International Day of Human Fraternity (February 4): A Global Day to Appreciate Differences and Promote Dialogue

H.E. Dr. Bader Almatrooshi, UAE Ambassador to Vietnam

International Day of Human Fraternity was inspired by the global reaction to the historic signing of the Document on Human Fraternity by two of the world’s great religious leaders, His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in February 4, 2019.

The day is an annual celebration of interreligious and intercultural dialogue, tolerance and acceptance, and compassion and solidarity; it is also a call to put these values – outlined in the Document on Human Fraternity – into action, in order to build a more peaceful world.

The Higher Committee of Human Fraternity (HCHF) was established on August 15, 2019. It is a distinguished group of religious, cultural and education leaders, coming from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds.

HCHF is an independent international committee instituted to promote human fraternity values in communities around the world and to fulfill the aspirations of the Document on Human Fraternity.

While the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity works to advance values of human fraternity throughout the year, International Day of human Fraternity aims to draw public awareness to human fraternity on the anniversary of the historic signing of the Document on Human Fraternity.

International, regional and local events are held on the UN-recognized international day, which serves as a time to reflect on how people of all backgrounds are members of the same human family and make valuable contributions to the world.

Inspired by the meeting between His Holiness Pope Francis and Grand Imam Al-Tayeb, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE, allocates a plot of land on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi to build an Abrahamic Family House – a concrete implementation and physical manifestation of the Document on Human Fraternity.

The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity is an independent global award, granted by the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity and includes a financial prize of $1 million. It is awarded annually on February 4, the International Day for Human Fraternity. The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity recognizes individuals, organizations, and other entities for their profound contributions to human fraternity. The winner(s) are honored at a ceremony convened in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The award was established in February 2019 to mark the historic meeting in Abu Dhabi between the head of the Catholic Church, His Holiness Pope Francis, and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, His Eminence Professor Ahmed Al-Tayeb, where the two great figures signed the Document on Human Fraternity. Pope Francis and Grand Imam Al-Tayeb were the first honorary recipients of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity. The award is named in honor of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the late ruler of Abu Dhabi and founder of the United Arab Emirates, whose values of humility, humanitarianism, and respect epitomize the enduring ideals the award seeks to celebrate.

On this special occasion, I would like to inspire all people to live the values of human fraternity. We believe the values of the Document on Human Fraternity are key to promoting peace on all levels: between individuals, organizations, nations, and even between humanity and the environment. As our increasingly fragmented world continues to suffer from extremism and intolerance, our innovative initiatives aim to put human fraternity values into action by inspiring leaders and empowering youth, women, and vulnerable communities, to pursue and realize a more peaceful future.

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