The Abrahamic faiths—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—share more than their reverence for the patriarch Abraham. They are bound by profound ethical values, shared narratives, and a commitment to peace, compassion, and justice. Despite historical tensions, from medieval crusades to modern geopolitical conflicts, these traditions have always carried a message of unity at their core. The Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi stands as a powerful testament to what becomes possible when communities choose to celebrate their common ground over division.

Why We Must Elevate Shared Roots

Deep within Judaism, Christianity, and Islam lies a shared commitment to kindness, forgiveness, and care for the vulnerable. These timeless values form a cornerstone of mutual respect and collective responsibility, fostering dialogue and empathy. In pluralistic societies, recognizing these commonalities paves the way for peaceful coexistence. In an era of rising extremism and polarization, emphasizing connection over separation offers hope and resilience. The Abrahamic Family House, inspired by the UAE’s vision of tolerance, embodies this call to unity, showing how shared values can bridge divides without erasing the unique identities of each faith.

Abu Dhabi’s Abrahamic Family House: A Beacon of Coexistence

Located in the Saadiyat Cultural District, the Abrahamic Family House, designed by Sir David Adjaye and opened in 2023, is a striking architectural representation of interfaith harmony. The complex features three cubic houses of worship—a mosque, a church, and a synagogue—each equal in size and stature, rising from a shared secular plinth that includes a visitor pavilion and a central garden. This design symbolizes the dignity of each tradition and their shared role in society’s spiritual and cultural fabric.

The Imam Al-Tayeb Mosque, named after the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, features seven soaring arches and mashrabiya screens that filter patterned light into the prayer hall, orienting toward Makkah.
The St. Francis Church, a Catholic yet ecumenical sanctuary, is open to all Christian denominations, with a facade of towering columns evoking redemption and serenity, oriented eastward to the rising sun.
The Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue, named after the famed Jewish philosopher Maimonides, is the UAE’s first public synagogue. It includes a sanctuary, study hall, and mikveh, with a facade inspired by the Jewish Sukkot festival, facing Jerusalem.

The architectural equality of these structures—each a 30x30x30-meter cube—reflects a commitment to mutual respect, with sunlight as a principal design element, illuminating each space at different times of day to symbolize shared divine presence.

Common Ground and Interfaith Dialogue

At the heart of the complex lies a shared garden and open forum, a secular space where people of all backgrounds can gather, reflect, and participate in events. Since its opening, the Abrahamic Family House has welcomed over 250,000 visitors and hosted more than 300 community events, including a 2024 youth dialogue that brought together Jewish, Christian, and Muslim students to discuss shared values, fostering lifelong connections. This space encourages collaboration not through theological debate but through shared experiences, such as interfaith workshops and cultural celebrations.Visitors encounter sacred texts and oral traditions in Arabic, Hebrew, and English, gaining deeper appreciation for each faith’s richness. For example, a Polish tourist with Jewish heritage was moved to tears at the synagogue, overwhelmed by its significance to his personal story. Such moments highlight the complex’s role as a haven for reflection and connection.

The UAE’s Vision of Tolerance

The Abrahamic Family House is a cornerstone of the UAE’s broader commitment to interfaith dialogue, rooted in the 2019 Document on Human Fraternity signed by Pope Francis and Grand Imam Ahmed Al-Tayeb. Championed by the UAE’s leadership, including HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, the project aligns with initiatives like the Ministry of Tolerance and interfaith summits, reinforcing the nation’s role as a global model for coexistence. The complex also reflects the UAE’s response to growing diversity, with the Jewish population rising from 350 to 5,000 since the 2020 Abraham Accords.

Addressing Concerns

Some may worry that interfaith efforts like the Abrahamic Family House risk diluting the distinct traditions of each faith. However, the complex’s design preserves each religion’s unique practices—separate worship spaces ensure authenticity while the shared forum fosters dialogue. As one X post notes, “A cord of three can’t easily be broken,” highlighting how unity strengthens rather than diminishes individual identities. By celebrating shared values, the Abrahamic Family House shows that coexistence amplifies each faith’s voice.

Celebrating Likenesses: A Global Imperative

The Abrahamic Family House is more than a cultural landmark; it is a moral and spiritual blueprint. Its architectural equality and shared spaces remind us that all faiths deserve respect and visibility. Visitors experience faith not in isolation but in communion, from prayer to study to celebration. The complex has inspired global admiration, with X users calling it a “testimony that peaceful and prosperous coexistence is possible.”

A Call to Action

Religious leaders, educators, and believers can foster this vision by:

Organizing joint events, like interfaith iftars or Christmas celebrations, to celebrate common values.
Promoting youth exchanges and interfaith learning, allowing younger generations to discover shared roots.
Creating shared community spaces, even on a small scale, as symbols of coexistence.

Closing Reflection

The Abrahamic Family House reminds us that faith need not divide us—it can unite us. Its message is clear: when we focus on compassion, hope, and justice, we build a more peaceful world. What could our communities achieve if we created more spaces—physical, cultural, and spiritual—where shared values bring us together? Let us take inspiration from this example, not by ignoring our traditions, but by celebrating how deeply they connect us.

Celebrating What Unites Us: The Abrahamic Faiths and the Promise of the Abrahamic Family House