Dubai: The third anniversary of Document for Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, also known as the Abu Dhabi agreement, was held here on Friday. On the day aligning with International Human Fraternity Day, Cardinal Miguel Angel Ayuso said that the document was a milestone on the path of interreligious dialogue, Arab News reported.
The 2019 declaration was signed by Pope Francis of the Catholic Church and Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb, grand imam of Al-Azhar, in 2019. It intended for peace among people worldwide and sought a culture of dialogue and collaboration among all faiths.
Ayuso, among many faith leaders, has gathered at Expo 2020 Dubai's sustainability Pavilion on Friday for the anniversary event. He said that all are citizens of the world, and all believers should cooperate in defending the problems of the day. Maintaining a positive relationship irrespective of religion is essential, he said. Religions should not be a problem but rather a part of the solution, Ayuso said.
Pope Francis said in a video message that it is no time for indifference, and if we are not holding a brotherhood among us, the world will collapse. Meanwhile, Sheikh El-Tayed's video message said that the occasion is the trail to a better world where the spirit of tolerance, fraternity, solidarity and collaboration prevails. That world would be free of wars, the fearful there would be reassured, the poor and vulnerable would be sustained and protected while justice would prevail.
Judge Mohammed Abdelsalam, secretary-general of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, opened the anniversary celebrations, saying that the fraternity document has enabled people to fight against prejudice and increase accountability.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Al-Diwani, Al-Azhar deputy director of the grand imam, said we should remove hatred and discrimination and uphold religious tolerance. If we properly follow our religions, without misinterpretation, living conditions would become the best, he added.
US President Joe Biden has written the Higher Committee that to overcome the crises of the pandemic, climate and violence worldwide, global cooperation, is needed irrespective of culture, faith and beliefs.
Ayuso later said that during the Covid-19 lockdown, people's faith became stronger, despite being locked inside homes and believers at many houses of worship decreased.