UNAOC: I am Grateful to Religious Leaders Who Promote Interfaith Harmony, says Guterres

On Tuesday, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his gratitude to religious leaders across the world who are joining hands to promote dialogue and interfaith harmony.

In his opening remarks at the 9th United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) Global Forum, held in Fez, Kingdom of Morocco, Guterres said: "The declaration “Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together” – co-authored by His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed El Tayeb – is a model for compassion and human solidarity."

He continued: "We need this spirit more than ever. Together, we can build an alliance of peace that spans the global and the local to meet the tests of our time."

If we recognize diversity as richness, we can live lives of dignity and opportunity, the UN Chief noted.

Also in this regard, he indicated that the Holy Quran teaches us that God created nations and tribes “so that we might know one another”.

"At this time of peril, let us take inspiration and stand together as one human family. Rich in diversity, equal in dignity and rights, united in solidarity."