A Human Fraternity document, called ‘Abu Dhabi Declaration’, was signed on Monday by Pope Francis of the Catholic Church, and Dr Ahmad Al Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, attended the signing ceremony.
The historic document was signed during the Human Fraternity Meeting at the Founder’s Memorial, coinciding with the Global Conference on Human Fraternity,
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid launched the first edition of the Human Fraternity Award during the event.
“Today, we celebrate the signing of the Human Fraternity Document in the UAE. It is also a pleasure to announce the inaugural Human Fraternity Award and present it to the Pope and the Grand Imam of Al Azhar for their efforts to spread international peace,” Shaikh Mohammad said.
Shaikh Mohammad awarded the honour to the Pope and Dr Al Tayeb for their efforts in promoting world peace.
Shaikh Mohammad welcomed the two great guests to the Human Fraternity meeting, which reflex the importance of pluralism and inter-faith dialogue for the good of humankind.
“On behalf of the UAE President, we welcome the Pope and the Grand Imam of Al Azhar in the Human Fraternity Meeting that underlines the importance of promoting and sustaining understanding and mutual respect among different cultures and religions,” he said.
In his speech at the interfaith meeting, Pope Francis said: “Hatred, violence or extremism cannot be justified in the name of religion.”
“The UAE is proud to host the historic meeting of His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence Dr. Ahmad Al Tayeb. We launched the 'Human Fraternity Award' to create a true interfaith dialogue,” Shaikh Mohammad said.
Shaikh Mohammad Bin Raid, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed, Pope Francis and Imam Ahmad Al Tayyeb signed foundations stones for a new church and mosque to be built in Abu Dhabi. The mosque will be named after Grand Imam Al Tayyeb, and the church will be named after Saint Francis.
"My brother Mohammmad Bin Rashid & I have signed the foundation stone for construction of a new ‘Church of Saint Francis’ and ‘Mosque of Grand Imam Ahmad Al Tayyeb’ in Abu Dhabi. They will serve as beacons to uphold the values of tolerance, moral integrity & human fraternity in the UAE," Mohammad Bin Zayed has tweeted.
SOURCE : GULFNEWS