Pope Francis sits with the judges of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity at the Vatican. Courtesy: Zayed Award for Human Fraternity
Pope Francis pictured with Adama Dieng, former UN special adviser on the prevention of genocide
The pontiff with Jusuf Kalla, who was vice president of Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim nation, in 2004–2009 and 2014–2019
The Judging Committee for the #ZayedAward for Human Fraternity was received by His Holiness the Pope, following its first launch for open submissions in its second edition. During the meeting, Pope Francis called on members to identify individuals who can continue their humanitarian efforts after winning the award, highlighting its purpose is to both celebrate the recipients’ achievements but also motivate them to continue to serve humanity.
Pope Francis welcomes Michaelle Jean, former governor-general of Canada, to the Vatican
Pope Francis pictured with Judge Mohamed Abdel Salam, secretary-general of the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity and a representative of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar
Pope Francis met the judges of an award set up to recognise people and organisations who strive for human progress.
During a meeting in Rome, the pontiff thanked the judging committee of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, which was established after the Pope's historic visit to Abu Dhabi last year.
The honour was named after Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father of the UAE, whose "values of humility, humanitarianism and respect epitomise the enduring ideals it seeks to celebrate".
Pope Francis and Ahmed El Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar, were the first recipients last year, after they signed the Document on Human Fraternity in the Emirati capital on February 4.
Pope Francis thanked the judges and called on them to identify people who can continue their humanitarian efforts after winning the award, which comes with $1 million in prize money.
I have shared bread with my brother, the Grand Imam Al Tayeb, and I want you to help humankind, with the committee, to share bread
“I have shared bread with my brother, the Grand Imam El Tayeb, and I want you to help humankind, with the committee, to share bread," he said at the meeting.
"I will pray for you and I hope you that you will pray for me."
This is the first year the Zayed Award is open for nominations, which can be made by senior members of government, former heads of state, supreme court judges, UN leaders, leading academic and cultural figures, heads of NGOs and the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity itself.
The judging committee comprises five members, as well as the secretary general of the higher committee, Judge Mohamed Abdel Salam, a highly regarded Egyptian lawyer and senior representative of the Grand Imam of Al Azhar.
The full panel is comprised:
Catherine Samba-Panza, former president of the Central African Republic
Muhammad Jusuf Kalla, former vice president of Indonesia
Michaelle Jean, former governor-general of Canada
Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, the Catholic Church's highest judicial authority
Adama Dieng, former UN special adviser on the prevention of genocide
Mohamed Abdel Salam, secretary general of the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity
"Our world is suffering and this award will help recognise people and institutions and bring everyone together to advance humanity and peace," he said.
“The award is an opportunity to recognise people around the world who are deeply committed to initiatives that bring people together and promote peaceful co-existence.
“The judging committee will consider people or entities any where in the world who are leading by example.”
The nomination process for the 2021 award opened on October 19 and will close on December 1. The recipient or recipients will be announced on February 4, 2021.
Pope Francis visit to Abu Dhabi, February 5, 2019 - in pictures
Pope Francis blesses a child. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Pope Francis arrives at the Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi for Mass in February 2019. Victor Besa / The National
Pope Francis greets the worshippers. Reem Mohammed / The National
Pope Francis celebrates Mass. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Pope Francis celebrates Mass. Pawan Singh / The National
Pope Francis celebrates Mass. Pawan Singh / The National
Catholics attend Pope Francis's Mass. Reem Mohammed / The National
Catholics attend Pope Francis's Mass. Reem Mohammed / The National
Worshippers strengthen their faith at the Mass of Pope Francis. Victor Besa / The National
People seen during Mass inside the stadium. Pawan Singh / The National
Catholics attend the first Mass carried out by a Pope on the Arabian Peninsula. Reem Mohammed / The National
People taking their photos with a police horse after Mass. Pawan Singh / The National
People come out of the stadium after Mass. Pawan Singh / The National
The crowd leaves after the end of Mass. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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Children who witnessed blood bath want to help others
Aged just 11, Khulood Al Najjar’s daughter, Nora, bravely attempted to fight off Philip Spence. Her finger was injured when she put her hand in between the claw hammer and her mother’s head.
As a vital witness, she was forced to relive the ordeal by police who needed to identify the attacker and ensure he was found guilty.
Now aged 16, Nora has decided she wants to dedicate her career to helping other victims of crime.
“It was very horrible for her. She saw her mum, dying, just next to her eyes. But now she just wants to go forward,” said Khulood, speaking about how her eldest daughter was dealing with the trauma of the incident five years ago. “She is saying, 'mama, I want to be a lawyer, I want to help people achieve justice'.”
Khulood’s youngest daughter, Fatima, was seven at the time of the attack and attempted to help paramedics responding to the incident.
“Now she wants to be a maxillofacial doctor,” Khulood said. “She said to me ‘it is because a maxillofacial doctor returned your face, mama’. Now she wants to help people see themselves in the mirror again.”
Khulood’s son, Saeed, was nine in 2014 and slept through the attack. While he did not witness the trauma, this made it more difficult for him to understand what had happened. He has ambitions to become an engineer.
Two months before the first round on April 10, the appetite of voters for the election is low.
Mathieu Gallard, account manager with Ipsos, which conducted the most recent poll, said current forecasts suggested only two-thirds were "very likely" to vote in the first round, compared with a 78 per cent turnout in the 2017 presidential elections.
"It depends on how interesting the campaign is on their main concerns," he told The National. "Just now, it's hard to say who, between Macron and the candidates of the right, would be most affected by a low turnout."
'Champions'
Director: Manuel Calvo Stars: Yassir Al Saggaf and Fatima Al Banawi Rating: 2/5
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
