With Prominent Global Participation Featuring Heads Of State, Nobel Laureates, And UN Leaders: Sheikh Nahyan Inaugurates The Second Edition Of The Human Fraternity Majlis At The Abrahamic Family House

(MENAFN- Mid-East Info) Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates / February, 2025: His Excellency sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, said“As we celebrate the International Day of Human Fraternity, I would like to express our thanks and appreciation to the President, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed AlNahyan. With his strong support, the historic Document on Human Fraternity was issued in 2019 in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of His Holiness Pope Francis And His Eminence Grand Imam Ahmed El Tayeb. Subsequently, the United Nations recognized this important document by designating the 4th of February as International Human Fraternity Day. Under the wise leadership and guidance of the President, we are a country of peace and harmony – a country that promotes tolerance and fights intolerance – a country committed to achieving a peaceful pluralistic global society – and a country dedicated to the achievement of peace and progress for all peoples of the world. His Highness the President is a strong advocate of human fraternity and is committed to leading us towards a future where all human beings work diligently together in order to build a peaceful world, a safe world, and a prosperous world for all people everywhere. Thanks to his vision for our present and our future, we are a country that is, without a doubt, one of the most peaceful, prosperous, and tolerant countries in the world.”

His Excellency made these remarks during the inauguration of the second edition of the Human Fraternity Majlis, organized by the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity – in collaboration with the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence; the Muslim Council of Elders; Abrahamic Family House; the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity; and the World Summit of Nobel Laureates for Peace. In the presence of José Ramos-Horta , President of East Timor and Afra Al Sabri, Director-General of the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence, the event brought together world leaders, Nobel Prize laureates, policymakers, youth leaders, and changemakers from over 20 countries as part of the celebration of the sixth anniversary of the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity, to exchange ideas on solving global challenges to human fraternity.

The forum's speakers included: President of East Timor José Ramos-Horta; Deputy of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif H.Em. Professor Dr. Mohamed Al-Duweiny; Chairman of General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat H.E Omar Habtoor Al Darei; former president of the European Council Charles Michel; First Lady of Colombia Verónica del Socorro Alcocer García; Secretary-General of the Commonwealth the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland; and representatives of the Holy See and Al-Azhar.

During opening remarks, H.E. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan emphasized:“A Majlis that is open to all visitors is a cherished tradition in the United Arab Emirates. It is an expression of the Arab and Islamic concept of hospitality, getting to know one another, building consensus around major issues, and creating a spirit of community and solidarity. In that spirit, I welcome all of you to the second annual Human Fraternity Majlis. I commend your energy, your intellectual engagement, and your ideals, and I am excited to anticipate all the good that will come from this Majlis.”

“It is a great privilege to hold this Majlis at the Abrahamic Family House in celebration of the International Day of Human Fraternity. I am hopeful that this important symbol of our country's strong commitment to tolerance and human fraternity will be an especially motivating setting for all of us to be engines of tolerance and positive change in the world. His Excellency added.

Praising the inspiring messages of His Holiness Pope Francis, and His Eminence Grand Imam Ahmad El Tayeb, His Excellency said:“They call on us to work together in carrying out our shared responsibility for achieving tolerance, peace, and human fraternity in our world. We are strongly motivated by their strong conviction that peace and tolerance promote the qualities and experiences that unite-rather than divide-all people, and enables a collective pursuit of progress, wellbeing and happiness for all.”

Expanding on these important messages, His Excellency noted:“We are acutely aware that their call for tolerance, peace, and human fraternity is challenged by many regional and global conditions. Communities across the world face challenges regarding health, the environment, economic development, education, and international peace and understanding. Wars and conflicts persist. Cultural differences and economic difficulties derail cooperation in some cases and lead to harsh competition. Religious differences provoke suspicion, where it should promote appreciation for our common quest for spiritual fulfillment. It sometimes appears that our cultural, economic, political, and religious differences have become sources of intractable conflict, rather than the basis for mutual respect and a common ground for problem solving.”

“I am, however, very optimistic thanks to the spirit of the document of human fraternity and to the messages of hope we just heard from the Pope and the Grand Imam. There is indeed hope for a new era of tolerance and peace in our world. For this new era of peace and tolerance to take root, it is supremely urgent that we not only understand the bonds that unite us as members of a global community, but that we actively promote and re-enforce them. We must also work together to promote the inclusion of all regions of the world in the progress of humanity. We must work together to eradicate religious and cultural misunderstandings. We must encourage reform in our societies – eradicate poverty, achieve safety and security, and open economic opportunities to all citizens. We must unleash the full power of education as an effective tool for building positive relationships, dispelling stereotypical attitudes, and nurturing new ways of thinking. We must also celebrate successful models around the world that demonstrate that peace and tolerance within diverse human societies is a positive and creative force for development

and stability.” His Excellency expressed.

