Mohammed bin Zayed is the first supporter of the path of human brotherhood

The Sheikh of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Chairman of the Council of Muslim Elders, His Eminence the Grand Imam Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, received, at the Sheikhdom of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif in Cairo, members of the jury of the Zayed Prize for Human Fraternity at its seventh session in 2026, where he thanked His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, “may God protect him,” the first supporter of the path of human brotherhood.

The award delegation included the Head of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Saida Mirziyoyeva, the former President of the European Council, the former Prime Minister of Belgium, Charles Michel, the Secretary-General of the Zayed Prize for Human Fraternity, Counselor Mohamed Abdel Salam, and the former Chairman of the African Union Commission, the former Prime Minister of Chad, Moussa Faki Mohamed.

During the meeting, His Eminence the Grand Imam stressed that the first visit of the members of the committee to Egypt represents an extension of the path of human brotherhood that began in Cairo in 2017, and culminated in his 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 of the late Arab sage Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, “may God rest his soul,” the founder of the United Arab Emirates, It is an extension of his charitable journey in serving humanity and supporting the weak, thanking His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, “may God protect him,” the first supporter of the path of human brotherhood.

The Sheikh of Al-Azhar affirmed his confidence in the sincere efforts made by the award jury members to achieve the goals of the Document on Human Fraternity. For which the award was established, he explained 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 independent global platforms 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 there are. Cultures varied.

For their part, the jury members affirmed their commitment to selecting honorees in the seventh session 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.

Counselor Mohamed Abdel Salam stressed that the jury’s visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt comes based on the historical role of this ancient country in the process of civilizational and human progress, and its great contributions to supporting issues of dialogue and consolidating the values ​​of dialogue, tolerance and coexistence. He said that the meeting of the jury members with His Eminence the Grand Imam Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Sheikh of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders, constitutes a pivotal pillar and essential support for the award’s efforts to highlight models and initiatives that embody the values ​​of human brotherhood.

Meanwhile, Saeeda Mirziyoyeva said: The meeting with His Eminence the Grand Imam discussed the prospects for joint efforts to promote the values ​​of human brotherhood and contribute to building a safer, more dignified world for humans. This meeting renewed our conviction in the importance of honoring the personalities who dedicated their lives to consolidating the values ​​of coexistence and serving humanity wherever they are.

In turn, Charles Michel said that the award seeks to enhance the status of man 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.

While Musa Faki Muhammad stressed that the process of selecting this year’s honorees is carried out in a conscious and responsible spirit, as the committee is guided by the importance of consolidating the values ​​of reconciliation, preserving the most fragile societies, and empowering the rising generations, considering these principles as basic pillars to ensure a more stable and humane future.

Participating in the visit were advisors to the 2026 Prize jury, a member of the British House of Lords, former Secretary-General of the Organization of Commonwealth States, Baroness Patricia Scotland, and the African Union Special Envoy for the Prevention of Genocide and former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, Adama Dieng.