My experience as a Human Fraternity fellow has been transformative both personally and professionally. As a young Emirati committed to diplomacy and coexistence, the fellowship allowed me to live the principles I study and advocate for. The most powerful moment for me was during Friday prayers at Jakarta’s Grand Istiqlal Mosque, where fellows and mentors of different cultures and faiths came together in a profound act of shared humanity. Equally memorable was our dialogue with His Eminence Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo at the Jakarta Cathedral, where honest conversations fostered deep understanding. These encounters crystallized the fellowship’s essence that our differences are not barriers but bridges when met with compassion and openness.
My academic background in politics, international law, and diplomacy shaped how I approached these moments. Dialogue, to me, is not just an exchange of ideas but a practice of listening with humility and engaging with sincerity. The fellowship expanded this outlook, showing me that coexistence is not simply a principle to uphold but a source of strength that nurtures trust and hope. It reminded me that meaningful engagement across cultures, beliefs, and experiences enriches us all.
On a professional level, I carry back lessons on how interfaith and intercultural dialogue can inform more inclusive policymaking, strengthen diplomacy, and encourage global collaboration. Personally, it deepened my conviction that human fraternity must be lived daily through empathy, respect, and unity. The fellowship also gave me a platform to share the UAE’s model of coexistence, where more than 200 nationalities live in harmony and milestones like Pope Francis’ 2019 historic visit to Abu Dhabi, the Abrahamic Family House, and COP28 Interfaith Summit illustrate how dialogue and compassion can inspire global peace. In this sense, the fellowship was far more than a valuable experience; it became a living testament to the transformative power of dialogue, and a call to carry its light forward guided by peace, prosperity, and above all, unity.
