UAE Reaffirms Commitment to Tolerance on International Day of Human Fraternity
Abu Dhabi, The Gulf Observer: The United Arab Emirates is marking the International Day of Human Fraternity by reaffirming its global role in promoting tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and equality among all people, regardless of religion, culture, or background.
The occasion commemorates the historic signing of the Human Fraternity Document on February 4, 2019, in Abu Dhabi—an event that has since served as a catalyst for numerous international initiatives aimed at fostering dialogue and bridging religious and cultural divides worldwide.
Since its signing, the document has inspired several landmark initiatives in the UAE, most notably the Abrahamic Family House on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi. The complex brings together a mosque, a church, and a synagogue under one roof, symbolising interfaith harmony and mutual respect.
Another key initiative stemming from the Human Fraternity Document is the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, one of the UAE’s most prominent recognitions dedicated to advancing the values of tolerance, coexistence, and human solidarity. The award holds special significance as it is named in honour of the UAE’s late founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
In its seventh edition in 2026, the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity honoured Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, in recognition of the historic peace agreement between the two countries. The award also recognised Afghan girls’ education advocate Zarqa Yaftali and the Palestinian humanitarian non-profit organisation Taawon for their contributions to human welfare and coexistence.
The UAE further contributes to global peacebuilding efforts through initiatives such as the Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace, which addresses pressing humanitarian challenges arising from intellectual and sectarian conflicts within Muslim societies.
In addition, the UAE annually organises the Global Tolerance and Human Fraternity Conference. This year’s edition was held under the theme “Human Fraternity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” and featured the participation of more than 180 international speakers, alongside over 400 religious leaders, thinkers, and participants from around the world.
