“The Abrahamic Family House will be a beacon of mutual understanding, harmonious coexistence and peace among people of faith and goodwill.”. With these words, the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity (HCHF), promoters of the project, define the spirit that drives the construction of this unique space of coexistence and exchange between Islam, Christianity and Judaism.
The Abrahamic Family House is the name given to the complex being built on Saadiyat Island, the cultural center of Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), which includes a mosque, a church and a synagogue in the same square. These three temples represent the three religions that consider Abraham as father or prophet.
The project, whose design has been entrusted to the prestigious British-Ghanaian architect’s studio Sir David AdjayeThe project, which seeks to capture the shared values between Islam, Christianity and Judaism to create a space for learning, dialogue and faithThe United Arab Emirates’ commitment to tolerance and hospitality.
The goal is for this project to be completed by 2022. Sir David Adjaye’s studio has created a space formed by a central square, around which are distributed the three temples, which are cubic in shape but each one has its own distinctive features.
A cultural center will be located next to this complex, whose objective will be to promote fraternity and solidarity in a community that appreciates the values of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence, respecting the unique character of each faith.
The House of the Abrahamic Family is endorsed by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Pope Francis, and is inspired by the
A Document on Human Fraternity, for World Peace and Common Coexistence
The Abrahamic Family House, which was signed by both religious leaders in 2019.
The design of the project was presented that same year by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nachyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates, during the second meeting of the Higher Committee of the Human Fraternity, which was held in New York.
As Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and a member of the Committee, noted at the time, “the Abrahamic Family House will embody the harmonious coexistence between religions and preserve the unique character of each of them. It will also embody Abu Dhabi’s vision of fostering human brotherhood and integrate coexistence into the already diverse cultural fabric of the UAE.”.
This spectacular video produced by Sir David Adjaye’s studio shows what the project will look like once it is completed.
