Nominations are now open for the 2023 Zayed Human Fraternity Award. The Award came to fruition following Pope Francis’ landmark Apostolic Visit to the United Arab Emirates in 2019, where he signed a groundbreaking document on promoting human fraternity with the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Ahmad Al-Tayyeb.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
Nominations are now open for the 2023 Zayed Human Fraternity Award, announced its organizing committee on Friday.
The Award was launched in 2019 after Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad Muhammad Al-Tayyeb, co-signed the historic Document on Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi.
Those nominating can submit their selections for the Award’s fourth edition at its official website until the end of October.
The independent global Award honors individuals and entities that make outstanding contributions toward human fraternity.
Pope’s appreciation
On the occasion of the 2022 Award ceremony, Pope Francis sent a video message for the event which recognized honorees for their contributions.
He called it “a praiseworthy initiative” and “another step forward in our common journey of fraternity.”
The Holy Father also recognized it as an important way “of supporting and thanking all those who strive for the justice, solidarity and fraternity proposed by the Document on Human Fraternity.”
The Zayed award, granted by the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, the Pope noted, acknowledges and rewards the efforts of individuals and institutions who are committed to the advancement of humanity and the promotion of peaceful coexistence.
Nominating and Judging
Secretary-General and member of the Judging Committee for the 2023 Prize, Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, said, “The Committee looks forward to identifying the personalities and entities that have effectively contributed to finding pioneering solutions to contemporary challenges in the field of promoting human fraternity.”
Others who are part of the 2023 independent Judging Committee include Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle; United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, Miguel Ángel Moratinos; former Vice President of Costa Rica, Dr. Epsy Campbell Barr; and the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 2015, Dr. Ouided Bouchamaoui.
Nominations may be submitted within the following categories: members of governments, current and former Heads of State, members of parliaments, presidents of supreme courts, senior executives of the United Nations, heads of international NGOs, university presidents, influencers, leaders, thinkers, and previous honorees of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity.
Pope Francis with Grand Imam of Al Azhar in Abu Dhabi in 2019
