Explore the Abrahamic Family House
Experience the harmonious coexistence of diverse beliefs
In the Saadiyat Cultural District of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, there is an astonishing interreligious complex - The Abrahamic Family House.
It officially opened in 2023 and was designed by Ghanaian British architect Ajaye. It integrates a synagogue, a Christian church and an Islamic mosque, becoming a new cultural landmark of Abu Dhabi and demonstrating to the world the possibility of mutual respect, inclusiveness and peaceful coexistence among different faiths.
Please allow us to take you on a deep dive into the three churches of Abrahamic Family House.
The Christian church in the House of Abraham is named St. Francis Church, in memory of St. Francis Assisi, the friar who founded the Franciscan order in the 13th century. The overall design of the church is ingenious. The building faces the rising sun in the east, symbolizing Christianity's pursuit of light and hope.
As far as the eye can see, the ceiling of the church is made of wood. Its unique wooden structure reminds one of Noah's Ark, symbolizing that the Christian church is like an ark, providing a spiritual refuge for believers and carrying their belief in seeking redemption and peace in the complex world.
Moses bin Maimon Synagogue
The synagogue is named after Moses bin Maimon, in memory of the 12th-century Jewish philosopher Rabbi Maimonides. He is one of the most influential scholars in the history of Judaism, and his thoughts and works have had a profound impact on the development of Judaism.
This synagogue is the first officially built Jewish worship center in the United Arab Emirates and holds significant importance for the local Jewish community.
In terms of architectural design, the synagogue showcases a strong Jewish cultural flavor.
It faces Jerusalem, embodying the Jews' yearning and reverence for the holy Land. The inspiration for the building comes from the Feast of Tabernacles, a festival that symbolizes the Jews' unwavering faith and yearning for freedom during their exile.
The ceiling of the church is perforated. At noon, sunlight streams through these holes and spills into the interior, as if it were a kiss from God, symbolizing that the sacred light has illuminated the spiritual world of the Jewish people.
The Islamic Mosque is named after Taib, the Sunni authority and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in Egypt, reflecting the significant position of Islam in the home of Abraham.
The mosque faces Mecca, a sacred place where Muslims perform their prayers, which reflects the Muslims' piety and respect for the center of their faith.
The design of the mosque fully integrates the characteristics of Islamic architecture. Its Windows are made of mashrabiya, and this unique window lattice design not only ensures good ventilation inside but also effectively regulates the light, creating a soft and mysterious light and shadow effect.
When sunlight filters through the lattice Windows and falls on the floor and walls of the mosque, it forms unique patterns of light and shadow, giving people a sense of tranquility and sanctity.
As a new religious and cultural landmark of Abu Dhabi, the Abrahamic Family House closely connects the three major Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam through ingenious design and rich cultural connotations.
Here, people of different beliefs can communicate with each other, respect each other, understand each other, and jointly explore the spiritual world of humanity and common values. It not only provides a venue for believers to carry out religious activities, but also sets a model of harmonious coexistence among religions for the world, presenting to people a beautiful vision of peace, inclusiveness and the coexistence of diversity!
Tourist Tips
Tour itinerary
Visitors can enter the House of the Abraham Family for free, but advance booking is required.
The museum is closed on Mondays. It is open for visits from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Tuesday to Sunday, with a visiting time of approximately one hour.
Dress Code
When entering the mosque, female visitors aged 13 and above must wear headscarves and relatively conservative clothing, while male visitors aged 13 and above must wear clothes or trousers that cover their knees and shoulders.
