In his speech at the International Human Fraternity (HFD) Day celebration, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar: “The HFD signing is a global historic event that sends a message of peace to humanity”.
The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Prof. Aḥmad Aṭ-Ṭayyeb said, “The Human Fraternity Document (HFD) celebration today represents a two-year-old ‘historic global event’ that heralds the launch of a message of peace by wise people to the entire humanity. The message calls for brotherhood, cooperation, cessation of wars, promotion of tolerance and harmony, and renouncement of intolerance, hatred, power policies and arrogance.” The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar has greeted Pope Francis, the Pope of the Catholic Church, describing him as a virtuous brother and permanent friend who is courageous on the path of brotherhood and peace. He has also thanked the Pope for his Encyclical, “Fratelli tutti” (All brothers and sisters) which represented a milestone on the path of brotherhood and peace. His Eminence has also called on everyone to join up in the HFD initiative, with an open heart and a hand outstretched with affection and peace, and to line up behind its principles of brotherhood, freedom, equality and justice among people, and all the great universal values and morals embedded in this document.
The Grand Imam affirmed that the UN General Assembly, with the unanimous consent of its members, has adopted the declaration of February 4 as an annual International Human Fraternity Day. Such adoption is a global support for all the sincere efforts seeking to promote the culture of coexistence and brotherhood, and to combat discrimination, racism and hatred. It is a victory for the dignity of the human being, no matter what his religion, gender, color, or location may be.
His Eminence has expressed his hope that February 4 would be an annual warning and an alarm bell awakening the world and alerting its leaders to draw their attention to the necessity of consolidating the principles of human brotherhood. He also added that realizing this document and its application to the reality of people requires a sincere will, a solid determination, and a firm belief that all people are equal brothers and sisters. They have the right to live in peace and security. The difference and diversity among people are due to Allah’s Wisdom in his Creation.
The Grand Imam has added, “As long as I’m still alive, I am committed to keep working with my brother Pope Francis, and with my brothers the scholars and symbols of religions, and indeed with all those who love goodness and peace, to make the principles and goals of HFD a tangible reality in which old and young people live all over the world, Allah willing.”
Al-Azhar Grand Imam has also expressed his deep appreciation to the honorable brother Sheikh Muḥammad Bin Zāyed who continues his father’s benevolent journey, for his sponsorship of this document, and his sincere support of the initiatives to consolidate, and promote it all over the world. He has pointed out that the ZAHF comes as a global initiative in order to achieve the HFD goals. The prize bears the name of this Arab leader who did not only establish a modern state, but also built a distinct approach for coexistence, and a model for pluralism and tolerance.
In the conclusion of his speech, the Grand Imam praised the efforts made and the work done by the members of the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity (HCHF) for which they worked day and night to implement the goals of this noble document. For its sake, they have launched many initiatives that cross the barriers of differences and borders, despite Covid-19 pandemic that the world is now facing, with all its complications. His Eminence also called for the continuation of these good efforts with all partners to achieve this noble goal. He thanked everyone supporting the work of the committee and facilitating the mission of its members for the sake of humanity and its welfare.
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. Our fellow brothers and sisters all over the world!
Our celebration of Human Fraternity Document (HFD) represents celebration of a two-year-old ‘historic global event’ that heralds the launch of a message of peace by wise people to the entire humanity; a message that calls for brotherhood, cooperation, cessation of wars, and promotion of tolerance and harmony, and renouncement of intolerance, hatred, power policies and arrogance.
Let me first send to Pope Francis, the Pope of the Catholic Church, a greeting mixed with respect and appreciation as a virtuous brother and permanent friend who is courageous on the path of brotherhood and peace. He has also thanked the Pope for his Encyclical, “Fratelli tutti” (All brothers and sisters) which represented a milestone on the path of brotherhood and peace. I also call on everyone to join up in the HFD initiative, with an open heart and a hand outstretched with affection and peace, and to line up behind its principles of brotherhood, freedom, equality and justice among people, and all the great universal values and morals embedded in this document. The UN General Assembly unanimous adoption of February 4 as an annual International Human Fraternity Day is a global support for all the sincere efforts seeking to promote the culture of coexistence and brotherhood, and to combat discrimination, racism, and hatred. It is a victory for the dignity of the human being, no matter what his religion, gender, color, or location may be.
I certainly hope that February 4 would be an annual warning and an alarm bell awakening the world and alerting its leaders to draw their attention to the necessity of consolidating the principles of human brotherhood. He also added that realizing this document and its application to the reality of people requires a sincere will, a solid determination, and a firm belief that all people are equal brothers and sisters. They have the right to live in peace and security. The difference and diversity among people are due to Allah’s Wisdom in his Creation. As long as I’m still alive, I shall remain committed to keep working with my brother Pope Francis, and with my brothers, the scholars and symbols of religions, and indeed with all those who love goodness and peace, to make the principles and goals of HFD a tangible reality in which old and young people live all over the world. The Zayed Human Fraternity Award bears the name of the Arab leader who did not only establish a modern state, but also built a distinct approach for coexistence, and a model for pluralism and tolerance. So, I would like to express my deep appreciation to the honorable brother, Sheikh Muhammad Bin Zayed, who pursues his father’s benevolent journey, for his sponsorship of this document, and his sincere support of the initiatives to consolidate and promote it all over the world.
Finally, I would like to greet my fellows Higher Committee for Human Fraternity (HCHF) members who keep working day and night to implement the goals of this noble document. For its sake, they have launched many initiatives that cross the barriers of differences and borders, despite Covid-19 pandemic that the world is now facing, with all its complications. I would thus encourage and sustain them, calling to continue these good efforts, along with all partners, towards achieving this noble goal. I sincerely hope that they always constitute a glimmer of hope and a source of inspiration for all those who tread this difficult path. My sincere thanks and appreciation go to all those who support the work of the committee and facilitate its mission for the sake of humanity and its welfare.
Thanks to you and may Allah’s Peace, Mercy and Blessings be with you!