Historic Recognition at the US Senate
In a momentous occasion marking the United States’ 250th independence anniversary celebrations, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates have emerged as the first recipients of international recognition. This prestigious acknowledgment was conferred upon them during an official session held at the US Senate in Washington, where they were honored with the inaugural America 250 Founders’ Promise Award. The award serves to recognize nations that have made significant strides in advancing essential tenets such as religious freedom, equal citizenship, human dignity, and the promotion of peaceful coexistence.
The announcement, as reported by moroccoworldnews.com, followed the conclusion of the America 250: Building on the Legacy and Promise of Religious Freedom Forum, which took place from July 16-17. The first day of this two-day event was hosted at the Museum of the Bible, while the Senate provided a fitting venue for the closing session. This significant gathering attracted a diverse audience, including members of Congress, officials from the State Department, religious leaders, diplomats, policymakers, and international experts.
Acknowledging Contributions to Peace and Tolerance
The America 250 Founders’ Promise Award was specifically established to celebrate the contributions of countries that have fostered a culture of tolerance and peaceful coexistence. The organizing committee, led by Greg Mitchell, the founder and CEO of the International Religious Freedom Secretariat, recognized Morocco for its historical legacy and unwavering commitment to its relationship with the United States. The committee highlighted Morocco’s vital role in promoting religious moderation, advocating citizenship values, and preserving a rich tapestry of religious and cultural diversity.
Morocco’s historical connection with the United States dates back to the late 18th century when it became the first country to formally recognize American independence. In December 1777, Sultan Mohammed III took a momentous step by opening Moroccan ports to American ships, fostering a burgeoning relationship during the tumultuous Revolutionary War. This relationship was further solidified by the Treaty of Peace and Friendship, negotiated in Marrakech and signed by John Adams and Thomas Jefferson in 1786. This treaty, ratified by Congress in 1787, stands as the longest unbroken bilateral agreement in US history.
The UAE was equally honored for its national model that effectively translates values of tolerance, coexistence, and interfaith dialogue into impactful policies and initiatives. The organizing committee commended the UAE for its contributions to humanitarian diplomacy and for constructing bridges of trust and cooperation among diverse peoples. The forum featured keynote addresses from prominent figures, including Senator Jim Lankford, Senator Jim Risch, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Riley Barnes, Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, among others. Ambassador Sheikh Al-Mahfoudh bin Bayyah, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace, emphasized the importance of protecting religious minorities and promoting equal citizenship, citing the Moroccan and Emirati experiences as exemplary models for fostering peace and coexistence.
Bin Bayyah also referenced the groundbreaking 2016 Marrakech Declaration, a collaborative initiative between Morocco’s Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs and the Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace, which garnered support from over 250 Muslim religious leaders across more than 120 countries. This declaration, rooted in the principles of the Charter of Medina, aims to safeguard minority rights within Muslim-majority nations and was later adopted during the 13th session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Summit in Istanbul. Bin Bayyah asserted that this declaration signifies the first contemporary institutional revival of the Charter of Medina’s core principles concerning citizenship, religious pluralism, and peaceful coexistence.
