The Sheikh of Al-Azhar receives members of the jury of the Zayed Prize for Human Fraternity 2026
His Eminence the Grand Imam, Professor Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Sheikh of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Chairman of the Council of Muslim Elders, in the Sheikhdom of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif in Cairo, received members of the jury of the Zayed Prize for Human Fraternity in its seventh session 2026; The visiting Independent World Award delegation included: Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Charles Michel, former President of the European Council and former Prime Minister of Belgium, His Excellency Counselor Mohamed Abdel Salam, Secretary General of the Zayed Prize for Human Fraternity, and Moussa Faki Mahamat, former Chairman of the African Union Commission and former Prime Minister of Chad.
During the meeting, His Eminence the Grand Imam expressed He welcomed the members of the jury of the Zayed Prize for Human Fraternity at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, stressing that the first visit of the members of the committee to Egypt represents an extension of the process of human brotherhood that began in Cairo in 2017, and culminated in His Eminence signing with the late His Holiness Pope Francis, the former Pope of the Catholic Church, the historic Document on Human Fraternity in Abu Dhabi in 2019, adding that the award bears the name The wise man of the Arabs, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, “may God rest his soul,” the founder of the United Arab Emirates, and it is an extension of his good path in serving humanity and supporting the weak. Egypt is the cradle of tolerance and coexistence. It presents to the world an unrepeatable model for achieving the values of peaceful coexistence, brotherhood, and tolerance, and protecting and enhancing them through the establishment of the Egyptian Family House, which contributed to strengthening and protecting this model, adding that all religions came to consolidate the values of peace, brotherhood, and coexistence, and they are all human values that we are now in dire need of strengthening in our societies, after many wars have recently engulfed our world. And conflicts.
The Sheikh of Al-Azhar affirmed his confidence in the sincere efforts made by the members of the Zayed Prize for Human Fraternity jury to achieve the goals of the Human Fraternity Document, for which the award was established, explaining that history expects them to contribute to laying the foundations of peace and brotherhood in the world, stressing that the Zayed Prize for Human Fraternity has today become one of the platforms The independent international organization that honors sincere efforts in the service of humanity, calling on the members of the committee to assume their historical responsibility in choosing personalities and initiatives that embody the spirit of human brotherhood in its highest form, and once again present to the world models that inspire generations and deepen the belief that peace and understanding are possible, no matter how many challenges and how diverse cultures are.
For their part, the jury members affirmed their commitment to selecting Honorees in the seventh cycle of the award who continue the path of honorary honorees; His Eminence the Grand Imam Ahmed Al-Tayeb, and the late His Holiness Pope Francis, in a way that reflects the spirit of the document and its noble humanitarian goals.
His Excellency Counselor Mohamed Abdel Salam, Secretary General of the Zayed Prize for Human Fraternity, confirmed that the visit of the jury to the Arab Republic of Egypt comes based on the historical role of this ancient country in the process of civilizational and humanitarian progress, and its great contributions to supporting issues of dialogue and consolidating the values of dialogue, tolerance and coexistence. Joint, saying that the meeting of the members of the jury with His Eminence the Grand Imam, Professor Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Sheikh of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, President of the Council of Muslim Elders, the most prominent Islamic authority in the world and one of the founding figures of the path of human brotherhood, constitutes a pivotal pillar and essential support for the award’s efforts to highlight models and initiatives that embody the values of human brotherhood.
While Her Excellency Saida Mirziyoyeva, Head of Administration, said The Presidency of the Republic of Uzbekistan: “We were pleased to meet His Eminence the Grand Imam Ahmed Al-Tayeb in Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, this oldest and most prestigious edifice in the history of science and dialogue between people. Our meeting discussed the prospects for joint efforts to enhance the values of human brotherhood and contribute to building a more secure and dignified world for humans. This meeting renewed our conviction of the importance of honoring figures who dedicated their lives to consolidating the values of coexistence and service to humanity wherever they may be. His Excellency Charles Michel, former President of the European Council and former Prime Minister of Belgium, said: “The visit of the International Arbitration Committee to the Arab Republic of Egypt, a country that has formed throughout the ages a prominent meeting place of civilizations and a pillar of human history, and our visit to Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, as a global beacon of knowledge and a solid stronghold of wisdom and knowledge, and our discussion with a prominent Islamic figure such as the Grand Imam Ahmed Al-Tayeb, remind us of the essential purpose.” On which the Zayed Prize for Human Fraternity is based. This award seeks to enhance humanity and develop human civilization by supporting human development paths, establishing a culture of constructive dialogue, and affirming the role of education as an essential pillar for a more prosperous and expanded future for all generations.” Meanwhile, His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, former Chairman of the African Union Commission and former Prime Minister of Chad, confirmed that the meeting with His Eminence the Grand Imam Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb highlighted the fundamental role played by the religious and moral leadership in consolidating the values of peaceful coexistence, especially in conflict areas. We are moving forward in the process of selecting this year’s honorees in a conscious and responsible spirit, guided by the importance of consolidating the values of reconciliation, preserving the most fragile societies, and empowering rising generations, considering these principles as basic foundations for ensuring a more stable and humane future.” Two advisors to the 2026 Prize jury participated in the visit; Her Excellency Baroness Patricia Scotland, Member of the British House of Lords, former Secretary-General of the Organization of Commonwealth States, and Mr. Adama Dieng, African Union Special Envoy for the Prevention of Genocide and former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations.
It is noteworthy that the meeting of the award jury with His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar comes within the framework of the agenda of its visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt, which included a number of direct in-person meetings to discuss the nominations received for the award in its seventh edition in 2026, in addition to a number of events and field visits, including a visit to Al-Azhar Mosque, the Grand Egyptian Museum, and a number of other religious and cultural institutions in Cairo. The Zayed Human Fraternity Award was named in honor of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, founder of the United Arab Emirates. It honors individuals and entities who make great contributions to spreading and promoting the values of human brotherhood and solidarity around the world. The award has celebrated 16 honorees from 15 countries, including the Sheikh of Al-Azhar, Pope Francis, and Egyptian Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub, since its establishment in 2019, in commemoration of the historic meeting in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, which brought together His Eminence the Grand Imam, Professor Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Sheikh of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, with the late Pope Francis, the former Pope of the Catholic Church. Where they signed the “Document on Human Fraternity” together. Historical.
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