The International Day of Human Fraternity, celebrated on February 4th, was established by the United Nations in 2020 to promote peace and tolerance between people of different cultures and beliefs. The day serves as a reminder of the importance of human fraternity and the need for all people to come together and work towards a better world.
The concept of human fraternity was first introduced by His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayyeb, during a historic meeting in Abu Dhabi in 2019. The two religious leaders signed a document called the “Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together,” in which they called for the promotion of human fraternity and the protection of the dignity and rights of all people, regardless of their religion or beliefs.
The International Day of Human Fraternity is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of mutual respect and understanding between people of different cultures and beliefs. It highlights the need to build bridges of dialogue and cooperation between people of different backgrounds, and to work towards creating a world where everyone is able to live in peace and harmony.
The celebration of this day provides a platform for people to come together and share their experiences, thoughts, and ideas. It is a chance for people to learn from each other and to gain a better understanding of the world and its diverse cultures and beliefs. It also provides an opportunity for people to express their commitment to promoting peace, tolerance, and understanding, and to take action to make the world a better place.
The day will be commemorated in 2023 against the backdrop of many conflicts, whether based on political ideology, territorial disputes, religious divisions, or economic disparities. They reflect a dreadful human situation characterised by various divisions and a lack of peace and harmony.
The International Day of Human Fraternity recognises the value of compassion, religious tolerance, and mutual respect. These ideals foster peace and bring people together. These principles, however, are under assault from separation, inequity, and pessimism. Hate speech, religious discord, and violence are on the rise, and religious extremism and intolerance harm all cultures and religions.