Under the patronage of the President of the State, Abdullah bin Zayed witnesses the honoring of the winners of the Zayed Human Fraternity Award

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, witnessed the ceremony honoring the winners of the Zayed Human Fraternity Award in its fifth session for the year 2024.

The honoring ceremony, which was held yesterday evening at the Zayed Founder’s Memorial and under the slogan “Tales of Light,” was attended by His Excellency President Jose Ramos-Horta, President of the Democratic Republic of East Timor, His Excellency Ma’ruf Amin, Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, and His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance. And coexistence, His Excellency Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, His Excellency Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, His Excellency Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State, His Excellency Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State, and His Excellency Mohammed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi. His Excellency Maryam Al Muhairi, Head of International Affairs at the Presidential Office, His Excellency Mugheer Al Khaili, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development, His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Butti, Head of the National Media Office, and a number of senior officials, ambassadors, members of the award’s jury, and a number of international figures.

The honoring ceremony coincided with the celebration of the International Day of Human Fraternity, which was unanimously approved by the United Nations to celebrate the signing of the Human Fraternity Document in Abu Dhabi on February 4, 2019.

The award honored the two humanitarian societies in Indonesia, Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah, the world-famous Egyptian heart surgeon Sir Magdi Yacoub, and Sister Nelly Leon Correa, president and co-founder of a non-governmental organization in Chile, who shared the award for the year 2024.

The award is keen to honor individuals and institutions from different parts of the world, who work to enhance solidarity, integrity, justice and optimism at the local and international levels, and seek to achieve a breakthrough towards peaceful coexistence.

His Holiness Pope Francis, Pope of the Catholic Church, His Eminence the Grand Imam Professor Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Sheikh of Al-Azhar, His Excellency Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, and His Excellency Alberto Van Klaveren, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Chile, participated in the honoring ceremony via a video clip.

Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah, the two largest Islamic societies in Indonesia with more than 190 million members, were chosen for their valuable humanitarian efforts and efforts to spread peace. They have succeeded in improving the lives of countless Indonesians and vulnerable community groups around the world through the establishment of educational institutions, hospitals and poverty alleviation projects.

As for Professor Sir Magdi Yaqoub, he was honored in appreciation of his efforts in enabling medical care for the most vulnerable groups in society. As founder of the Magdy Yacoub Heart Foundation in Egypt, and the Chain of Hope charity in the UK, Dr. Yacoub has helped save thousands of lives, especially children, and his pioneering surgical techniques have revolutionized heart transplantation. He has received numerous accolades, including a British knighthood. The Grand Order of the Nile and the Order of Merit from Queen Elizabeth II.

Sister Nelly Correa – known as “Mother Nelly” – was chosen in recognition of her work in supporting women in prisons and recently released women, and reintegrating them back into their communities as productive members, through her foundation “Fundación Mujer Levántate” (Resilient Women’s Foundation).

The Foundation's work is based on the perspective of human brotherhood, as it runs a temporary shelter for female prisoners who have nowhere to go when they are released.

His Eminence the Grand Imam, Professor Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Sheikh of Al-Azhar, said on this occasion: “This award derives its strength and continuity – after God Almighty – from the venerable personality of the Arabs, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, God willing, “may God rest his soul.” It also reflects The tireless efforts and continuous approach of the United Arab Emirates in spreading the culture of brotherhood and world peace.”

His Holiness Pope Francis, Pope of the Catholic Church, said: “The Zayed Prize for Human Fraternity for the year 2024 was presented to those who have made tireless efforts to express their commitment to promoting peaceful coexistence and the progress of humanity. I am confident that honoring these figures serves as an incentive for others to undertake initiatives based on fruitful cooperation between… People of different faiths serve humanity as a whole.”

For his part, Counselor Mohammed Abdel Salam, Secretary General of the Zayed Prize for Human Fraternity, explained that the independent judging committee for the award in the 2024 edition reviewed hundreds of nominations from inspiring and influential individuals and organizations, noting that this year’s honorees are the Nahdlatul Ulama Society, the Muhammadiyah Society, and Professor Sir Magdi. Jacob and Sister Nelly Lyonne Corea are true champions of human brotherhood across cultures, countries and various fields, and this year’s honor confirms that the award is truly a global initiative and a very important platform for promoting the values ​​of human brotherhood.

Sheikh Yahya Cholil Stakov, Chairman of the Indonesian Nahdlatul Ulama Association, said: “Nahdlatul Ulama is honored to be honored with the 2024 Zayed Human Fraternity Award, along with our sister Indonesian organization, Jamia Muhammadiyah. This moment unites the people of Indonesia and all people of good will around the world, and this will enable us to The award comes from continuing our humanitarian and peacebuilding efforts as the largest Islamic organization in the world with more than 121 million members.”

Dr. Haider Nasher, Director General of the Muhammadiyah Society, said: “The importance of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity lies in that it is a driving force for increasing human awareness and establishing the idea that we do not live on this earth alone, but rather are linked by the values ​​of sincere and authentic brotherhood, and we express our pride and enthusiasm to continue working efficiently to carry out humanitarian roles.” At the local, regional and global levels.

In turn, the famous heart surgeon, Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub, said: “I am honored to be a small part in this great endeavor that unites people around the world so that we contribute to spreading justice, integrity and non-discrimination among people everywhere. I also look forward to working with the Zayed Prize team.” For human brotherhood to achieve our common goals.

Sister Nelly Leon Correa, president and co-founder of the Fundación Mujer Levántate (Resilient Women Foundation), said: “More than 14,000 kilometers from Abu Dhabi, in the women’s prison in Santiago in Chile, female prisoners are currently accompanying us in this tribute event, and when they found out… “I had received the award. They felt that they were winners too, and they expressed this with true cries of happiness, a cry of joy rarely heard inside a prison facility. This award will be a new incentive for us to work for them and for their children and families.”