December 16 2021
BERLIN – Secretary-General of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity (HCHF) Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam met Tuesday with State Secretary Stephan Steinlein, Head of Germany’s Office of the Federal President, to discuss potential cooperation and joint efforts in promoting human fraternity and interfaith dialogue.
At the beginning of the meeting, State Secretary Steinlein expressed his appreciation for the efforts of religious leaders in promoting dialogue, coexistence, and peace. He welcomed cooperation with the HCHF in various initiatives to promote the principles outlined in the historic Document on Human Fraternity, co-signed in 2019 by His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Professor Ahmed Al-Tayeb in Abu Dhabi, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and patron of human fraternity. Germany appreciates the significant steps taken by the United Arab Emirates in supporting such an important initiative, said Steinlein.
Steinlein emphasized the importance of furthering collaboration in order for the Document on Human Fraternity to become a cornerstone for strengthening dialogue between followers of different faiths and between sectors of society in general. He commended the efforts led by Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Professor Ahmed Al-Tayeb and Pope Francis in spreading the ethical values and principles outlined in the Document on Human Fraternity. He further added that the efforts exerted by Egypt and the UAE to foster coexistence and interfaith dialogue are significant for Germany and are consistent with the German foreign policy’s interest in promoting multifaith dialogue.
For his part, HCHF Secretary-General Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam said the Higher Committee looks forward to coordinating efforts with all officials and public institutions to promote human fraternity among all humanity, regardless of different backgrounds.
Judge Abdelsalam pointed out that the HCHF is working on various initiatives to promote values of coexistence: the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi, which will serve as a cultural landmark for promoting fraternity among all peoples; the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity; the global Human Fraternity Youth Summit; and other initiatives inspired by the principles of the Document on Human Fraternity. He noted that these initiatives aim to establish a culture of constructive dialogue and foster human rights and freedoms.
At the end of the meeting, the two parties agreed to continue communication and align their efforts to spread the values of dialogue, coexistence, and human fraternity.
