The Abrahamic Family House, for a world of tolerance and peace
In 2019, Pope Francis was the first pope to make an official visit to Abou Dhabi. During this visit, Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Dr. Ahmed Al Tayeb, made history by jointly signing a document on human fraternity calling for tolerance, universal peace, and reconciliation between all religions.
To commemorate this historical visit and in line with the charter of human fraternity, the government of the United Arab Emirates decided to build on Saadiyat Island the Abrahamic Family House, an architectural space of nearly 6,000 square meters dedicated to the three monotheistic religions. Inaugurated in 2023, it includes a church, a mosque, and a synagogue, as well as a forum.
Inaugurated in 2023, the project was made possible because the values advocated by the charter on human fraternity are the same as those of the United Arab Emirates, where more than 200 nationalities live together in peace.
Convinced that coexistence between religions is possible through dialogue, mutual understanding, and peaceful practice of faith, the government wanted to offer believers (and non-believers) from around the world the opportunity to engage in interreligious dialogue through discussion forums, events, masterclasses, etc., or simply by visiting the three places of worship and getting to know each others faith practicing.
The extensive educational program offered by the Abrahamic Family House has been developed in partnership with the best schools and universities in the world.
The values of tolerance promoted by the Abrahamic Family House are deeply rooted in the very history of the United Arab Emirates.
Indeed, from the early days of Islam, in the 7th and 8th centuries, there is evidence of monasteries and churches on the islands of Sir Bani Yas in Abu Dhabi and Siniya in Umm Al Quwain, proving the presence of a Christian community in the region. There is also evidence of a Jewish community, with the discovery of a tombstone engraved in Hebrew: "Here lies the resting place of David, son of Moses."
As for its architecture, the Abrahamic Family House is the work of the Anglo-Ghanaian architect, Sir David Adjaye Omobe, an internationally renowned architect and recipient of the Royal Institute of British Architects Gold Medal. He has completed numerous projects worldwide (the Nobel Prize Center in Oslo, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC, the Aïshti Foundation in Beirut, etc.).
Sir David is known for his eclectic style and his use of innovative materials. transparency and light, and the creation of symbolic monuments that tell a story combining the intimate with the collective.
To embody the purpose and values conveyed by the Abrahamic Family House, he began by identifying the materials usually used in the three worship places : limestone, wood, and bronze. He utilized these materials in the construction of the three places of worship, emphasizing the specificity and religious references of each. He was adamant that the three buildings should be equally beautiful, impressive, and of the same size to avoid any suggestion of hierarchy among the religions.
The Ahmed El Tayeb Mosque
The mosque was named in honor of the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Dr. Ahmed El Tayeb, co-signer with Pope Francis of the document on human fraternity. The mosque is oriented toward Mecca and features typical details of Islamic religious art, such as the seven arches outside the mosque, symbolizing divine transcendence and spiritual perfection as well as the importance of number seven in Islam. Or the nine vaults that meet inside the mosque to form the ceiling. Or the mashrabiya windows, delicately hand-carved in the purest Arab artisanal tradition, in order to allow daylight to illuminate the mosque's interior while preserving the privacy of worshippers, as well as decorative fiber panels serving as a partition between men and women.
Saint Francis Church
As its name indicates, the church is dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi, a 13th-century saint, friend of the poor, patron saint and protector of Pope Francis. It is oriented eastward toward the sunrise, the sun symbolizing the light of God and His glory in Christianity. It is adorned with a forest of columns also facing east. The reflection of light enhances the vertical impression of these columns, which represent both the incarnation of Christ (descending light) and his resurrection (ascending light). More than 13,000 linear meters of wood form the church's vault. The wooden slats arranged in a bundle above the altar refer to the rays of the sun and recall the altar in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
The Moses Maimonides Synagogue
The synagogue is oriented toward Jerusalem. It was named after a great 12th-century Jewish philosopher, Moses Maimonides. The synagogue is built as a shelter for prayer. Its lattice facade echoes the palm branches used by worshippers to build the sukkah or hut during the Sukkot festivals, commemorating the exile of the Jewish people in Sinai and the end of their slavery. The facade protects from the sun during the day and allows a view of the stars at night. A bronze chainmail adorns the inside of the synagogue. It represents a chuppah, or wedding canopy, under which Jewish couples stand during marriage ceremonies.
In a world where tolerance and peace among humans are sorely lacking, such an initiative challenges us and can only be welcomed and respected.