Zayed Fraternity Award: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed hails peaceful coexistence for all

Religious leaders unite in online ceremony in Abu Dhabi to honour winners of Zayed Fraternity Award

L-R: Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity; Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Dr Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Pope Francis, Latifa Ibn Zaiten and UN Secretary-General Guterres. Courtesy: Higher Committee for Human Fraternity

Latifa Ibn Zaiten, a Moroccan-French activist, was named co-winner of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity. Courtesy: Higher Committee for Human Fraternity

Musicians play their instruments at the Founders Memorial as part of the ceremony to honour the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity. Courtesy: Higher Committee for Human Fraternity

The winners of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity were honoured in a ceremony at the Founders Memorial. Courtesy: Higher Committee for Human Fraternity

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was named co-winner of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity. Courtesy: Higher Committee for Human Fraternity

The winners of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity were honoured in a ceremony at the Founders Memorial. Courtesy: Higher Committee for Human Fraternity

Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Dr Ahmed Al-Tayeb, honours the winners of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity. Courtesy: Higher Committee for Human Fraternity

The six judges of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity at the Founders Memorial. Courtesy: Higher Committee for Human Fraternity

Related: Pope Francis and Al Azhar Grand Imam honour Zayed Fraternity Award winners in Abu Dhabi ceremony

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has stressed the UAE's supports peace for all on a historic day in Abu Dhabi.

Speaking to mark Human Fraternity Day, Sheikh Mohamed said he spoke to Pope Francis and Dr Ahmed Al Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar, as the religious leaders took part in a moving event in the capital.

"We discussed the importance of the Document on Human Fraternity, given the many challenges facing humanity," he said on Thursday.

"The UAE values and supports peaceful coexistence between all people."

The two religious leaders took part in an event to honour the winners of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity.

Moroccan-French activist Latifa Ibn Ziaten and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres will share a $1 million prize to invest in their initiatives.

The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity recognises people committed to fostering conditions for peaceful coexistence around the world.

It was created after the Document on Human Fraternity was signed by Pope Francis and Dr Al Tayeb in Abu Dhabi, in February 2019.

The two religious leaders sent messages of peace at the ceremony with the pontiff calling fraternity the new frontier of humanity.

"Either we are brothers or we destroy ourselves," Pope Francis said.

"It is the challenge of our century, the challenge of our time. Human Fraternity means respect, to listen with an open heart and to have strength in our principles."

Dr Al Tayeb described Thursday's ceremony as a historic event.

"I am hopeful that February 4 each year will be an alarm bell for the world and its leaders, and urge them to entrench the principles of human fraternity," he said.

Dr Al Tayeb said that for the document to be applied in reality, it "needs determination and the firm belief that people are all brothers who have the right to peace and safety, and that whatever diversity is between them is in God's creation".