Mahdi Yahya
He/Him
Lebanon
Founder and Chairman of Peace of Art (PoA)
Profile
Mahdi Yahya grew up in Lebanon, where he was unable to study music, as there was no music academy in the region. He said, facing discrimination as a child, he was driven by a desire for a universal language that would facilitate connection and foster a secure environment for all. He discovered his passion for music and art as a means of promoting peace. His deep belief in the transformative power of art and education led Mahdi to found the organisation Peace of Art in 2016. The organisation aims to promote peace, dialogue, community acceptance, and creativity through art and education, all with the goal of uniting people. Peace of Art runs various projects combatting discrimination, sexual violence, and gender-based violence, providing activities that teach peaceful coexistence, acceptance of others, and conflict resolution. Mahdi hopes his work will heal individuals, nurture understanding, and shift mindsets by encouraging people to share and listen to one another’s stories. His efforts have gained recognition, including an invitation to speak about democracy at the European Union Parliament during the International Day of Democracy in 2018, where he highlighted the mission and achievements of Peace of Art.
Story
Mahdi Yahya addresses sensitive issues within his community, ensuring his organisation’s programmes are carefully tailored to align with the local attitudes and cultural values. The organisation’s approach focuses on creating a safe and welcoming space where professionally trained team members actively listen to the needs and concerns of the community. Mahdi emphasises that designing programmes to fit the specific needs of the region is essential for achieving a truly community-based approach. While he acknowledges the progress made in peacebuilding, he remains aware of the work that is ahead of him. He said that the organisation seeks to extinguish fires of sectarianism, discrimination, racism, extremism, and hate. The small but effective drops of water to douse these fires are art. ‘It’s giving a musical instrument to a person instead of a weapon.’ Mahdi believes art is a universal language and a powerful path to peace, capable of fostering balance and harmony within society.
Despite its successes, Peace of Art has faced numerous challenges. The organisation struggled to gain official registration in Lebanon, and encountered widespread scepticism about the feasibility of peacebuilding. Many in the region viewed violence and weapons as the only means to make one’s voice heard, presenting a significant obstacle to changing mindsets. Gaining parents’ trust to enrol their children in the organisation’s programmes was another hurdle, as art was not always seen as a worthy pursuit. However, Mahdi said that if you believe in your vision, you can achieve your goals. His message to fellow young peacebuilders is that anyone has the potential to be a peacebuilder and create a substantial change at both local and global levels. He also highlights the interconnected nature of global issues, likening them to a butterfly effect, explaining that problems in one country inevitably affect others – ‘If you don't do anything now, probably tomorrow you will get the effect.’
Mahdi also stresses the importance of breaking stereotypes as a cornerstone of peacebuilding and sees dialogue as a powerful tool for achieving this. His approach is not to tell people what is wrong, but to present situations through conversation, allowing individuals to draw their own conclusions.
He said that dialogue has the power to create significant change, and art serves as a foundation for fostering such discussions. Allowing young people to express themselves through art helps break down preconceived differences and fosters mutual acceptance. Mahdi has witnessed individuals with contrasting ideologies progress from not wanting to talk to each other to creating a theatre piece together and forming friendships. That is the power of art. It is all about accepting others’ opinions. ‘This is the most important. This is how you bring peace. That’s it.’