On the first-ever International Day of Human Fraternity on Thursday, Egypt's Al-Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed El-Tayyeb called on the world to join the interfaith and intercultural landmark Document of Human Fraternity and to support its aim of achieving fraternity, freedom, equality and justice.

Al-Tayyeb, the leader of the Sunni Muslim world’s top religious institution, met virtually with Pope Francis of the Catholic Church earlier today to mark the occasion.

The occasion dates back to the signing of the Document of Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together between Pope Francis and Al-Tayyeb in Abu Dhabi on 4 February 2019.

The Muslim leader said the event, which was declared by the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly in December 2020, is a message of peace to all humanity to cement brotherhood and cooperation, end wars, spread tolerance, and reject hatred.

The UN resolution to declare 4 February as the International Day of Human Fraternity aims to support all sincere efforts to mainstream the culture of coexistence and to combat discrimination, racism and hatred.

"It is a victory for the dignity of man, regardless of his religion, gender, colour or location," El-Tayeb stressed, adding that applying this document needs a sincere will and solid determination.

"I'm committed to continue working with my brother Pope Francis and with my brother scholars and symbols of religion, as well as with all those who love good and peace, to render the principles and goals of human brotherhood a tangible reality," he stressed.

During the virtual meeting, both religious leaders granted a fraternity award to the UN secretary-general, Antonio Guterres, and the Moroccan Latifah Ibn Ziaten, whose son was murdered in France, and launched a campaign to put an end to religious extremism.