On December 21, 2020, the UN General Assembly adopted a Resolution that established a new commemorative date — International Day of Human Fraternity.
The annual date for the celebration is February 4, which coincides with the signing on this day in 2019 during a meeting between Pope Francis II and Supreme Imam Al-Azhar Ahmad al-Tayeb of a document called «Human Brotherhood for World Peace and Colife».
That meeting, held in Abu Dhabi, was aimed at developing dialogue between world religions, overcoming interfaith contradictions, discussing issues of preventing interreligious hatred and conflicts, where such enmity becomes their catalyst and leads to intransigence and bitterness. Religious leaders emphasized in their document that true Faith promotes harmony both in the inner and in the world around man, should help rapprochement, and not become the cause of enmity, hatred, much less — violence.
Establishing a new memorable date, the UN General Assembly called on all UN member states, as well as the entire world community, religious leaders, members of religious communities, representatives of different faiths, to try to remember what true Faith teaches: tolerance, love, sympathy and mutual assistance, without which it is impossible to build any future. The principles of human brotherhood, based on interreligious and intercultural dialogue, contribute to the sustainable development of humanity, while enmity, conflict and war hinder this process.
The UN also draws the attention of the world community to the fact that reality poses new challenges to humanity. One of them was the COVID-19 pandemic. Once again, the realization that only through joint efforts can this threat be overcome becomes the most important step towards rapprochement and unity.
Tolerance, pluralism, mutual respect and diversity of religions and beliefs contribute to human brotherhood. It is therefore necessary to carry out activities aimed at promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue to strengthen peace and social stability, respect for diversity and mutual respect and to create an atmosphere conducive to peace and understanding at the global, as well as regional, national and local levels.
The first week of February is also celebrated by the UN as World Week of Harmonious Interfaith Relations between All Religions, Religions and Confessions. Only the principles of human brotherhood achieved at the international level can help humanity overcome global social, economic, political and cultural problems. Peace, the UN General Assembly emphasizes, — is not just the absence of war, but a process of interaction and building relationships, development through overcoming contradictions through dialogue, cooperation and mutual understanding.
Postcard February «4 — International Day of Human Brotherhood»