ABU DHABI (RVA News): “The negative impact of environmental destruction and social degradation continues to cause immense suffering for a vast number of our brothers and sisters around the globe,” Pope Francis said in a February 4 message on the occasion of the 2024 International Day of Human Fraternity.
The pope’s message conveyed to Mohamed Abdelsalam, secretary-general of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, underlined the need to recognise and urgently address the negative effects of the absence of fraternal solidarity experienced by all men and women in the world.
In response to this alarming issue, the pope invited everyone to draw attention to the principles that can guide humanity “through the dark shadows of injustice, hatred, and war.”
He said, “These include tolerant love for those who are different, a genuine care for the poor and sick, especially children, and a desire to assist in the rehabilitation of prisoners and their reintegration into society.”
Pope Francis also renewed his gratitude to the grand imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad Al-Tayyib, and the president of the United Arab Emirates [UAE], Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, “for their vital support of initiatives aimed at promoting the values of fraternity and social comradeship founded on the truth.”
All of the joint recipients, in their distinctive ways, cast important light on the path to greater social solidarity and fraternal love,
Pope Francis
The pope also extended his congratulations to the three joint recipients of this year’s Zayed Award, an accolade honouring individuals and organisations that strengthen human connection and address social divisions.
The Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah Organisations from Indonesia, Dr. Magdi Yacoub from Egypt, and Sister Nelly Leon from Chile, were this year’s recipients.
“All of the joint recipients, in their distinctive ways, cast important light on the path to greater social solidarity and fraternal love,” the pope said.
He also urged the faithful to draw inspiration from the awardees’ admirable deeds, religious insights, and convictions “that inspired in them such generosity of heart.”
The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan, former ruler of Abu Dhabi and founder of the UAE, established the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity on 4 February 2019.
It was one of the fruits of the historic meeting between Pope Francis and Sheik Al-Tayeb in Abu Dhabi, along with the signing of the monumental Document on Human Fraternity in 2019.
The two religious leaders were named honourary recipients of the award.
