Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, launched after the historic meeting between Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in 2019, continues to excel as a promoter of peace, unity, and dialogue around the world.
Aletihad spoke with the Award’s judges who helped shape the impact of the initiative: Macky Sall, former President of Senegal and former Chairperson of the African Union; and José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Former Prime Minister of Spain.
Sall emphasised that the award promotes peace, tolerance, and solidarity in Africa.
He highlighted that establishing peace is vital for African nations to focus on development areas such as infrastructure, energy, health, and trade.
Sall said: “It is in this spirit that I have worked consistently during my tenure as Chairperson of the African Union. Knowing the values that inspired the Zayed Award and the tremendous achievements of the United Arab Emirates only half a century after its creation, I am convinced that this is a source of inspiration for our countries.”
He pointed out that the leaders in Africa have the opportunity to enhance the principles of the award by fostering dialogue, investing in education that prioritises diversity, as well as backing grassroots initiatives.
He shared Senegal’s tradition of peaceful coexistence, saying: “Senegal has a long-standing tradition of peaceful coexistence among different communities, cultures and religions. We are a 95% Muslim country, and all the socio-ethnic and religious components of the country have always coexisted in peace, tolerance, mutual respect and fraternity. It is common to see in Senegal religious diversity in a single family; some get up to go to the mosque, others to church and others to celebrate the traditional religion inherited from their ancestors. It is in respect of our common heritage that I have led Senegal, supporting religious communities, including through the modernisation of religious cities, the construction and renovation of religious sites and buildings, including mosques and churches.”
Sall also stressed initiatives that promote social justice, such as supporting women’s and youth entrepreneurship.
He added: “I usually say that each country, each human society has its own metabolism and evolves according to this metabolism... But I am convinced that all human societies share common sense and can therefore find a common ground to collaborate together and live in peace and security.”
African nations can align policies through the encouragement of inclusive governance, the pursuit of social justice, coupled with fostering regional cooperation.
“I would say that Sheikh Zayed is undoubtedly one of the giants of history who have left their indelible mark on their era. We cannot all be like Sheikh Zayed, we cannot all walk with giant steps like him, but in Africa and around the world, each of us, at our own pace, can try to follow in his footsteps, drawing inspiration from his ideas and values,” he said.
For his part, Zapatero stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in global peace.
He shared his commitment to promoting peace, saying: “We must come together and listen to one another; we must tirelessly work to find common ground and understand our differences. Dialogue and mediation are laborious and difficult tasks that require patience and listening to others, but my personal experience tells me it is the only way forward.”
He stressed the role of world leaders as peacemakers and the need for UN reform to reflect new global dynamics.
The former Spanish PM also highlighted initiatives like the Alliance of Civilizations and the importance of educating young people in tolerance and different perspectives.
“If we work with different nations, cultures and faiths, we can only be richer and more successful as we can take advantage of lessons learned from many sides. The Zayed Award and the juries of the successive editions is a perfect way to bring together high-level visionaries, engaging them with individuals and organisations in different parts of the world and learning different practices and points of view,” he said.
“Every year the Zayed Award sends a strong message of commitment to working together.”
