International Day of Human Fraternity
On the occasion of the International Day of Human Fraternity, Freemuslim joins the international community in reaffirming the principle of shared human dignity and universal unity. This day serves as a moral reminder that humanity, despite its diversity, is bound by a common origin and a collective responsibility to rise above artificial divisions. The organization recalls the timeless Qur’anic declaration: “O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may come to know one another.” This divine call establishes diversity not as a cause for conflict, but as a foundation for mutual understanding, coexistence, and cooperation. The Almighty God has spoken the truth.
The concept of taʿāruf—“knowing one another”—extends far beyond superficial interaction. It is a profound ethical framework that calls for building bridges of compassion, mutual recognition of rights, and shared moral responsibility. This principle was eloquently articulated by Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him) in his historic covenant to Malik al-Ashtar, where he laid down a universal rule for governance and coexistence, stating: “People are of two kinds: either your brother in faith, or your equal in creation.” This statement remains one of the most powerful expressions of human fraternity in moral and political thought.
Despite the clarity of these values, the current reality in many Arab countries reflects a troubling departure from them. Ongoing wars and violent conflicts in Syria, Palestine, Sudan, Yemen, and other parts of the region represent a grave assault on human fraternity, where the dignity of the “equal in creation” is systematically violated under the machinery of destruction. These conflicts do not merely devastate infrastructure; they erode the moral foundations of societies and normalize the dehumanization of others.
Equally alarming is the persistence of exclusionary ideologies and sectarian rhetoric that continue to fracture social cohesion. Discourses rooted in hatred and incitement contradict the Qur’anic vision that elevates diversity as a means for mutual recognition rather than domination or eradication. Such narratives weaken social trust and perpetuate cycles of fear and violence, undermining any genuine prospect for peaceful coexistence.
Moreover, the expanding crises of displacement and poverty across the Arab world expose a deep structural failure in understanding human fraternity. The neglect of refugees, internally displaced persons, and the economically marginalized reflects an erosion of ethical responsibility. True fraternity necessitates solidarity, justice, and equality, especially toward the most vulnerable members of society.
In light of these realities, the Global Nonviolence Organization ,Freemuslim calls on Arab governments, religious institutions, and civil society actors to adopt the principle of “the equal in creation” as a practical and binding framework in public policy and social relations. Any action or discourse that diminishes human dignity on the basis of ethnicity, belief, or identity must be unequivocally rejected and criminalized. The organization further calls for an immediate end to the language of arms and violence, emphasizing that fraternity can only be realized through dialogue, reconciliation, and a sincere commitment to peaceful coexistence.
The organization also stresses the urgent need for comprehensive educational reform. Embedding the Qur’anic verse “and made you peoples and tribes that you may come to know one another” within educational curricula is essential for cultivating a new generation grounded in openness, mutual respect, and global responsibility. Education remains the most powerful tool for dismantling inherited prejudices and fostering a culture of peace.
Finally, the organization reaffirms that human fraternity obliges moral and practical solidarity with the oppressed. At the forefront of this responsibility stands the Palestinian people, who continue to endure systematic injustice and collective punishment. Their suffering demands not silence, but a unified and principled humanitarian response from the global community.
Freemuslim concludes by affirming that the Arab world will not regain its stability or moral strength without a sincere return to these foundational human values—values in which every individual is honored by virtue of their humanity, and where justice and equality prevail equally between the “brother” and the “equal.”
