Al-Azhar Grand Imam expresses appreciation for efforts of Zayed Award Judging Committee

 

Al-Azhar Grand Imam, Prof. Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, congratulated the winners of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity 2024, through a televised speech during the ceremony honoring the winners held at the Founder's Memorial in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, and a number of thought, religion, and political leaders from around the world.

 

Congratulating Dr. Magdi Yacoub, the Grand Imam said: "Sir Magdi Yacoub, Doctor of Hearts, I extend my heartfelt congratulations on your well-deserved receipt of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity. You have set an example by investing the knowledge and skill God has blessed you with in saving children from certain perils, and providing them with opportunities for a new decent life. You have also set an example of altruism and self-denial, rising above self-interests, and giving priority to the interest of the needy heart patients. You have always been a role model for serving your fellow compatriots as well as all humans, so I congratulate you on this award, which will continue to be a true witness to your local, regional and global achievements, and you will always remain a source of pride for every Egyptian and Arab.

 

 

 

His Eminence also congratulated Sister Nelly León Correa, a women's rights activist from Chile, on the victory of her foundation (Resilient Women Foundation) with the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity. His Eminence noted that he was briefed on a range of her commendable and appreciated efforts in the fields of supporting and sponsoring women in Chile, especially those behind bars in prisons, and providing them with assistance to restore their confidence, preserve their rights and dignity, meet their needs and the needs of their families and provide shelters for those who are unable to live again.  He added: "Congratulations to you for this well-deserved award, congratulations to humanity for having you, and I wish you and your organization more success in the future."

 

The Sheikh of Al-Azhar also congratulated Nahdlatul Ulama Association and the Muhammadiyah Association from the beloved Republic of Indonesia, for winning the Zayed Prize for Human Fraternity this year. His Eminence stressed that the award came as a culmination of the efforts of the two major institutions in the fields of humanitarian work and peacebuilding locally, regionally and globally, and the development of Indonesian society by financing the construction of schools and hospitals, managing charitable projects and supporting the poor and needy. He offered special congratulations to Dr. Haider Nasser, President of the Muhammadiyah Association, and Mr. Yahya Khalil Stakov, President of Nahdlatul Ulama. He added, "I congratulate the Indonesian people and congratulate you once again because your blessed associations have received the award. I pray to God to bless your efforts, and to reconcile your endeavors to work for the good of your country and the good of humanity. I hope that we continue working together to make the poor, needy and vulnerable happy, alleviate their suffering and preserve their dignity." 

 

The Grand Imam also expressed his sincere appreciation and gratitude to the members of the Zayed Award Judging Committee, who continued and mastered the work in order to stimulate motivation by excavating the achievements of individuals and institutions around the world. The committee seek to select the most prominent humanitarian projects aimed at motivating young people and encouraging them to spread the principles of brotherhood and providing inspiring models to be an example for everyone to follow.

 

This year's Zayed Award Judging Committee included Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Emeritus Dean of the Vatican Department of the Eastern Churches, Ms. Rebecca Greenspan Majovic, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Mr. Abraham Cooper, President of the American Commission on International Religious Freedom, Ms. Irina Bokova, former Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Elders.