With His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam Sheikh of Al-Azhar

February 4th, International Day of Human Fraternity!

What Are Its Origins?

Media of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC)

Since 2020, February 4th is no longer just another day, now it represents an international call to end violence and hatred hostile speeches… it is now a day that reminds us of our fraternity no matter our nationality, ethnicity, society or religion… it is an invitation to work towards peace, justice and stability… hoping to live the rest of our days by the command of Jesus Christ “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 34: 13).

The Middle East is the victim of divisions, conflicts and war nowadays ravaging every single one of his countries. The region is in desperate need of promoting dialogue and deepen fraternity relationships among people, from leaders to officials and citizens.

That’s where His Holiness the Late Pope Francis communicated his third Encyclical “Fratelli Tutti”, Italian for “we are all brothers”, that he signed on the 3rd of October 2020, on the eve of Saint Francis of Assisi, in the Italian city of Assisi. Noting that the letter is addressed to all the people of the earth without exception. Therefore, it has been translated into several languages in order to be distributed globally. In fact, this letter came as a glimmer of hope at a time when social risks, poverty, displacement, climate change and various crises are in control.

“Human Fraternity”: A letter of hope in gloomy days

First, it should be noted that this letter is mainly about human fraternity and social friendship. Its essence lies in the rediscovery of the value of brotherhood and the recognition that we are all brothers and sisters responsible for one another, by preserving the common feeling of belonging that unites us.

"Fratelli Tutti" also aims to adopt a new mentality through these ties. His Holiness Pope Francis referred to it as a "social encyclical," whose title was derived from the "warnings" of Saint Francis of Assisi, his inspiration.

His Holiness the Late Pope Francis chose Assisi where the tomb of Saint Francis is located to sign this Encyclical because he loves “to communicate not only with words, but also with actions: through this initiative he meant to send a message. He invited everyone to ask themselves: “What does Pope Francis want to tell me through signing the Encyclical on the grave… of the saint, the reformer, everyone's brother?”, according to one of the Pope’s assistants, Cardinal Michael Czerny, in charge of the Migrants and Refugees Section of the Dicastery For Promoting Integral Human Development, during an interview with the website of the Jesuits on October 4, 2020.

The Encyclical includes 8 detailed chapters about different humanitarian topics. The chapter one is called “Dark Clouds Over a Closed World”, chapter two “A Stranger on the Road”, chapter three “Envisaging and Engendering An Open World”, chapter four “A Heart Open to the Whole World”, chapter five “A Better Kind of Politics”, chapter six “Dialogue and Friendship in Society”, chapter seven “Paths of Renewed Encounter”, and finally chapter eight would be “Religions at the Service of Fraternity in Our World”. Then the Pope ended his Encyclical with a common ecumenical prayer to the Lord.

“Fratelli Tutti”, An Extension of the “Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together” Document – The International Day of Human Fraternity Sees the Light of Day

The “Fratelli Tutti” is strongly related to the Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together Document signed by His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence The Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmad Al-Tayyeb in Abu Dhabi on February 4, 2019 making it according to the introduction of the Document “…a joint declaration of good and heartfelt aspirations. It is a document that invites all persons who have faith in God and faith in human fraternity to unite and work together so that it may serve as a guide for future generations to advance a culture of mutual respect…”

This Document was the fruit of the International Human Fraternity Conference held in the Emirates and organized by the Muslim Council of Elders. As for its purpose, it was to stimulate dialogue about coexistence and brotherhood among all the people in the world, confronting ideological extremism and its ramifications and deepening human ties between all religions while respecting differences...

His Eminence Sheikh Al-Azhar praised the Encyclical of Pope Francis "We Are All Brothers" and its objectives and content. He expressed his opinion through a post he shared on his official Facebook page. He said: "The Encyclical of my brother Pope Francis - We Are All Brothers - is an extension of the Document of Human Fraternity, revealing the reality of a world living in disorder in its stances and decisions where the vulnerable and marginalized pay the toll... An Encyclical that addresses those with good will and a living conscience, and restores humanity's consciousness."

To commemorate this Fraternity Document and following the launch of several international, regional and local initiatives and religious leaders' efforts to bridge the distances between all religions and cultures, especially the Encyclical of His Holiness Pope Francis, the 4th of February was declared the International Day of Human Fraternity to be celebrated yearly. This came after the United Nations General Assembly adopted the resolution presented by many countries, such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt, requesting that this day be declared as an annual global date. Perhaps this decision would urge the concerned authorities to prevent all kinds of violence and hate speeches…