Abrahamic Family House Including a church, mosque and synagogue, the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi(link is external) will be a place of learning, dialogue and worship, focused on creating mutual understanding among people of all faiths and belief systems. The vision for the interfaith center emerged following the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to the UAE in February 2019, when the Pope joined with Dr. Ahmed el-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, to sign the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together. A reflection of the values highlighted in the Document, the Abrahamic House will serve as a powerful platform for inspiring and nurturing understanding and acceptance between people of goodwill. Rabbi Bruce Lustig, a member of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity(link is external) – an international body that provides counsel on the Abrahamic Family House – said(link is external) the project “will help build bridges between religious leaders and communities as well as foster peace and harmony in an era that is too often defined by difference.” The complex will be located on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi. The three main buildings will each lead to a central garden for collaboration and informal gatherings. The site will also include a museum and center for education. The mosque, church and synagogue will be the same height, but the design and interior of each religious structure will be significantly different. Renowned British architect Sir David Adjaye(link is external), who also designed the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC, won the competition to design the complex. He commented(link is external): “Built in the UAE's capital, the space will be open to the world, and our hope is that through these buildings people of all faiths and from across society can learn and engage in a mission of peaceful coexistence for generations to come.” The Abrahamic Family House is currently under construction with an anticipated completion date in 2022
