Top-level interreligious group, the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, organized the day of worldwide prayer scheduled for May 14, which falls during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset.
Egypt’s Grand Imam Ahmad al-Tayeb has also welcomed the initiative. He invited people around the world to pray and do charitable works “for the sake of Allah Almighty, in order to lift this pandemic off us and the entire world,” in a post on Facebook.
The day will be historic moment, according to Pope Francis’ aide Monsignor Yoannis Lahzi Gaid, a priest from Egypt and a member of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity.
“It will be the first time that all humanity has united for a single goal: to pray together, each according to their faith, giving proof that faith unites, not divides,” said Gaid in an interview with Al Arabiya English.
The pandemic has crossed borders and cultures indiscriminately, affecting people’s lives regardless of their religion and background.
“The virus has made us understand our fragility and the need to unite as brothers. We can’t come out of this separately,” said Gaid.
“COVID-19 has brought us all to our knees. But kneeling is the best position to pray,” he added.
The Committee, which was established last year with the support of the United Arab Emirates, is also calling for people to pray for scientists to find a vaccine as soon as possible.
Though the areas of modern science and traditional faith are often perceived as incompatible, Gaid said there is no contradiction between the two, as demonstrated by the pandemic.
“There is a complementary. Science without faith remains without horizon and faith without science remains without support. This is a great lesson of COVID-19,” said Gaid.
This is not the first time the Committee’s diverse set of international religious leaders and scholars have emphasized science.
