Abdullah bin Zayed attends 4th Zayed Award for Human Fraternity

Abu Dhabi, The Gulf Observer: Under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation witnessed a ceremony honouring the winners of the 4th Zayed Award For Human Fraternity-2023.

The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity awarded the Community of Sant’Egidio organisation and Kenyan peace builder Shamsa Abubakar Fadhil as co-honorees of the 2023 award.

Now in its fourth edition, the award recognises honourees from around the world for their contributions to building a more peaceful, and compassionate world based on the values of human fraternity.

The awards ceremony coincides with the International Day of Human Fraternity, which is unanimously recognised by the UN in acknowledgment of the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, also known as the Abu Dhabi Declaration, signed by Pope Francis of the Catholic Church and Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar.

In order to further promote brotherhood and peaceful coexistence, the Zayed Prize for Human Fraternity this year focused on the theme of hope as a value and message.
Grand Imam of Azhar, Dr. Mohamed Ahmed El-Tayeb, and Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church, delivered two virtual speeches during the ceremony, and greeted the 2023 prize winners.

Pope Francis said: “While we share feelings of fraternity with one another, we are urged to promote a culture of peace that encourages dialogue, mutual understanding, solidarity, sustainable development, and inclusion.

“I thank all those who join our fraternal journey, and I encourage them to commit themselves to the cause of peace and to respond to the concrete problems and needs of the marginalised, the poor, the defenceless, and those in need of our assistance.”

The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity represents a glimmer of hope and a source of inspiration for all those who love goodness and peace around the world, according to the Grand Imam, Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb. “There is no doubt that the path of human fraternity is full of challenges and difficulties,” he said.
“In this regard, I would like to thank everyone who contributed to our work on this award, which has become a global platform for presenting shining models that join the march of human fraternity, and support the efforts made to keep easing the suffering of the weak, the oppressed, and the poor for a more peaceful, just, and fraternal life,” the Grand Imam added.