His Eminence, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, with the participation of the world elders and peace-loving people, made strenuous efforts to find common ground that would allow peaceful coexistence between different races and beliefs. These noble efforts resulted in the “Human Fraternity Document” (HFD), as the fruit of a joint work and continuous dialogue that lasted for more than a year and a half between the Grand Imam and the Pope of the Vatican. The HFD reflects the vision of both figures on the relationship between the followers of religions, and the expected position and role of religions in our contemporary world. The HFD was cosigned in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and a constellation of international religious and political leaders.

His Eminence the Grand Imam thanked Pope Francis, Pope of the Catholic Church, describing him as “a venerable brother and a permanent friend on the path of fraternity and peace”. He also thanked him for his encyclical titled, “Frattelli Tutti (All brothers)”, which constituted a milestone on the path of fraternity and peace.

He also maintained that the door is wide open for all to join the “Human Fraternity Document”.

His Eminence expressed his hope that the fourth of February would be an alarm bell that awakens the world and alerts its leaders, drawing their attention to the necessity of consolidating the principles of human fraternity. Hence, they would work to transform these principles into a reality embracing all.

His Eminence also expressed his great appreciation to the honorable brother Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, who continues his father’s charitable journey in sponsoring the HFD, supporting it with all due sincerity and devoutness, and offering initiatives to consolidate it and promote its principles all over the world. He then noted that the Zayed Human Fraternity Award represents a global initiative that helps in achieving the goals of the HFD.

The cosigning of the Human Fraternity Document by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and the Pope of the Vatican comes within the framework of the two great religious leaders’ belief in dialogue and understanding as a basis for solving the various problems arising between individuals and peoples alike.