Rabbi Bruce Lustig, a senior rabbi at Washington Hebrew Congregation, proclaims that a new project in Abu Dhabi “will help build bridges between religious leaders and communities as well as foster peace and harmony in an era that is too often defined by difference.”
The rabbi is referring to plans for a new interfaith complex that will house a mosque, a church and a synagogue. The Abrahamic Family House will serve two purposes: as a place for individual worship, and also for inter-religious dialogue and exchange. The Higher Committee for Human Fraternity are the commissioners of the interfaith religious complex.
The initiative was born out of Pope Francis’ visit to the UAE last year during which a ‘declaration promoting human fraternity’ was signed by the Pope and the Grand Imam of al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb.
CNN reports that the complex will be located on Saadiyat Island, near the Louvre Abu Dhabi, and will be designed by award-winning architect David Adjaye. The design incorporates worship spaces for each religion as well as a shared space for collaboration and informal gathering. “Our hope is that through these buildings people of all faiths and from across society can learn and engage in a mission of peaceful coexistence for generations to come,” comments the acclaimed architect.
