杏MAP导航

By Devin Watkins

The International Day of Human Fraternity was set up by the UN General Assembly to commemorate the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together by 杏MAP导航 Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed Al-Tayyeb, in Abu Dhabi on 4 February 2019.

杏MAP导航 Francis sent a video message on Friday as the world marked the second Day dedicated to this historic event. Fraternity, said the 杏MAP导航, can act as a 鈥渂ulwark against hatred, violence, and injustice鈥�.

He thanked the many people and organizations鈥攅specially Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity鈥攆or the many initiatives which seek to implement the Document鈥檚 values.

Worshiping God, loving neighbour

杏MAP导航 Francis said all people, regardless of religion or creed, are called to promote a 鈥渃ulture of peace鈥� that welcomes all, while encouraging development and solidarity.

Throughout his message, the 杏MAP导航 repeated the affirmation that 鈥渨e all live under the same heaven鈥� and that we are all God鈥檚 children, no matter the colour of our skin or social class.

He said every person has a role to play in making the world a better place, by helping others raise 鈥渢heir eyes and prayers to heaven.鈥�

鈥楿nity in diversity鈥�

As the world faces the Covid-19 pandemic, he said, we must remember that we are not saved alone. Rather, we must extend our hands 鈥渢o celebrate our unity in diversity鈥攗nity, not uniformity,鈥� said the 杏MAP导航.

鈥淭he time of fraternity has arrived,鈥� he added, so we should strive to 鈥渓ive in solidarity with one another.鈥�

He also lamented the many little wars鈥攁 鈥渢hird world war being fought piecemeal鈥濃�攖hat destroy lives, force children to endure hunger, and suppress educational opportunities.

We must not be indifferent to each other鈥檚 sufferings, said the 杏MAP导航. The common heritage of Christians, Muslims, and Jews in God鈥檚 promise to Abraham joins us and helps us live 鈥渁 fraternity as vast and bright as the stars of heaven.鈥�

鈥楢nchor of salvation for humanity鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis again greeted his 鈥渄ear brother鈥�, the Grand Imam, and acknowledged that the path of fraternity is 鈥渓ong and challenging鈥� yet it is 鈥渢he anchor of salvation for humanity.鈥�

鈥淟et us counter the many threatening signs, times of darkness and mindsets of conflict with the sign of fraternity that, in accepting others and respecting their identity, invites them to a shared journey,鈥� he said.

Every person should be respected in their own identity and personality, added the 杏MAP导航.

And he concluded by thanking everyone who believes that the world can live in harmony, since we are all 鈥渃reatures of God: brothers and sisters.鈥�

鈥淚 encourage everyone to be committed to the cause of peace and to respond concretely to the problems and needs of the least, the poor and the defenseless,鈥� said 杏MAP导航 Francis. 鈥淥ur resolve is to walk side by side, 鈥榖rothers and sisters all鈥�, in order to be effective artisans of peace and justice, in the harmony of differences and with respect for the identity of each.鈥