Grand Imam Ahmed Al-Tayeb Receives Zayed Award For Human Fraternity Jury Members In Cairo

His Eminence Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, recently welcomed members of the 2026 judging committee for an esteemed global award at Al-Azhar's headquarters in Cairo. The delegation included notable figures such as Saida Mirziyoyeva from Uzbekistan, Charles Michel, former President of the European Council, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, and Moussa Faki Mahamat.

The Grand Imam emphasised that this visit marks a continuation of the human fraternity journey initiated in Cairo in 2017. This path reached a significant milestone with the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity by His Eminence and the late Pope Francis in Abu Dhabi in 2019. He expressed gratitude to President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his unwavering support.

Al-Tayeb highlighted that all religions promote peace, fraternity, and coexistence. These values are crucial today as conflicts and wars persist globally. He praised the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity for honouring humanitarian efforts and initiatives worldwide. The award is named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, reflecting his legacy of serving humanity.

The Grand Imam expressed confidence in the judging committee's dedication to achieving the goals outlined in the Document on Human Fraternity. He urged them to select individuals and initiatives that exemplify human fraternity's highest ideals. These selections should inspire others by showing that peace and understanding are achievable despite cultural differences.

The committee members reaffirmed their commitment to choosing honourees who follow in the footsteps of previous recipients like Grand Imam Al-Tayeb and Pope Francis. They aim to recognise those who embody human fraternity's spirit for the award's seventh edition. This commitment underscores their dedication to promoting peace and understanding globally.

Al-Tayeb noted that history serves as a guide for establishing peace and fraternity worldwide. He stressed that the Zayed Award has become a vital platform for recognising genuine humanitarian efforts. The award continues to honour those who contribute significantly to fostering global harmony.

The Grand Imam called upon jury members to embrace their historic responsibility in selecting exemplary individuals and initiatives. These selections should demonstrate that peace is possible regardless of challenges or cultural diversity. By doing so, they can present inspiring models to the world.

This meeting at Al-Azhar reflects a shared commitment to advancing human fraternity principles globally. The collaboration between religious leaders and international figures highlights ongoing efforts to promote peace, coexistence, and mutual understanding across diverse cultures.

With inputs from WAM