Middle East Beyond Religion, Beyond Race

Middle East Beyond Religion, Beyond Race:

A Vision for the Region to go beyond Religionism and Racism

Purpose

The Middle East Beyond Religion, Beyond Race (MEBR) aims to inspire all levels of Middle Eastern society—from grassroots to academia and activists—to envision a future for the region built on dignity, unity, and progress, and to align their thoughts and actions with this vision. The goal is to build a network of individuals and organisations from the region who share the view that the future of the Middle East depends on transcending the barriers of religionism and racism and are willing to support this vision by encouraging open dialogue and education. MEBR is founded on the view that, trough historical heritage, art, music, and literature, a sense of common identity and shared destiny can be fostered among the people of the region.
People of the Middle East share a common past and a collective future. Our destinies are intertwined, and the only way to end the misery that has plagued the region is by recognising that we are in this together.

Core Values

– Beyond Religion, Beyond Race: moving past the divisions that religion and race have historically created, embracing the truth that we are all one.
– Peace over Hatred: focus on spreading peace, rather than fighting against hate and radicalism.
– High Human Virtues over Racism and Religionism: it is high human qualities expressed in art, music, and literature that should unite us, not the divisive elements of religion and race.
– Unity over Tribalism: We have gone too far in emphasising the differences among us. It is time to focus on the common ground we share, rather than allowing our smallest differences to divide us.

Vision

Make the Middle East Great Again: envision a Middle East that thrives in peace, prosperity, and cultural richness—rooted in the unity of its people, not divided by religious and ethnic differences.

Religionism and racism have always been the main drivers of hatred and division in the Middle East. It is time for us to rise above these forces and come together in the name of peace, understanding, and shared prosperity.

The path to meaningful change runs through the grassroots of our societies, not through politicians and rulers of our countries. We should envision the day when we, as a people, prioritise humanity and kindness over religious and ethnic attachments.

Mission

Beyond Religion Beyond Race aims to restore the spirit of progress and revival that existed in the Middle East before 1975 by learning from both our ancient and more recent past through:

– Education and Awareness: We need to strive to learn and teach about both the ancient and recent history of the Middle East to foster a deeper understanding of our shared heritage.

– Cultural Revival: We can reignite interest in the arts, literature, music, and the intellectual legacy of the region, using culture as a means of fostering unity. By exploring and sharing the rich cultural and intellectual history of the Middle East, we can build connections that transcend religious and ethnic divides.

Who Can Support this Vision?

This vision for the Middle East can be realised by those from the region who are willing to set aside religious and racial attachments for the greater good of the Middle East. Religions often foster a belief in their own superiority, just as racial superiority drives division. If you cannot separate yourself from these attachments, if yo hold hatred for Arabs, Jews, Persians, Kurds, Turks or any other people, this idea may not be for you. This cause requires individuals whose hearts beat for the entire Middle East, from Iran and Iraq to Egypt, and from Turkey and Syria to Israel and Palestine. The region can only be liberated from its doomed fate when we embrace Persians, Arabs, Jews, and Turks alike.

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