The Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies announced that the Egyptian Family House Initiative won the Imam Al Hassan Bin Ali Award for Peace this year on Tuesday December 12, 2017 at the closing session of the Forum in Abu Dhabi.
The award was received by Dr. Mahmoud Hamdy Zaqzouk, member of the Council of Senior Scholars and Secretary General of the Family House and His Grace Bishop Ermia, General Bishop, head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center and Assistant Secretary General of the Egyptian Family House.
The award was presented by HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates, HH Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development of the United Arab Emirates and Sheikh Abdullah bin Bih, Chairman of Forum for Promoting Peace and member of the Council of Muslim Sages.
This is an annual award dedicated to honor the people and scholars with scientific work and practical initiatives in promoting peace and its’ values in Muslim societies.
The launch of the name of Imam Hassan bin Ali on the award, is inspired by the great position, when he stood by the tribe of the Messenger of God, when he reformed between two great groups of Muslims, stopping blood shed and safeguarding them from annihilation, as well as the restoration of the right of Imam Hassan to be a model for youth in Muslim society.
The Egyptian family House, is an initiative for coexistence adopted by Sheikh Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed Tayeb welcomed by His Holiness late Pope Shenouda III Pope of Alexandria, the objectives of the “Egyptian family house” is to preserve the national unity in Egypt.
The Egyptian family is headed by Sheikh Al-Azhar and Pope of Coptic Church, as well as representatives of Christian communities in Egypt and a number of experts and specialists.
Dr. Hamoudi Zaqzouq said in a speech that Egypt is one house and one people and we believe in all the messages of God and we do not differentiate between one of God messengers. He stressed that Egypt sought to strengthen solidarity and love among the Egyptian people and support it. Zaqzouq thanked HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al – Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab of Emirates, stressing on Egypt’s appreciation to the United Arab of Emirates. He also thanked Sheikh Abdullah bin Bih.
For his part, His Eminence Bishop Ermia, the General Bishop, Assistant Secretary General of the Egyptian Family House, said that the people of the United Arab of Emirates support peace and world peace. He praised the role of the UAE leadership and its support for coexistence among peoples. He added that the family house seeks to spread love among the Egyptian people, and gave an example of the Prophet pardon and tolerance, he continued, that instilling the concept of coexistence is not achieved by words, but by work that demonstrate our determination to work for peace, as a genuine guarantee of rights, appreciating the UAE’s work in supporting and promoting peaceful coexistence.
