HE the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Prof. Ahmad At-Tayyeb greeted HM King Abdullah II of Jordan and his wife HM Queen Rania, and Haitian humanitarian Foundation for Knowledge and Liberty (FOKAL) for their nomination as Zayed Award for Human Fraternity (ZAHF) 2022 honorees. The Grand Imam confirmed that they represented a distinguished role model of fraternity and coexistence. During his speech in celebration of the ZAHF 3rd round honorees, today, Monday, at picturesque setting of Zayed Memorial in Abu Dhabi, the Grand Imam applauded the efforts of HM King Abdullah II in advocating interfaith dialogue, preserving Islamic and Christian sanctuaries in Jerusalem, and constantly supporting the vulnerable citizens among the distressed Palestinian people. 

HE also commended Jordan and the generous Jordanian people for hosting several refugees fleeing injustice and oppression, harsh life and usurpation of homelands. The Grand Imam also commended HM Queen Rania’s participation in these charitable deeds and her forceful engagement in caring for women, children, and the underprivileged, and in promoting fraternity and love among people.

On the other hand, the Grand Imam expressed appreciation of FOKAL and the people of Haiti who have long struggled to restore human dignity and persevered in the face of injustice, slavery and tyranny. He affirmed that FOKAL well deserved the award for their sincere efforts in serving the chivalrous Haitian people, who have been suffering much from the tragedies of poverty and environmental disasters. He then praised the hard work of FOKAL President, Mrs. Michèle Pierre-Louis, towards promoting the values of human fraternity and finding solutions to social, environmental, and humanitarian crises in Haiti.

The Grand Imam sent a message of thanks and appreciation to HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, for his sponsorship of the Human Fraternity Document, his support for the functioning of the HCHF, his sincere commitment, and his true belief in human fraternity. He explained that the International Zayed Award for Human Fraternity is a source of inspiration for all lovers of coexistence and brotherhood everywhere on earth. It represents a celebration of the values embedded in the Human Fraternity Document and the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the wise founder of the United Arab Emirates (May his soul rest in peace).

The Grand Imam expressed his pleasure to witness the Human Fraternity Document continue its path and grow day by day, making its way with steady steps and a tangible effect in attracting all lovers of goodness and peace to participate in this charitable journey. Such a journey was initiated with the cosigning of the Human Fraternity Document by the Grand Imam and Pope Francis in Abu Dhabi in 2019.

The Grand Imam concluded his speech accentuating the need for religious and political figures in the world to unite in support of the principles of human fraternity, foster its noble progress and stand together in the face of unjust wars, hate speech and racism, insolence, and selfishness.

Finally, the Grand Imam expressed his deep thanks and appreciation to all members of ZAHF jury for their hard work in commitment to the values of human fraternity.

On another note, the ZAHF awarding ceremony witnessed the participation of HH Pope Francis, Pope of the Catholic Church, HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr. Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General, ZAHF jury members, HCHF members and a group of prominent UAE personalities.