What does it mean for a young peacebuilder from North Bekaa, Lebanon, to receive the International Bremen Peace Award? In this personal reflection, Mahdi Yahya shares the people, places, conversations, and emotions that shaped an unforgettable journey through Bremen.

Lebanon stands at a fragile crossroads where deepening divisions and mutual accusations threaten the foundations of civil peace. In this article, Mahdi Yahya examines the risks of polarization, reflects on lessons from Lebanon’s history, and highlights the importance of dialogue, interreligious understanding, and civic responsibility in preserving social cohesion.