His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Professor Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, met with the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity 2023 judging committee to discuss the award’s contribution to the future of global human fraternity and its role in promoting the values of peaceful coexistence and recognizing individuals and entities that play an active role in this field. 

During the meeting that took place on the sidelines of the Grand Imam’s visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain on 4th November, the Grand Imam asked the jury members to advance the work of the Document on Human Fraternity - signed by the Grand Imam and Pope Francis in Abu Dhabi in 2019 - and consolidate its principles of peaceful coexistence, dialogue, and solidarity in both East and West.

The Grand Imam said: “My hope is that together we can accelerate the work of human fraternity because this Document came out of a dedication to God and to the service of humanity. Perhaps it was the will of God to have such a declaration that promotes the protection of the most vulnerable. Our world is in dire need of work that fosters a better future for all members of our human family.” The Grand Imam also stressed to the jury members that it is important to work together to transform the award into a global platform advancing the values of human fraternity. 

For their part, the jury candidly shared their suggestions to the Grand Imam on how they plan to engage all parts of societies in the mission of human fraternity - specifically relating to the protection of women and children rights, the promotion of education, and conflict resolution - and affirmed that the values outlined in the Document will serve as a source of guidance for them during the selection of the honorees of the fourth round of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity 2023. 

The members of the judging committee praised the Grand Imam and Pope Francis - the 2019 honorary co-recipients of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity - for their partnership and commitment to instilling the values of human fraternity in a world plagued by conflict and crisis.

The independent Zayed Award for Human Fraternity 2023 judging committee includes United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations H.E. Miguel Ángel Moratinos; former Vice President of Costa Rica H.E. Dr. Epsy Campbell Barr; Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization at the Holy See His Eminence Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle; 2014 Nobel Peace Laureate and child rights activist Kailash Satyarthi; and 2015 Nobel Peace Laureate and entrepreneur Dr. Ouided Bouchamaoui, and Secretary-General of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity and the Muslim Council of Elders Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam

Following the meeting, Judge Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, said: “This meeting serves as a good push for the jury that represents diverse cultures and backgrounds. We come from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.” He added that the award always looks forward to receiving nominations for individuals and entities from around the world who epitomize the human fraternity values outlined by the Grand Imam and Pope Francis in their historic declaration.

The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity is an annual independent global award that recognizes, supports, and honors people and entities of all backgrounds working to advance the timeless values of solidarity, integrity, fairness and optimism.

The award was established following the historic meeting between His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Professor Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, in 2019 in Abu Dhabi, during which they co-signed the Document on Human Fraternity. 

The award is worth $1 million dollars, presented every year in February to the honoree(s). It is named in honor of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the United Arab Emirates. The values the award celebrates reflect Sheikh Zayed’s dedication to working closely with people from all backgrounds, his moral legacy, humanitarianism, and respect for others and helping them, regardless of their religion, gender, race, or nationality.