Abu Dhabi: Offices of the Muslim Council of Elders in Pakistan, Indonesia, and Malaysia commemorated Human Fraternity Day (International Day of Human Fraternity) on Sunday, February 4th. This day is celebrated in honor of the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity by Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, and Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, which took place in Abu Dhabi in 2019.
The celebration involved various activities aimed at fostering unity and peaceful coexistence within diverse communities. In Indonesia, the Council organized a range of programs, including a significant Friday sermon at the Istiqlal Mosque, Southeast Asia’s largest mosque, with President Joko Widodo in attendance. A sermon-writing contest centered on the theme of human fraternity attracted participants nationwide, demonstrating widespread engagement with the event’s core message.
Additionally, the Indonesian office worked in partnership with the Ministry of Religious Affairs to promote the values of the Human Fraternity Document. This collaboration led to directives for around 800,000 mosques throughout Indonesia to focus their Friday sermons on human fraternity. The Council also held special events for 150 People of Determination, in cooperation with the Indonesian Committee for Persons with Disabilities, highlighting the importance of inclusivity and equality.
In Pakistan, the Council’s office organized a seminar, “Human Fraternity: Messages of Hope and Peace in the World.” This seminar aimed to advance the principles of human fraternity, aspiring to achieve a society marked by peaceful coexistence, acceptance, and diversity through dialogue and understanding.
Malaysia’s office also played a part in promoting the values of peaceful coexistence and fraternity, organizing events that underscored the country’s commitment to religious and ethnic harmony. Malaysia’s efforts serve as a model for how diverse communities can live together in peace and mutual respect.
These celebrations and initiatives reflect a global commitment to the ideals of fraternity, peace, and coexistence, echoing the foundational goals of the Document on Human Fraternity signed four years ago.
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