Sharjah: The United Arab Emirates marked the International Day of Human Fraternity by reaffirming its global role in promoting tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and equality among people of all faiths and cultures.

The occasion commemorates the historic signing of the Human Fraternity Document in Abu Dhabi on 4 February 2019, a landmark event that has since inspired a series of international initiatives to bridge religious and cultural divides.

Key initiatives inspired by the Human Fraternity Document
Since its signing, the document has served as a foundation for several UAE-led initiatives that promote dialogue and understanding. Among the most prominent is the Abrahamic Family House on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, which brings together a mosque, a church, and a synagogue within a single complex.

Another major initiative is the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, named in honour of the late founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The award recognises individuals and organisations that promote the values of tolerance, peace, and human solidarity worldwide.

2026 award honours global peace and education efforts
In its seventh edition in 2026, the award honoured Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, for the historic peace agreement between the two countries. It also recognised Afghan girls’ education advocate Zarqa Yaftali and the Palestinian humanitarian organisation Taawon.

Global platforms for dialogue and cooperation
The UAE also hosts the Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace, which addresses humanitarian challenges arising from intellectual and sectarian conflicts within Muslim societies.

In addition, the country organises the annual Global Tolerance and Human Fraternity Conference. This year’s edition, under the theme “Human Fraternity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” brought together more than 180 international speakers and over 400 religious leaders, thinkers, and participants.