Standing Side by Side: Rediscovering Humanity through the Lens of Human Fraternity

 

Uswatun Hasanah

PhD Student in Education batch 3

 

Tuesday, 29th July 2025, marked a historic moment for Indonesia, as it witnessed the official launch of the International Institute for Human Fraternity (IIHF) through a two-day international conference themed “Advancing Human Fraternity Amidst Global Uncertainties: Toward a More Peaceful and Prosperous World Civilization.” The event was initiated by the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity (HCHF), in collaboration with Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII). This momentum represented a concrete follow-up to the Document on Human Fraternity, signed in Abu Dhabi in 2019 by Pope Francis and Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb. The document laid the foundation for promoting peace, mutual understanding, and coexistence across global communities.

The opening ceremony was led by three prominent figures: Prof. Jamhari, Rector of UIII; Dr. Khalid Al-Ghaith, Secretary General of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity; and Dr. Pratikno, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs of Indonesia. Their presence highlighted the importance of this initiative in advancing global peace, interfaith dialogue, and the values of human fraternity. The establishment of the IIHF signifies Indonesia’s growing leadership in fostering inclusive cooperation and ethical responsibility at the international level.

The event continued with a series of thoughtful and emotionally resonant sessions addressing urgent humanitarian issues across the globe. Participants from diverse backgrounds (professions, religions, communities, races, and countries) immersed themselves in the event with a shared goal and a united vision: to take meaningful action in supporting displaced individuals, stateless people, and marginalized communities, so they can live their lives with dignity, recognition, and purpose.

This sense of unity became especially clear during Session 1, titled “Building Fraternity Across Borders: Migration, Poverty Alleviation, and Refugee Solidarity,” when the discussion turned to the global refugee crisis. The session seemed to bring everyone together, as if we were all in the same boat, driven by a shared desire to contribute through our own roles and efforts as a real expression of human fraternity.

This idea was reinforced by one of the speakers, Dr. Valeria Martano, Consultor of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, who offered a powerful reflection on the language we use when engaging with difference. She challenged the use of the word tolerance, explaining that it can imply a sense of superiority, as if one group is in the position to ‘tolerate’ another. Instead, she proposed the terms coexistence and mutual respect, which suggest equality and shared dignity. Her insight reminded me that true human fraternity is not about enduring each other’s presence, but about walking alongside one another with humility and genuine respect. It’s not about who gives space to whom, but how we share that space.

 During this event, I had a conversation with Simon from the Eden community, whose existence I had not been aware of before. It made me realize that just because something is unseen doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. And if it does exist, whether it’s a voice, a struggle, or an identity, it deserves to be recognized with equal rights, equal opportunities, and shared responsibilities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the third session on the first day, during the discussion on The Media’s Role in Bridging Divides, Combating Misinformation, and Promoting Human Fraternity, Simon shared that his community often faces discrimination and even persecution as a result of misleading information circulated on social media. I felt a deep sense of empathy when he shared that reality. It made me realize that while the Human Fraternity program addresses global issues on a broad scale, its values should be applied in our immediate surroundings. This experience reminded me that we don’t always have to look far to practice human fraternity; it starts with the smallest actions and the people closest to us.

The values of accepting diversity and living side by side with others have been deeply instilled at UIII. One of the courses offered at the Faculty of Education is Education in a Pluralistic Society, taught by the Dean, Prof. Nina Nurmila. In this course, she invited guest speakers from minority groups such as the Bahá’í, Shi’a, and Ahmadi communities. Being exposed to their stories and presence made me realize something deeply significant that they are human beings, just like me. When I shook their hands, I felt their skin touching mine , and it felt no different. When they shared joyful stories, their eyes lit up, and I smiled with them. But when they shared painful memories of being discriminated against and persecuted, it tore my heart. In those moments, I stopped seeing differences in labels and started seeing shared humanity.

At the heart of this entire experience, I came to understand a deeper dimension of solidarity. It is important to hold on to our identity, our faith, our culture, our background, but sometimes, the most profound act of fraternity is being willing to set it aside, to stand side by side with those who remain unrecognized by the systems around them. Setting aside our identity, in this sense, becomes an act of compassion and solidarity. It is not a loss, but a gift, an intentional step back to allow others to step forward. As the saying goes, “Nothing can be gained without losing; even heaven demands death.” If letting go of our identity allows our brothers and sisters to reclaim theirs, then the gain is far greater. And that, to me, is what human fraternity truly means.