Our Founder and His Mission

Faisal Saeed Al Mutar was born in 1991 and grew up in Baghdad. He survived the Iraq War and years of civil war, enduring kidnappings and the murder of his brother. Arriving in the United States as a refugee in 2013, he vowed to protect others similarly vulnerable to the destructive forces of authoritarianism and extremism. Faisal created Ideas Beyond Borders to help make the world a safer and better place.
Understanding how front page terror attacks are just the face of a deep and spreading global scourge, Faisal brings his personal experience, knowledge, and passion to the core mission of IBB: to prevent extremism before it takes root. Through global programs that empower the vulnerable with disruptive ideas and opportunities to question extremist dogma, Faisal and IBB encourage people to ask questions and explore positive options.
Our 2018 Annual Report
2018ANNUALOur Advisory Board
Ideas Beyond Borders is guided by an internationally renowned group of academics, diplomats, and experts, including Dr. Steven Pinker of Harvard University. With their counsel, IBB continues to develop and implement programs that bring about positive change.