The Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam has declared that the Document on Human Fraternity is a roadmap for global peace, reconciliation and coexistence and that it is considered the single most important reformist and progressive declaration in modern history. 

During his participation at the Rome Conference on the Culture of Encounter, sponsored by Georgetown University and La Civiltà Cattolica magazine Judge Abdelsalam said, “The Document on Human Fraternity is considered by many to be the most important declaration in modern history due to its two signatories being the biggest religious symbols in the world who also belong to the two largest religious institutions on the planet. The document transcends all boundaries and is also inclusive of non-believers, since human fraternity is a value that recognizes people of all backgrounds.”

Abdelsalam added, “All believers are members of the same human family, which served as the basis for the meeting between His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and His Holiness Pope Francis in Abu Dhabi in 2019 and the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates. The declaration is also a stark reminder of our common responsibilities towards promoting peace and harmony while also proving the important role that religions and their followers can have in promoting these noble values.”

The Secretary-General concluded, “There are many initiatives that have been launched as a result of this great document, including the ‘International Day of Human Fraternity’ which is recognized by the United Nations and the 'Zayed Award for Human Fraternity' along with the adoption of the document by various educational systems around the world. The document is for all people and it advances development and cooperation between people of different backgrounds, specifically between the East and West. I sincerely hope that the document can inspire all social and religious institutions around the world to place an added emphasis on human fraternity.”