Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity continues to inspire the world to reinforce values of human fraternity and champion global cooperation as it recognises individuals who dedicate their lives to build bridges for peace, tolerance and coexistence, said the jury members of the award.
In an interview with Aletihad, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Zayed Award, said: "The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity is an independent global prize that recognises individuals and institutions for their outstanding contributions to advancing the values of human fraternity. It honours those who exemplify a life dedicated to compassion, love, courage, and a deep commitment to fostering peaceful coexistence. The award is named after the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founder of the United Arab Emirates, God rest his soul, in recognition of his humanitarian legacy, leadership, and efforts that continue to inspire the world today."
Abdelsalam said that there are committees that annually examine nominations for individuals who champion human values. The award recognises individuals based on impact and sustainability coupled with their ability to inspire coexistence.
"From its inception, the award has a foundation in advancing dialogue among people of diverse backgrounds and cultures. The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity itself is one of the outcomes of the dialogue between His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed Al-Tayeb, and His Holiness Pope Francis, which culminated in the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi in 2019," Abdelsalam said.
He stressed the award's role in addressing global challenges through honorees, partnerships, and events, highlighting initiatives like "Expressions of Human Fraternity", and "Sounds of Human Fraternity".
He noted that with the award's partners around the globe they are currently developing initiatives that will be carried out throughout this year and the coming years, with a focus on empowering youth and harnessing their energy and potential.
"We are deeply invested in future generations, seeing youth as the drivers of change who have passion and dedication to addressing global challenges related to human fraternity."
The Right Honorable Patricia Scotland KC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, highlighted the award's role in recognising and honouring peacemakers.
"The Zayed Award's determination to celebrate those who build bridges, establish connections between people, and strengthen peace aligns absolutely with the Commonwealth's aims and aspirations. Our Charter enshrines the enduring values of tolerance, respect, equality, justice, and peace across our 56 nations, and guides the practical work we do to improve the lives of 2.7 billion Commonwealth citizens," she told Aletihad.
She spoke of initiatives such as the Commonwealth Peace Prize, meant to promote peace, tolerance, and diversity.
Both the Commonwealth Peace Prize and the Zayed Award grant initiatives aimed at peaceful and just societies.
"The role of international organisations is essential in building peace and unity. The world today insists that we are dependent on each other. We succeed together, or we suffer in isolation. Values-based associations such as the Commonwealth enable countries to work together on shared priorities while protecting their sovereignty and independence – this balance helps us to draw on the strengths of our individual member states and inspire the kind of collective action that no nation could achieve alone."
Furthermore, Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, shared his perspective on the role of academic institutions in advancing the values of human fraternity.
"The Holy See has two academies: The Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, and the easiest way for them to advance the values of human fraternity is to adopt it as, either as an optic through which other subject matters are studied and discussed, or to make human fraternity a hermeneutical principle for studying, especially, social issues. For, universal fraternity should lead to a progressive universalisation of attitudes of justice and solidarity, which we must have for all."
The Holy See's academies are open to all based on academic achievement, regardless of gender, race, faith, or background, reflecting Pope Francis' call for "fraternity without borders" from Fratelli Tutti (All Brothers), the third encyclical of the Pope, subtitled "on fraternity and social friendship", Cardinal Turkson told Aletihad.
Interfaith conversation being the key to harmony, Cardinal Turkson found the Zayed Award as a tool and a token to encourage people working and arguing for the extension of universal fraternity into all walks of life.
"The Zayed Award contributes to global solidarity in various ways: by creating or highlighting initiatives that show solidarity, such as the Soup Kitchen feeding those in need worldwide; by promoting dialogue about people's needs; and by fostering a sense of unity in conflict situations, reminding people that every killing is a fratricide, unjustifiable by the very faith that upholds universal fraternity," he added.
