Abu Dhabi Abrahamic Family House Advances Regional Multi-Faith Integration

Abu Dhabi has formalized its regional position as a center for interfaith dialogue through the operation of the Abrahamic Family House on Saadiyat Island. The complex, which opened to the public in February 2023, serves as a physical manifestation of the Document on Human Fraternity signed by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed El-Tayeb, in 2019. Architecture of Three Faiths Located within the Saadiyat Cultural District, the site houses three distinct places of worship: the Imam Al-Tayeb Mosque , the St. Francis of Assisi Church , and the Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue . Each structure is designed as a cube measuring 30 meters in all dimensions, ensuring visual parity between the three faiths. This architectural decision eliminates hierarchy, emphasizing the UAE’s policy of religious pluralism and mutual respect. The Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue is the first purpose-built Jewish house of worship in the United Arab Emirates. Its presence, alongside a mosque and a church, provides a centralized hub for the country’s growing diverse religious populations and international visitors. Beyond the three houses of worship, the complex includes a fourth space—a secular forum…