His Excellency also called on attendee's to remember the collective capacity to build peace, tolerance, and coexistence through united action. He emphasised that there is more that binds people together than separates them and that similarities far outweigh differences. He urged a commitment to finding the common ground necessary to heal and prevent the conflicts that afflict humanity. At the same time, he highlighted the importance of celebrating the tremendous advances made-the countless examples of cultural exchange, cooperation, and respect that embody the hope of a new era of peace and prosperity in the world. He expressed his hope that during the discussions, there would be consensus on the necessity of regional and international cooperation in achieving shared goals for the future of the world.

President of East Timor H.E. José Ramos-Horta said:“I would like to emphasize that human fraternity is a shared mission for all of us present here today and indeed for all of humanity. Promoting human fraternity requires all generations, all nations, all sectors of society to unite in solidarity and coexistence, we must patiently listen to each other and show empathy for the suffering of others, and engage in respectful communication.”

Secretary-General of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity H.E. Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam affrimed that the Human Fraternity Majlis aims to foster the exchange of ideas and perspectives to develop an effective strategy for implementing the principles outlined in the Document on Human Fraternity, which originated from Abu Dhabi, the capital of tolerance.

He highlighted that this historic document, signed by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and His Holiness Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church, has, since its signing in Abu Dhabi in 2019, sparked a global movement that has significantly contributed to promoting the values of dialogue, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence.

He emphasized that the United Arab Emirates, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Patron of the Document on Human Fraternity, stands as a pioneering model in spreading and advancing the values of human fraternity.

“The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity carries forward the values of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder of the United Arab Emirates, whose enduring humanitarian legacy continues to inspire generations.” He added.

He also expressed his deep appreciation for the efforts of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, whose actions and character truly reflect the essence of tolerance.

Commonwealth Secretary-General the Right Honorable Patricia Scotland KC, a member of the 2025 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity judging committee, stated that“it is incredibly important for those who believe in human fraternity to bind together with determination – it is by our deeds the world will know peace.”

First Lady of Colombia Verónica del Socorro Alcocer García said:“True human fraternity lies in unity, not division. Love is charity, but charity is more than material giving, it is listening and standing together as one. Dialogue is the path to resolution.”

Former President of the European Council and former Prime Minister of Belgium, H.E. Charles Michel said:“If we want to be fair and just, cultural diplomacy stands more important than ever. We need to encourage each other to listen actively to one another and only then will we be able to make well informed choices and decisions.”

Youth Leading the Charge for Unity and Peace:

The Majlis also spotlighted the role of youth as catalysts for change, with young participants sharing how they use their voices and platforms to promote unity and peace, both locally and globally.

Thirteen-year-old Ghaya al-Ahbabi, the youngest UNICEF youth advocate for COP28, addressed the majlis, saying:“I stand before you, representing the young people of today, who will be the leaders of tomorrow. Let us stand together and show the world that no matter where we come from, no matter our differences, we are all part of the same human family.”

The event reinforced the importance of collaboration and dialogue across people of all generations and backgrounds as fundamental tools for building a better, more unified world. Discussions reflected the ongoing commitment of the United Arab Emirates to uphold human fraternity as a guiding principle of peace and coexistence, focusing on the UAE as the birthplace of the Document on Human Fraternity and the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity.

Discussions – which included dialogue with a youth audience – centered around various key topics, most notably the role of diplomacy in bridging global divides and addressing global challenges, building inclusive societies, and empowering youth as future leaders of human fraternity.

About the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity:

The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity is an annual independent international award that recognizes people and entities of all backgrounds, anywhere in the world, who are working selflessly and tirelessly across divides to advance the timeless values of solidarity, integrity, fairness and optimism and create breakthroughs towards peaceful coexistence.

The award was launched in 2019 following the historic meeting in Abu Dhabi between His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb, during which they co-signed the Document on Human Fraternity.

The award is named in honor of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the United Arab Emirates, renowned for his humanitarianism and dedication to helping people no matter their background or place in the world.

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