ETHIOPIA: Conference Held on Human Fraternity
Ethiopia: Conference Held on Human Fraternity
Habtamu Abrdew Beture
An inter-religious conference on the International Human Fraternity day, coordinated by an NGO Amen Ethiopia for Peace in collaboration with the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates to Ethiopia has been held in Addis Ababa.
On the occasion, His Eminence Cardinal Berhaneyesus who is the Metropolitan Catholic Archbishop for Addis Ababa and His Excellency Grand Mufti Haj Umer Idris President of the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council delivered fraternity messages.
Cardinal Berhaneyesus in his message said that “the concept of human fraternity is especially relevant to our country more than ever today. Since our country has a long history of religious diversity and cooperation, the concept of brotherhood is of great value. As central message in the International Fraternity document, the concept of brotherhood that we find as our guide is needed today and we must follow it as a guiding light.”
H.E. Grand Mufti Haj Idris on his part said “languages, colour, ethnic, sex and other differences are given to humanity by the Creator God/ Allah himself. All these diversities are foundations to our unity but we must respect them. The core cause of violence is generated from the ignorance of the Creator and His teachings. They are also as a result of disobedience on the part of human being to his Creator.
His Excellency Archbishop Antonie Camilleri Apostolic Nuncio to Ethiopia and Djibouti presented a reflection on the papal encyclical Fratelli Tutti. Some of the topics included the Islamic and Christian perspective of the local situation; an overview of the conflict situation in Ethiopia; and ways of investigating the root cause of conflicts.
Muslim and Christian scholars presented the teachings of their beliefs and reflected on the International Fraternity Document signed by Pope Francis and Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed el-Tayeb on February 4, 2019.
