As world leaders gathered at the United Nations, the United Arab Emirates laid out its vision for religious harmony, unveiling plans for an interfaith complex in the country’s capital that will house a mosque, a church and a synagogue.
Commissioned by the Higher Committee for Human Fraternity, The Abrahamic Family House will serve as a place of individual worship but also for inter-religious dialogue and exchange.
The initiative was born out of Pope Francis’ visit to the UAE in February during which the Pope and the Grand Imam of al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb signed a joint declaration promoting human fraternity.
The complex will be located on Saadiyat Island, near the Louvre Abu Dhabi, and designed by award-winning architect David Adjaye. The design incorporates worship spaces for each religion as well as a shared space for collaboration and informal gathering.