In a domain often characterised by religious differences, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) stands out as a symbol of coexistence. This is most evident in the Abrahamic Family House (AFH) situated on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi significant project that features a mosque, church, and synagogue constructed alongside one another.
Inaugurated for public access in March 2023, the AFH signifies a significant architectural and diplomatic advancement toward interfaith dialogue in the Middle East. The AFH results from the historic visit of Pope Francis to the UAE in February 2019, during which he and Ahmed El-Tayeb, Grand Imam of al-Azhar, signed the Document on Human Fraternity, the first occasion a pontiff travelled to the Arabian Peninsula.
Architectural Symbolism of Unity
Designed by highly regarded British-Ghanaian architect Sir David Adjaye, the AFH complex intends to symbolise harmony through architecture. All three houses of worship- Imam El-Tayeb Mosque, St. Francis Church, and Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue- represent their own religious and cultural identity while all being positioned above the same stone foundation.
This foundation symbolises that the three Abrahamic religions, each individually unique, nonetheless rest upon the same human and ethical foundation- an important acceptance that aligns with the UAE’s national value of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Importance of the Abrahamic Family House
For the United Arab Emirates, a state marked by over 90% of its residents being non-Emirati and religious diversity having a long-term, lived experience, the AFH is more than an icon—it’s a model of society. As of 2020, approximately 74.5% of residents identified as Muslim, 12.9% as Christian, 6.2% as Hindu, and 3.2% as Buddhist.
By establishing a physical space with faiths brought together, the UAE reiterates that Islamic identity and pluralism can exist in one sphere of respect and dialogue.
The Islamic Perspective: Central, but Open
The Imam El-Tayeb Mosque is a central element, named for one of the Muslim world’s prominent scholars. As both an architecture of patterned mashrabiya screens and a reflective space, it serves as a marker for tradition and the contemporary.
For Muslims, the mosque’s presence within the AFH complex signals that Islam is still central to Emirati society—but stays open to dialogue. This evokes a deeper message: an Islamic country can advocate for religious inclusion without sacrificing its faith.
Jewish Perspective: A New Chapter in the Gulf
The Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue is the UAE’s first synagogue built for public access, named for the famed Jewish philosopher Maimonides. The design of the synagogue is welcoming and open, owing to the bronze lattice that filters natural light into the sanctuary. This allowance is a monumental step in Jewish visibility in the Gulf. The UAE is now home to worship and programs of cultural education and interfaith work for the Jewish community — unimaginable in the region before. The new mosque signifies that Judaism is not only present but has been welcomed into the life of the UAE in an open, visible, and likely secure way.
Christian Perspective: Equal Standing in Worship
The St. Francis Church, dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi, rounds out the trio of worship spaces. The polished stone and natural light work together to create an astounding worship space. The church is programmatic and educational in addition to serving as a worship space.
For Christians in the UAE, the church is a place of worship and a symbol of equality. Christianity is not on the fringe, but sits alongside Islam and Judaism, realising the spirit of common faith entrenched in the AFH.
Global and Regional Leadership
The Abrahamic Family House is as much a diplomatic statement as it is a spiritual one. Multiple world and religious leaders have played pivotal roles in its creation and recognition:
| Leader | Role and Contribution |
| Pope Francis | Co-signed the Document on Human Fraternity (2019); inspired project; hosted AFH delegation in Vatican (2024). |
| Grand Imam Ahmed El-Tayeb | Co-signer of 2019 document; mosque named in his honour; symbolises Islamic endorsement of dialogue. |
| Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan | UAE President allocated land and inaugurated AFH in February 2023; declared 2019 as “Year of Tolerance.” |
| Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan | UAE Foreign Minister announced AFH in 2019; helped sign the Abraham Accords (2020). |
| Donald Trump | U.S. President (2025); first American president to visit AFH; praised The AE’s “unity and faith.” |
| Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis | Delivered the 2023 inaugural address, calling AFH “historic.” |
| Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot | Declared AFH “a beacon of understanding” during the opening ceremony. |
| Rabbi Yehuda Sarna | Leads synagogue; underscores the organic growth of the UAE’s Jewish community. |
| Imam Mahmoud Nagah | Clarified AFH’s aim is coexistence, not religious fusion. |
A Model for the Modern World
The Abrahamic Family House, visited by diplomats, scholars, and religious leaders, has emerged as a universal emblem of coexistence. Its purpose demonstrates that dialogue can be lived, not just theorised.
While divisions grow in other parts of the world, the UAE initiative simply offers a counternarrative — that faith can unite, and not divide. It embodies the spirit of the UAE, grounded in Islam, yet open to a sense of humanity, as diversity becomes the basis of peace.