International Day of Human Fraternity celebrates the values ”that are the glue that hold our human family together” – compassion, religious understanding and mutual respect, UN Secretary General António Guterres speak.
Stop hatred, defuse extremism
“These values defend peace, but around the world they are being eroded by deepening divisions, growing inequality and growing despair, and by hate speech. Enemies, factions and conflicts increase,” he continued.
Example of Religious extremism and intolerance exist in all societies and among all faiths, he said, adding that “the duty of religious leaders everywhere is to prevent the use of tools of hatred and to defuse extremism in their followers.”
Model for interreligious harmony
The Secretary-General pointed out a model for interfaith harmony and human unity: the statement “Human brotherhood for world peace and coexistence”, co-authored by Pope Francis and Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed El Tayeb, in 2019.
“Let’s all get inspired and renew our commitment to stand together as one human family” he say. “Together, let’s build a peaceful alliancediversity, equality in dignity and rights, unity and solidarity.”
Concerns about religious hatred
In 2021, a United Nations General Assembly resolution adopted a resolution designating February 4 as the International Day of Human Fraternity. Co-sponsored by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, Resolution expressed deeply concerned by acts that support religious hatredespecially at a time when the world is facing COVID-19 pandemic and its related crises.
In adopting the resolution, Member States also recognize the valuable contribution people of all religions or beliefs make to humanity and the contribution that dialogue between all religious groups can make to increasing awareness and understanding of common values shared by all of humanity.
World Interreligious Harmony Week
to celebrate World Interreligious Harmony Weekobserved annually in the first week of February, the United Nations Mission of Sierra Leone and its partners organized a conference at UN headquarters. Participants discover the the theme of harmony in a world of crisis.
