In Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island, a bold architectural and social experiment is taking shape: the Abrahamic Family House, a single complex that houses a mosque, a church, and a synagogue, built side by side to foster interfaith dialogue and unity. The project draws directly on the Document on Human Fraternity signed by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in 2019, aiming to transform the ideal of religious tolerance into tangible space.
Designed by renowned architect David Adjaye, each worship structure is housed in its own concrete cube of identical dimensions, yet each cube features design elements unique to its faith tradition. The mosque, named Imam Al-Tayeb Mosque, features geometric latticework and architectural references aligned with Islamic tradition. The Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue, the first publicly built synagogue in the UAE, incorporates symbolic structural elements inspired by traditional Jewish motifs. Meanwhile, St. Francis Church, open to all Christian denominations, completes the triad.
All photos courtesy: Adjaye Associates
When it officially opened in February 2023, the Abrahamic Family House was hailed as a milestone in promoting religious pluralism in a region often marked by religious tension. It has already been used as a place for prayers, cultural events, and interfaith gatherings, reflecting the UAE’s desire to project an image of modern tolerance on its global stage.
Still, the project is not without challenges. Critics caution that while architecture can shape symbols, genuine interreligious harmony requires deeper social reforms and protections—especially given the UAE’s legal constraints on conversion from Islam or proselytization. Despite these tensions, the Abrahamic Family House stands as a physical assertion that coexistence and mutual respect among faiths can be manifested through space and shared commitment.
