Pope Francis said on Monday that the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity helps to promote the protection of women’s rights.
The award allocates $1 million to an individual, group or organisation from any walk of life that works to further peaceful coexistence anywhere in the world.
It was first established on February 4, 2019, to mark the meeting between Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Ahmed Al Tayeb, in Abu Dhabi.
Speaking in the Vatican during a meeting with the 2023 judging committee, he said the award promotes human fraternity on a global scale.
“Your work is important in advancing the message of human fraternity,” said Pope Francis, who was an honorary recipient of the award in 2019, alongside Dr Al Tayeb.
“It is important in your work to uphold the dignity of women as women’s rights are often outlined on paper but not practised in reality.”
He highlighted the ongoing crisis in Haiti and urged the international community to support the country.
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Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation; Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence; King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan attend the ceremony for the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity at the Founder's Memorial in Abu Dhabi. Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
The ceremony for the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity at the Founder's Memorial. Photo: Higher Committee for Human Fraternity -
Michele Pierre-Louis, founder of Fokal, one of the winners of this year's Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, attends the ceremony at the Founder's Memorial. Photo: Higher Committee for Human Fraternity -
Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Ahmed Al Tayeb, participate remotely. Photo: Higher Committee for Human Fraternity -
Performers sing as an orchestra plays during the ceremony. Photo: Higher Committee for Human Fraternity -
Performers take part in the ceremony for the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity at the Founder's Memorial in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Higher Committee for Human Fraternity -
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, attends the ceremony. Photo: Higher Committee for Human Fraternity -
Ahmed Al Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar, takes part in the virtual ceremony of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity. Photo: Higher Committee for Human Fraternity -
Members of the judging panel and Higher Committee for Human Fraternity attend the event. Photo: Higher Committee for Human Fraternity -
Last year's award-winner, Latifa Ibn Ziaten, attends the ceremony. Photo: Higher Committee for Human Fraternity -
King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan, and Michele Pierre-Louis, founder of Fokal, attend the ceremony for the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity at the Founder's Memorial. Photo: Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
Haiti's Foundation for Knowledge and Liberty received the award in 2022, along with King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan.
Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary General of both the award and the Muslim Council of Elders, said the committee is “extremely grateful” to Pope Francis for his continued support.
“His holiness presents a real and unique example of a man of peace and continues to bring people together from different walks of life, with the feeling that we are all members of the same human family,” he said.
Dr Epsy Campbell Barr, former vice president of Costa Rica, said the award was “a source of inspiration”.
“It highlights and supports the people fighting against discrimination while working towards peace and fraternity,” Ms Barr said.
“We have most recently seen the impact of this award in Haiti, where our sisters in FOKAL continue to create a just, equitable environment for the women and youth. The award is a source of inspiration to support women’s rights.”
Other members of the independent judging committee include: Miguel Angel Moratinos, UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Alliance of Civilisations; Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelisation at the Holy See; Kailash Satyarthi, 2014 Nobel Peace Laureate and child rights activist and Dr Ouided Bouchamaoui, 2015 Nobel Peace Laureate and entrepreneur.
The other previous award honourees in 2021 were UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Moroccan French activist Latifa Ibn Ziaten.
The judging committee is in Rome to continue its deliberations on the 2023 award, with the winners announced during a ceremony on February 4.
