International Day of Human Fraternity

[February 4, 2022]

Remarks by Ambassador T.S. Tirumurti

Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations

-----

Excellencies and Friends,

I thank the UN Alliance of Civilisations for organizing this important event. We would like to convey our sincere appreciation to the United Arab Emirates and Egypt for successfully piloting this resolution which proclaims February 4 as the International Day of Human Fraternity. India was happy to co-sponsor this important resolution last year. 

2. On this day, we renew our commitment to human fraternity by promoting pluralism, cultural diversity and advancing dialogue and understanding between religions, cultures and civilizations for fostering a genuine culture of peace. 

3. This date marks the meeting in Abu Dhabi in 2019 between the heads of two major religions of the world. This meeting not only underlines the importance of deepening the understanding between these two Abrahamic religions but in fact between all religions and faiths as well. 

4. The spirit of human fraternity also enjoins us to combat hate and violence not just against Abrahamic religions but combat hate and violence against all religions, including Sikhism, Buddhism and Hinduism. The shattering of the iconic Bamiyan Buddhas, to name one tragic event, stands as a testimony to what hate against other religions can do. 

5. Like the International Day of Human Fraternity, International days are days which should seek to bring all of us together as one family and be celebrated in an inclusive manner. They should not seek to divide us. 

6. As the resolution to commemorate the International Day of Human Fraternity reaffirms, we need to commit ourselves to pluralistic tradition. Pluralism is the protective sheath in which human fraternity blossoms. This is in line with our own belief that The World is One Family – “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.

----