February 4, 2021 marked the first International Day of Human Fraternity as declared by the United Nations. The date was chosen to recognize the day in 2019 when Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad Al-Tayyeb signed the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, the culmination of lengthy discussions between the two leaders. Building on this document, Pope Francis expresses his vision of human fraternity and social friendship in his encyclical letter, Fratelli Tutti.
The UN established a Higher Committee of Human Fraternity to translate the document into concrete actions. Among the actions of this committee is the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity which was presented on February 4th to António Guterres, secretary-general of the United Nations and to Moroccan-born Latifa Ibn Ziaten. Ziaten founded the Imad Association for Youth and Peace in France to save young people from turning to extremist ideologies.
For more information:
“World must realize common humanity or fall apart, pope says” – Catholic News Service
“Pope to participate in first International Day of Human Fraternity” – Vatican News
“Pope’s prayer intention for January: At the service of fraternity” – Vatican News
Resources on Fratelli Tutti – OFS-USA
