The mosque at the site of the Abrahamic Family House.

The Abrahamic Family House, a new centre for learning, dialogue and the practice of faith, was inaugurated on February 16. Located in the Saadiyat Cultural District in Abu Dhabi, the site encompasses three houses of worship — Ahmed El-Tayeb Mosque, Francis Church, and the Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue —  besides serving as a forum for gathering and dialogue.

On February 17, the first interfaith conference there focussed on mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence. The panel discussions brought together leading historians, religious figures and scholars from across the world, exploring notions of interfaith dialogue, coexistence and understanding.

Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, delivered the keynote address, highlighting how the Abrahamic Family House’s inaugural gathering, through diverse speakers, embodied the United Arab Emirate’s values of mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence.

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“By establishing the Abrahamic Family House here in Abu Dhabi, with the strong support of the leaders and the people of the United Arab Emirates,” he said, “we hope to work together to enhance our ability to share our values of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence with the entire world.”

The first panel involved a discussion about the significant accomplishments made since the signing of the Document on Human Fraternity by Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church, and Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, in 2019.

The panellists included Cardinal Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot, Chief Rabbi Yehuda Sarna, and Professor Mohammed Al Mahrasawi. Judge Mohammed Abdelsalam, Secretary-General of the Higher Committee on Human Fraternity, moderated the session.

An exterior view of the church.

In the second keynote address, Cardinal Michael Fitzgerald, President Emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue said: “It is the hope and intention of His Holiness the Pope, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb, and the leaders of this beloved nation, that the Document on Human Fraternity be known to all. The Abrahamic Family House realises that hope and is an incarnation of the spirit of the Document.”

The second panel, moderated by Professor Mariet Westermann, Vice-Chancellor of New York University Abu Dhabi, highlighted the importance of intercultural dialogue. The two panellists, Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, cultural advisor to the President of the United Arab Emirates, and Chief Rabbi David Rosen, International Director of Interreligious Affairs for the American Jewish Congress, shared their thoughts on the impact of cultural diplomacy. The final panel focussed on empowering youth through intercultural dialogue with May Al Hajeri, the former UAE Youth Delegate to the United Nations, Samuel Sievers, Yazan Shehada and Matthew Ayoub, the three founders of the Youth Tolerance Association.The closing address was made by Ambassador Huda Nonoo, the first female Ambassador from the Kingdom of Bahrain and also the first Jewish Ambassador of an Arab country in Washington D.C., USA.

On the occasion of the inauguration on February 16, Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, President of the Abrahamic Family House, said that “the Abrahamic Family House is symbolic of the UAE’s longstanding values of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence — values embodied by our Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed. The centre will be a platform for learning and dialogue, a model of coexistence set against the backdrop of the multiculturalism and diversity of our nation, where more than 200 nationalities live peacefully side-by-side.”

A view of the synagogue.

During the inauguration, Professor Mohammed Al Mahrasawi, Co-chair of Higher Committee for Human Fraternity and former President of Al-Azhar University said: “The Abrahamic Family House is a true reflection of the provisions of the Document on Human Fraternity, which calls for ensuring peaceful coexistence. It is a testament to the vision of the United Arab Emirates and its leaders towards promoting interfaith dialogue and peace among all.”

Cardinal Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot, President of The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue of The Holy See said: “The Abrahamic Family House is a concrete example for people of different religions, cultures, traditions, and beliefs to return to the essential: love of neighbour.” Sir Ephraim Mirvis, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth said: “On this historic day, we have gathered to celebrate this remarkable monument to loving kindness – the Abrahamic Family House. From today onwards, let us use this extraordinary and sacred site to promote harmony and peace.”  

The Abrahamic Family House embodies the diversity of Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE, home to vibrant multicultural communities of various faiths. The project was inspired by the principles in the Document on Human Fraternity, signed by Pope Francis and Grand Imam Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb in Abu Dhabi, in 2019. The House will welcome visitors to the forum and for guided tours starting March 1.