In a world often marked by division and individualism, the power of collective action remains an indomitable force for positive change. Doctor Michel Daher, a Lebanese entrepreneur and philanthropist, embodies this philosophy through his groundbreaking work in cultural celebration and humanitarian aid. I am Michel Daher, a Lebanese national born and raised in Beirut.
After completing my schooling in Lebanon, I pursued my dream of becoming a dentist by studying in Russia and Ukraine. Upon returning to my homeland, I embarked on my dental career, eventually opening my own clinic and later expanding to establish a polyclinic housing eleven medical specialists. It was a proud achievement, the realisation of a long-held ambition.
But alongside my dental practice, I nurtured another passion — a desire to create something that would bring joy and celebration to people’s lives. This took the form of organising charity festivals, an endeavour I undertook simply for the love of it. The turning point came with the Beirut International Award Festival, which I launched with the goal of honouring outstanding achievers in Lebanon and beyond.
From the outset, the festival enjoyed the patronage of the President of Lebanon. BIAF went from strength to strength, reaching its zenith under the patronage of Prime Minister Saad Hariri from the fourth edition onwards. The success of BIAF caught the attention of the authorities in Dubai, particularly the Atlantis hotel, who approached us to bring the event to the UAE.
Thus was born the Dubai International Arab Festival Awards, which recently completed its eighth edition. Today, DIAFA is broadcast live across 12 television channels. The most gratifying moments in my journey have been the quietest ones — the nod of approval from the President, the launch of a new charitable initiative, the whispered words of thanks from someone whose life we have touched.
Through our CSR initiative Together for a Better Tomorrow, we have made a tangible difference — providing scholarships for Lebanese students, delivering bionic limbs to those maimed in conflict, and raising funds for the children of Gaza. If I had to distil my philosophy into a single phrase, it would be the one that has become the unofficial mantra of DIAFA and BIAF: together we achieve a goal. It is a recognition that no one gets to the top alone, that every success is built on a foundation of collaboration and mutual support.