named programs · 1 · from sources
What they call their work
Middle East Peace Blog
Online platform publishing essays and commentary to promote understanding of Middle Eastern cultures and advocate for peace
activities · 9 groups
What they do
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Human Rights Advocacy & Accountability 1 activity
- Advocating for the end of wars, sanctions, and embargoes in the Middle EastConducts advocacy campaigns focused on ending U.S.-involved wars and economic sanctions in the Middle East, particularly advocating for policy changes regarding Iran, Iraq, and Syria, as part of its humanitarian and peace mission.
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Leadership & Policy Dialogue Forums 1 activity
- Co-sponsoring international peacemaking seminarsCo-hosted a seminar on peacemaking with Iran in New York on July 24, 2026, bringing together stakeholders to discuss peacebuilding strategies.
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Direct Clinical Care Delivery 1 activity
- Conducting humanitarian visits to Iraq to deliver relief supplies and raise awareness about sanctionsCarried out six humanitarian missions to Iraq between 1996 and 2003 to deliver aid and document the impact of U.S. economic sanctions, particularly on children, as part of broader peacemaking efforts.
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Deployed Troop and Veteran Care Packages 1 activity
- Facilitating holiday card exchanges between Americans and civilians in conflict-affected regionsOrganizes the delivery of hand-written holiday cards from Americans to civilians in Iraq, Syria, and Palestine, and facilitates reciprocal greetings, with documented exchanges occurring in Baghdad, Damascus, Aleppo, and Bethlehem.
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Cultural Exchange and Mutual Understanding Programs 1 activity
- Hosting virtual educational seminars and events on peace and cross-cultural understandingOrganizes interactive Zoom seminars, literary presentations, and discussions featuring artists, poets, and peacebuilders from Iraq, Palestine, North Korea, and Iran, including Q&A sessions and distribution of study materials to promote dialogue and cultural awareness.
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Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 1 activity
- Organizing and hosting art exhibits featuring artists from conflict-affected regionsCurates and hosts art exhibitions in cities including Washington, DC, New York City, Bethesda, and Raleigh, showcasing works by Iraqi and Syrian refugee artists and attracting hundreds of visitors interested in Middle Eastern culture and resilience.
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Interfaith Dialogue & Peacebuilding 1 activity
- Organizing prayer initiatives focused on civilians in conflict zonesCoordinates prayer events centered on civilians in Aleppo and Damascus during religious holidays such as Easter, as part of its spiritual peacemaking efforts.
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Geopolitical Media Analysis and Reporting 1 activity
- Publishing analysis on U.S.-Middle East conflicts and media representationProduces and disseminates analytical content on the U.S.-Iran conflict and broader media narratives surrounding Middle Eastern issues to inform public understanding and support peace efforts.
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Artist Marketplace Operations 1 activity
- Supporting Iraqi refugee artists through art acquisition and reinvestmentPurchases paintings from Iraqi refugee artists in Damascus, exhibits and sells them in New York, and reinvests proceeds to sustainably support the acquisition of additional artworks.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$12K
Contributions & grants$5K39%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$4K
expenses
Total expenses$8K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
balance sheet
Total assets$2K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$-9K
3 years on record · 2021–2024 · YoY revenue +13.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 2
- Mel Lehman — Director
- Steve Troyer — Board Member
relationships · 23
Who they work with
- Al Jazeera Partner — Referenced as a media source in analysis of Middle Eastern affairs.
- Bethlehem Bible College Partner — Hosted visitor and facilitated participation in student-led chapel services and card exchange activities.
- Busboys and Poets Partner — Hosted an art exhibit in Washington, DC from November 2018 to February 2019.
- Danya Kubba Partner — Iraqi artist whose works have been included in Common Humanity exhibits.
- Dar Al-Kalima Lutheran School Partner — Engaged with staff and students during visit, affirming their Christian faith and educational mission.
- Hope School for disadvantaged children Partner — Visited and acknowledged the work of the school founded by Mennonite Central Committee.
- IA&A Hillyer Partner — Hosted an art exhibit in Washington, DC during summer 2019.
- LUKE 10 Partner — Works with LUKE 10, an organization devoted to building peace with Iran.
- Local Muslim Community Partner — Co-hosted an art exhibit in Raleigh, North Carolina in May 2016.
- Lubna Mousa Partner — Collaborates with Iraqi-Canadian artist Lubna Mousa to lead educational seminars on art, culture, and peace.
- Majid Hashem Partner — Iraqi artist whose works have been included in Common Humanity exhibits for the past 15 years.
- Manhattan Mennonite Partner — Partners to host and share virtual art tours and related content via Facebook.
- Manhattan Mennonite Fellowship Partner — Co-sponsored the Iran Peacemaking Seminar with Common Humanity.
- Manhattan Mennonite Fellowship Partner — Partner supporting Common Humanity's peacemaking work.
- Mennonite Central Committee Partner — Collaborates with MCC-affiliated peacemakers such as Doug Hostetter and Ed Martin.
- Mennonite Central Committee Partner — Collaborates with individuals affiliated with Mennonite Central Committee on peacemaking initiatives.
- National Institutes of Health Partner — Hosted an art exhibit in Bethesda, Maryland during spring 2019.
- PressTV Partner — References PressTV as a source in blog content.
- Raleigh Mennonite Church Partner — Co-hosted an art exhibit in Raleigh, North Carolina in May 2016.
- Samaritan's Purse Partner — Referenced in a blog post titled "Samaritan's Purse and the Parable of the Good Muslim," indicating engagement or commentary on their work.
- Second Presbyterian Church Partner — Hosted multiple art exhibits featuring refugee artists in New York City.
- Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock Partner — Hosted an art exhibit in Long Island, New York.
- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Partner — Facilitated contact with Iraqi refugee artists in Damascus.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Cultural Understanding as a Pathway to Peacemethodology: cultural-understanding-for-peaceBy fostering cultural understanding through interfaith exchange, dialogue, and shared human experiences, the organization produces peacebuilding outcomes because recognition of shared humanity reduces dehumanization and fosters empathy across political and religious divides.
- Cultural-Economic Solidaritymethodology: cultural-economic solidarityBy selling art from refugee and conflict-affected artists, the organization promotes peace because economic support tied to cultural expression affirms dignity, sustains communities, and transforms aid into mutual relationship rather than charity.
- Empathy Through Suffering and Artistic Expressionmethodology: empathy-through-sufferingBy centering personal stories, art, and narratives from conflict zones, the organization generates moral insight and public empathy because exposure to human resilience and suffering disrupts dominant media narratives and fosters compassion where policy and discourse fail.
- Grassroots and Relational Diplomacymethodology: track-ii-diplomacyBy building sustained interpersonal relationships, symbolic acts of solidarity, and academic collaboration between Americans and Middle Easterners—especially Iranians and Palestinians—the organization advances peace because trust formed at the interpersonal level creates durable counter-narratives to state-level conflict and militarized responses.
- Media and Narrative Transformationmethodology: counter_narrative_through_dialogueBy analyzing media, amplifying peaceful narratives, and challenging dominant conflict-focused discourse, the organization shifts public perception because reframing the story of the Middle East from violence to resilience and coexistence enables new possibilities for policy and engagement.