His Excellency Prof. Jamal Sanad Al-Suwaidi, Director General of the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR), has commended the statement from the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity (HCHF), inviting religious leaders and the world’s faithful to join in “a day of fasting, prayers and supplications for the good of all humanity,” on Thursday, May 14. The Committee appealed in one voice to God Almighty to protect humanity and guide us through efforts to overcome the novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).

His Excellency said the appeal aimed to achieve the goals set by the Document on Human Fraternity, which calls for solidarity, unity and setting aside our differences, as this deadly virus is now humanity’s number one enemy. He added that the Document on Human Fraternity reflects the UAE’s ongoing efforts to promote a culture of tolerance and coexistence in a world full of division and discord.

The Document on Human Fraternity was signed in Abu Dhabi on February 4, 2019 by His Eminence Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and His Holiness Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church. It was signed under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces (may God protect him).

The Document sets out a constitutional framework that aims to achieve peace and fraternity amongst people, regardless of their faith, denomination or race. The Higher Committee of Human Fraternity was established and tasked with spreading the Document’s message, translating it into a worldwide movement supported by all international organizations and religious entities.

His Excellency stressed that the world is experiencing unprecedented challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted all corners of the globe without warning, tearing it apart, forming islands of isolation, and stopping the world in its tracks. These circumstances oblige us to reassess our priorities and come closer to God, who is capable of ending this crisis, which is a challenge unlike anything the world has seen since World War II (1939-1945). His Excellency added that while we firmly underscore our strong belief in the role of medicine and scientific research in tackling this pandemic, as indicated in the statement from the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, we should not forget to pray to God, as He is the only one capable of changing things in the blink of an eye.

His Excellency emphasized that the Prayer for Humanity initiative, which has seen wide participation from followers of all faiths, proves that the whole world is aware of the great threat posed by this pandemic. The initiative also reflects solidarity among different nations, people and cultures in facing this common enemy. Since globalization has seen the world become one village, this sense of solidarity should prevail, in order to overcome many of the shared challenges threatening humanity.