The Higher Committee of Human Fraternity Meets with Pope Francis of the Catholic Church and the Grand Imam of al-Azhar for the First Time to Present the Abrahamic Family House

The Higher Committee also Welcomes Irina Bokova, former Director-General of UNESCO, who becomes the ninth member to join the committee, which includes a diverse set of international religious, educational and cultural leaders

ABU DHABI, UAE, Nov. 16, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, a group of religious leaders, educational scholars and cultural leaders from across the world, met with His Holiness Pope Francis of the Catholic Church and the Grand Imam of al-Azhar, His Eminence Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, for the first time to present updates on the Abrahamic Family House, one of the first projects the Higher Committee will help guide, to be located in Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

This meeting comes at the time of the announcement of the addition of Irina Bokova, the former Director-General of UNESCO, to the committee. 

Bokova served as UNESCO's Director-General, for two terms, from 2009 to 2017, during which she earned a reputation for advocating strongly for religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence. In addition, Bokova was Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, as well as Ambassador of Bulgaria to France, and the Unesco, and as Representative of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie.

The Higher Committee presented the Abrahamic Family House to His Holiness Pope Francis of the Catholic Church and the Grand Imam of al-Azhar, His Eminence Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb in the Vatican, a project that reflects the aspirations behind the Document on Human Fraternity. A church, mosque and synagogue will share a collective space for the first time, serving as a community for inter-religious dialogue and exchange, and nurturing the values of peaceful co-existence and acceptance among different beliefs, nationalities and cultures. The design of the Abrahamic Family House was awarded to globally renowned architect, Sir David Adjaye OBE, in September 2019.

It is one of the first projects the Higher Committee will help guide, in addition to their role in stewarding the principles and aspirations of the Document of Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, signed by His Holiness Pope Francis of the Catholic Church and the Grand Imam of al-Azhar, His Eminence Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), during the historic Papal visit in February 2019.

The meeting also addressed the addition of Irina Bokova, who in her capacity as a member of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, will use her renowned ability and unmatched international experience to help the committee deliver on the goals and objectives set out in the Document of Human Fraternity.

Through a joint statement, The Higher Committee of Human Fraternity said: "Throughout her career, Bokova has proven herself to be a champion of tolerance and inter-community coexistence. She brings with her a wealth of invaluable experience in the coordination of programmes and initiatives at an international level that will be instrumental in achieving the aims of the Higher Committee."

Commenting on the announcement, Irina Bokova said: "I am honored to join this eminent body of religious and cultural leaders with the aim of achieving the objectives of the historic Document of Human Fraternity, which, in a world so in need of dialogue and mutual respect, is vital."

The Higher Committee of Human Fraternity includes members from the UAE, Spain, Italy, Egypt, the US, and today Bulgaria. The members are: Cardinal Miguel Àngel Ayuso Guixot, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue of the Holy See; Judge Mohamed Mahmoud Abdel Salam, Former Advisor to the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, His Eminence Sheikh Ahmad At-Tayyeb; Rabbi M. Bruce Lustig, Senior Rabbi at Washington Hebrew Congregation; Monsignor Yoannis Lahzi Gaid, Personal Secretary of the Holy Father; Professor Mohamed Hussein Mahrasawi, President of Al-Azhar University; Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture – Abu Dhabi; Dr. Sultan Faisal Al Remeithi, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders; and Yasser Hareb, an Emirati writer and TV presenter.

The Higher Committee also added: "On the occasion of the International Day of Tolerance, we are happy to welcome Irina Bokova to support the members of the committee in promoting coexistence, brotherhood, and tolerance throughout the world."

The purpose of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity is to inspire peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths, backgrounds, and nationalities across the world. The committee will act on the aspirations outlined in the Document of Human Fraternity by holding meetings with religious leaders, heads of international organizations, and others to encourage actions that will create a more peaceful world for all humankind.

The Higher Committee of Human Fraternity will continue to expand to incorporate leaders of other denominations and beliefs in the coming years. For more information, visit: https://www.forhumanfraternity.org

About the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity

The Higher Committee is a diverse set of religious leaders, educational scholars, and cultural leaders from across the world who are tasked with fulfilling the principles and aspirations outlined in the Document of Human Fraternity.

The work of the committee includes meeting with religious leaders, heads of international organizations, and others across the world to support and spread the values of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence, as well as provide counsel on a variety of initiatives that aim to deliver on the document including the Abrahamic Family House, an interfaith center to be built in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The committee is at an early but exciting moment in its journey and is beginning to lay the foundation for how it will work together to achieve its goals and will continue to expand to include leaders of other faiths, denominations, and beliefs.

The members of the committee are:

• The Cardinal Elect Miguel Àngel Ayuso Guixot, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue of the Holy See
• Judge Mohamed Mahmoud Abdel Salam, Former Advisor to the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, His Eminence Sheikh Ahmad At-Tayyeb
• Rabbi M. Bruce Lustig, Senior Rabbi at Washington Hebrew Congregation
• Monsignor Yoannis Lahzi Gaid, Personal Secretary of the Holy Father
• Professor Mohamed Hussein Mahrasawi, President of Al-Azhar University
• Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi
• Dr. Sultan Faisal Al Remeithi, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Elders
• Yasser Hareb, an Emirati writer and TV presenter
• Irina Bokova, Former Director-General of UNESCO

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1030484/Human_Fraternity.jpg

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