The UN General Assembly, acting without a vote, adopted on Monday a resolution seeking to mark Feb. 4 as the International Day of Human Fraternity each year, starting in 2021.
Adopting the resolution, submitted jointly by Saudi Arabia; United Arab Emirates; Bahrain; and Egypt; the General Assembly also invited member states; the United Nations system; as well as others to observe Feb.4 every year in a manner they would each consider appropriate to promote interreligious and intercultural dialogue.
The resolution is an embodiment of the pioneering role of Saudi Arabia and the joint efforts of the countries sponsoring the resolution in combating religious hate speech as well as spreading a culture of tolerance.
In a statement on Monday, the United Nations expressed its encouragement for activities aimed at strengthening interfaith and intercultural dialogue in order to promote peace, social stability, respect for diversity and the pursuit of mutual respect, and to create an environment conducive to achieving peace and mutual understanding at the global level and also at the regional, national and local levels.
Introducing the resolution on behalf of Saudi Arabia; Bahrain; and Egypt; the representative of the UAE also said the day is a response to growing religious hatred amid the COVID‑19 pandemic.
