ABOUT
Since its formation on the 2nd of December 1971, the United Arab Emirates has given special attention to issues such as dialogue, tolerance, fraternity and peace. It also offered the world a model example of applying these human values through the coexistence and tolerance embraced by the various cultures, races and faiths living on its soil.
The wise leadership of the United Arab Emirates firmly believe that all religions were founded to achieve peace for humanity. It also feels that peace should be enjoyed by people all over the world, and this can only be achieved through an unwavering will and belief in these principles, as well as sincere intentions and a shared sense of responsibility among mankind.
To continue its support of religious leaders and their efforts towards achieving their noble and tolerant message, the United Arab Emirates decided to organise the ‘Global Conference of Human Fraternity’ which will be held in its capital Abu Dhabi on the 3rd and 4th of February 2019. The conference is set to be attended by a host of religious leaders as well as a number of prominent intellectual, cultural and media figures from around the world, with the aim of reaching a common framework of cooperation with devotees of peace to eventually achieve human fraternity.
The conference is set to be concluded by a historic meeting between the two most prominent religious leaders in the world today; His Eminence Dr Ahmed El-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders and His Holiness Pope Francis, Pope of the Catholic Church.
His Holiness Pope Francis, Pontiff of the Catholic Church, is set to visit the United Arab Emirates from 3 to 5 February 2019. The Papal trip coincides with the visit of His Eminence Dr. Ahmed el-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council for Elders.
The Pope’s visit is the first of its kind to the Gulf region. Great hopes are pinned on the Papal visit for promoting peace among the people and propagating a culture of tolerance in the world.
-The visit coincides with holding the International Interfaith Meeting on Human Fraternity at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi on 3-4, 2019 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
Principles of Human Fraternity
which is set to discuss;consolidation of the notion of citizenship, combating extremism, promoting dialogue as well as defending the rights of the oppressed and persecuted as some of the most important principles to achieving fraternity among humankind
Common Responsibility to Achieving Human Fraternity
which debates; the common responsibility to achieving global peace, the responsibility of international and humanitarian organisations, the role of educational, cultural and media organisations and institutions in building and spreading fraternity and the role of youth from different religious and cultural backgrounds in achieving these objectives
Human Fraternity: Challenges and Opportunities
which will discuss; the absence of the human conscience, the exclusion of religious morals, invoking individualism and materialism, ‘religious and ethnic fanaticism and what it causes in terms of conflict and war
Proceedings of the Conference
- 1. Opening Address
- 2. Practical Sessions
- 3. Specialized workshop
- 4. Muslim Elders Council meeting
- 5. Speeches in Founder’s Memorial
- His Holiness Pope Francis
- His Eminence Grand Imam
- Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb
- Closing Statement
Conference Topics
1. Principles of Human Faternity
This topic will shed light on forging a culture of peace, consolidating the concept of citizenship and confronting religious extremism.
2. Joint Responsibility to Achieve Human Fraternity
This topic will address the question of East-West cooperation to achieve world peace, the responsibility of international and humanitarian organizations, and the role of religious, educational, cultural and media institutions.
3. Human Fraternity: Challenges and Opportunities
This topic discusses human conscience and religious ethics, as well as the trends of selfishness and obsession, religious fanaticism and extremism, and the culture of hatred and its impact on fueling conflicts.