Let the world unite in ‘Prayer for Humanity’

COVID-19 has cut across all borders and inflicted huge suffering around the globe. The shared global vulnerability to the coronavirus pandemic has reinforced the realisation that we all belong to one human race, and that compassion, love and feelings of brotherhood should be recognised and embraced in total earnestness.

It is heartening that Thursday will witness a global united effort where individuals from all walks of life and belief systems will come together in reflection and prayer.

The Higher Committee for Human Fraternity, HCHF, has initiated the ‘Prayer for Humanity’ call, inviting religious leaders and faithful around the world to a day of fasting, prayers and supplications for “the good of all humanity” and “an end to the COVID-19 pandemic”. The noble initiative deserves wholehearted support.

As pointed out by HCHF Secretary-General Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, following the launch of the action on May 2, 2020, the committee has received global support from a large number of religious, political leaders and institutions from all over the world.

Led by Sheikh Dr. Ahmed el-Tayyeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar, and His Holiness Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church, many state presidents, prime ministers, along with religious leaders, political figures, media personalities, social influencers and prestigious educational institutions have also supported the call to pray for humanity.

World peace and human fraternity form the core pillars of UAE society, that has carried forward the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who created a nation that has become host to individuals from all walks of life, coexisting peacefully.

What better evidence is needed for this than more than 200 nationalities living and working in total peace and harmony in this glorious nation?

The fact that the UAE helped oversee the creation of the Human Fraternity Document is a true testament of the UAE leadership and its people’s belief in unity, fraternity, and peace for all, as Judge Mohamed Abdelsalam mentioned.

The massive show of support to the call from various quarters reveals the strength of social cohesion in the UAE.

The Lutheran World Federation, LWF, President Panti Filibus Musa and General Secretary Rev. Dr Martin Junge have announced that they will join Pope Francis and Dr. Ahmed el-Tayyeb in the global initiative.

His Holiness Aram I, the spiritual leader of the Holy See of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church too has expressed his support for the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity’s call to fast and pray on Thursday in a bid to end the pandemic.

So too has Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, who has announced his participation by calling on everyone from all religions to seek help from God and pray to him to end this pandemic, using the hashtag launched by the Committee to participate in this event, #PrayForHumanity. i

Pujya Brahmavihari Swami, Leader of the Hindu Community and Head of BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, has expressed his pride of joining the prayer called for by the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, describing it as an inspirational initiative to get humanity at large united in the face of the COVID-19 onslaught.

UN Secretary-General António Gutteres had also recently urged religious leaders of all faiths to join forces and work for peace around the world and focus on the common battle to defeat COVID-19.

Human solidarity surely has the power to transcend all limits.