UAE Interfaith Complex to House Synagogue, Mosque, Church

  Construction on the Abrahamic Family House, a complex in Abu Dhabi slated to house a synagogue, a mosque and a church, is 20 percent complete, Emirati officials. The three-building complex is designed by architect David Adjaye, and “captures the values shared between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam” as well as “innovatively recounts the history and builds bridges between human civilizations and heavenly messages,” according to the Abu Dhabi Government Media Office. The announcement of the Abrahamic Family House was made during the UAE’s self-proclaimed “Year of Tolerance,” during a meeting between Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar. The Abrahamic Family House epitomizes interfaith harmonious coexistence and preserves the unique character of each religion,” said Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism-Abu Dhabi and a member of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity. “The naming of the three houses of worship recognizes the work of His Eminence Grand Imam Al Tayeb, His Holiness Pope Francis, and Moses Ben Maimon, and harnesses their teachings to forge a message of goodwill for future generations around the world,” Mubarak said. The government also announced that the synagogue at the site will be named the “Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue” after the 12th century philosopher and rabbinical scholar Maimonides. The mosque will be named “Imam Al-Tayeb Mosque,” and the church “St. Francis Church.”