• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

+1-929-274-6217

contactaoc@unops.org

How to Get Involved

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)

United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)

Many cultures. One humanity.

MENUMENU
  • Home
  • Who We Are
        • About Us
          • About the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)
          • UNAOC Secretariat
          • Trust Fund and Donors
          • Vacancy Announcements and Opportunities
        • History
          • History
          • Timeline
          • High Level Group
        • Governance and Leadership
          • Governance and Leadership
          • High Representative
          • High Representative's Statements
          • Previous Leadership
          • Group of Friends
  • What We Do
        • What We Do
          • Programming Overview: Platform for intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation
          • UNAOC News Flash: Read the Latest Updates
        • What We Do
          • United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Annual Activity Reports
          • UNAOC Upcoming Events Calendar
        • Projects and Initiatives
          • An overview of UNAOC's ongoing projects and initiatives
          • How to Get Involved
  • Projects
        • Projects and Initiatives
          • UNAOC Fellowship Program
          • Youth Solidarity Fund
          • Summer Schools
          • Young Peacebuilders
        • Projects and Initiatives
          • PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival
          • Media and Information Literacy Clearinghouse
          • Media & Information Literacy for Teachers
          • PeaceApp
        • Projects and Initiatives
          • Intercultural Innovation Award
          • Intercultural Leaders
          • Hate Speech International Conference
          • View More Projects
        • Campaigns
          • UN Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites
          • Call to Action #forSafeWorship
          • #OneHumanity Campaign
  • Resources
    • All Resources and Publications
    • UN Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites
    • Guiding Documents
    • Implementation Plans
    • Group of Friends Meeting Reports
    • Annual Activity Reports
    • Financial Reports and Audited Financial Statements
    • Publications
  • Global Forums
    • 8th Global Forum
      • 8th UNAOC Global Forum Website
      • 8th Global Forum Report
    • Baku 2016
      • Baku Forum Website
      • Baku Forum Report
    • Bali 2014
      • Bali Forum
    • Vienna 2013
      • Vienna Forum
      • Vienna Forum Documents
    • Doha 2011
      • Doha Forum
    • Rio 2010
      • Rio Forum
    • Istanbul 2009
      • Istanbul Forum
      • Outcomes & Reports from Istanbul Forum
      • Marketplace of Ideas at the Istanbul Forum
      • Istanbul Forum Documents
    • Madrid 2008
      • Madrid Forum
      • Outcomes & Reports from Madrid Forum
      • Speeches & Statements
  • News
        • News and Updates
          • UNAOC News Flash
          • News, Features and Press Releases
          • In Focus (Programming Newsletter)
          • Newsletter Archives
        • High Representative
          • High Representative's Statements
          • UNAOC Press Statements
          • High Representative's Blog
        • Multimedia
          • UNAOC Video Gallery
          • Join the Global Call to Action #forSafeWorship
          • Stories of #OneHumanity
  • Contact

UNAOC High Representative’s Remarks at the UAE Virtual Interfaith Iftar

The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations is committed to continue working on fostering interfaith dialogue and promoting mutual respect and understanding among all people regardless of their culture, religion, race or gender. This is true to the teachings of Islam which views the world as a single family with global citizenship as the basis for cooperation and peaceful coexistence.

May 13, 2020 Filed Under: Featured, High Representative's Statements

Remarks of
Mr. Miguel Moratinos
The High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations
UAE Interfaith Iftar | 13 May 2020

Al Salamu Alayko Wa Rahmatu Allah Wa Barakatu,

Thank you Lana and Ambassdor Otaiba for inviting me to share with you this very special celebration of interfaith Iftar. I am also very pleased to virtually meet H.E. Noura El Kaaby, Minister Of Culture.

The call for prayer is always inspiring especially if it is coming from a place that one can relate to. I was privileged to visit Sheikh Zayed’s Mosque during my trips to the UAE. A magnificent place of worship carrying the name of the founding father of the UAE, HH the late Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan whose anniversary yesterday was marked by Zayed Humanitarian Day.

