December 16 2021
BERLIN – Secretary-General of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity (HCHF) Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam attended a roundtable with representatives and commissioners for religious affairs of Germany’s Bundestag – the lower house of parliament – at the invitation of Ms. Aydan Özoğuz, vice-president of the German Bundestag, to discuss the principles of the Document on Human Fraternity and its impact on promoting interfaith dialogue and coexistence.
Participants underlined the importance of achieving the principles outlined in the Document on Human Fraternity – especially with regard to issues of citizenship, women, equality, and religious freedom – which contribute to spreading a culture of dialogue and coexistence.
HCHF Secretary-General Judge Abdelsalam stressed that most prominent declaration in modern history is the Document on Human Fraternity, co-signed in 2019 by His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar 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. Judge Abdelsalam further added that it is a humanitarian document addressing believers and non-believers alike – regardless of religion, ethinicity, or background.
Judge Abdelsalam highlighted the many initiatives led by the HCHF, particularly the inclusion of the Document’s values in education and scientific research curricula, the Abrahamic Family House, the Human Fraternity Youth Summit, the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity and other initiatives that will enhance values of full citizenship and coexistence.
Judge Abdelsalam commended the efforts of Germany in promoting interreligious dialogue, particularly its establishment of a department for interfaith dialogue and cultural communication, which contributes to promoting a culture of coexistence and peace.
At the end of the meeting, the two sides underlined that they will continue to promote the values and principles outlined in the Document on Human Fraternity and will further their discussion on joint initiatives, where cooperation can be made to promote the values of
