The first-ever International Day of Human Fraternity

A landmark virtual conference took place last week to celebrate the first-ever International Day of Human Fraternity. Two of the main participants and recipients of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity were Pope Francis and Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, modeling for the world how people of different faith traditions can work together for peace among the nations. Pope Francis said during the event, “Fraternity is the new frontier for humanity. It is the challenge of our century, the challenge of our times. There is no time for indifference. Either we are brothers and sisters, or we will destroy each other. A world without fraternity is a world of enemies.”

You may recall that the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, also known as the Abu Dhabi declaration or agreement, was a joint statement signed by Pope Francis and Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar on Feb. 4, 2019. In the document they “declare the adoption of a culture of dialogue as the path; mutual cooperation as the code of conduct; reciprocal understanding as the method and standard.” And they asked all world leaders “to rediscover the values of peace, justice, goodness, beauty, human fraternity and coexistence in order to confirm the importance of these values as anchors of salvation for all, and to promote them everywhere.”

The designation of Feb. 4 as the International Day of Human Fraternity is the result of a United Nations General Assembly resolution. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres explained that this new commemoration was established because “around the world, deep-seated discrimination, acts of intolerance and hate crimes persist against people simply because of their religion or belief, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation.” At the event, the pope and imam were recognized for their respective efforts to advocate for peaceful resolution to conflict and for their advocacy of values outlined in the Document on Human Fraternity.

Speaking of the contributions of these two men, the Secretary-General said, “I thank both religious leaders for using their voice to promote interfaith dialogue, mutual respect and understanding across the faith spectrum. In these trying times, we need this spirit more than ever.”

Addressing the event from the Vatican, Pope Francis said, “To the Grand Imam Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb, I thank for the companionship during this journey of reflection and the writing of the document. I know it wasn’t an easy task but together we helped each other, consolidating in true fraternity.”

“Born from the same father, with different cultures and traditions, we are all brothers and sisters; and respecting our different cultures and traditions, our different citizenships, we must build this fraternity not negotiate it. It is time to listen and for sincere acceptance.”

The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar replied, “Firstly, I must begin by saying that His Holiness Pope Francis has been a courageous brother and constant friend on the path of fraternity and peace. Such efforts have seen the United Nations General Assembly adopting the anniversary of the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity. February fourth, to be the International Day of Human Fraternity, which will now encourage universal support in pursuing the spread of the intercultural dialogue, co-existence, and human fraternity. This is a victory for human dignity everywhere.”

A group that was born of the pope and imam’s signing of the document in 2019 is known as the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity. Under the patronage of the United Arab Emirates this group formed and dedicated itself to fostering harmonious coexistence through dialogue and understanding. The Secretary-General of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, added, “On this day of celebration for human fraternity, we are indeed honored to have received the support of two of the world’s most influential world leaders and previous honorees of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, united with a common message and purpose – to advance humanity as one family, undivided.”

It is wonderful to see the Holy Father join with one of the most prominent Muslim leaders in the world to model for us the path to mutual respect, honor, peace and fraternity. In this world all too often focused upon division and difference, it is nice to see people of religion moving humanity toward unity in all our diversity.