Today’s Interfaith celebration is a testimony of the virtue of human peaceful co-existence that Sheikh Zayed is known to have instilled in the people of UAE and is embraced by the government.

It is heartening to see religious leaders from across the faith spectrum joining today. I am very pleased that the UAE is building the Abrahamic Family House as an embodiment of interfaith harmony.

This is the spirit that is needed today more than anytime before as we all face this global human crisis.

We have always known Ramadan to be an occasion of communities and families coming together. But being physically apart does not mean that we cannot be spiritually connected .

The call for “Prayer for Humanity” called for by the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity to take place tomorrow came from Abu Dhabi. It was endorsed by HH Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed Al Tayeb and the UN Secretary General. Abu Dhabi is also the same place that saw the birth of the historical document of “Human Fraternity , World Peace and Living Together”. signed by His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in February 2019. I will , personally, join both of them tomorrow in their supplication for human solidarity, compassion and unity.

To defeat this virus, and build back a more sustainable and equitable world, we need communities to come together and stand by each other.

That is also the spirt of the UN Plan of Action to Safeguard Religious Sites which was developed by my office. The plan emphasizes the spirituality and universality of places of worship. I am, therefore, very pleased to learn that the UAE is supporting the reconstruction of Al Saa’a Church in Mosul, Iraq, as well as the 12th century Al Nuri Mosque and its leaning minaret.

The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations is committed to continue working on fostering interfaith dialogue and promoting mutual respect and understanding among all people regardless of their culture, religion, race or gender.

This is true to the teachings of Islam which views the world as a single family with global citizenship as the basis for cooperation and peaceful coexistence.

I conclude by quoting from the Holy Quaran, Surat Al-Hujrat: “Oh, mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other”

Let us draw faith and strength from each other in these holy days of Ramadan.
Let us also remember as we fight this pandemic together, that Humanity is contagious.

Thank you.

Share this

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)

Primary Sidebar

If you wish to receive updates about UNAOC's advocacy and programming activities, please sign up using the form below:

UNAOC Press Room

  • UN Global Programme partners hold first Online Youth Consultation on Preventing Violent Extremism through Sport January 21, 2021 Posted in: Featured, Press Releases
  • Read out of the Meeting of the High Representative for UNAOC with H.E. Ms. Valentina Matviyenko, Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation January 20, 2021 Posted in: Featured, Press Releases
  • Read Out of the Meeting of the High Representative for UNAOC with H.E. Mr. Sergey Lavrov, Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation January 19, 2021 Posted in: Featured, Press Releases
  • United Nations Alliance of Civilization Launches Call for Applications for Youth Solidarity Fund December 17, 2020 Posted in: Featured, Press Releases
Get Involved

UNAOC is the premier global platform for intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation. Learn how you can support UNAOC.

Support UNAOC

Footer

UNAOC News Flash

For the latest news from the United Nations Alliances of Civilizations, browse through the recent editions of our our monthly newsletter.


Programming Newsletter

To view the latest edition of “UNAOC In Focus”, our programming-focused newsletter, click here to browse through our archives.


  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

UNAOC on Twitter

  • "To end anti-Semitism, we should combat all forms of hate, bigotry, and discrimination based on any religion or bel… https://t.co/VXqKrPXwKx
  • RT @PESynagogue: ➡️Live at 7PM: Park East Synagogue and @UN International Holocaust Remembrance virtual service:… https://t.co/gV4rzenXog
  • Tonight at 7pm EST: @PESynagogue and the United Nations will host a virtual International Holocaust Remembrance to… https://t.co/0f6m9XppmW

Copyright © 2019 UNITED NATIONS ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS | 730 THIRD AVENUE, 20TH FLOOR, NEW YORK, NY 10017 | PRIVACY | TERMS | Return to top

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.