Abrahamic Family House, an interfaith complex

Written By Nazhath Faheema

A synagogue, church and mosque in the same compound, built in the same size and dimensions, each uniquely presenting its religious traditions. In the middle of these is a garden that creates a peaceful space.

I visited the Abrahamic Family House, which opened on the 16th of February, 2023. Located at Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, this multi-faith complex brings Jews, Muslims and Christians together through faith.

The team gave me a private tour of Imam AlTayeb Mosque, St. Francis Church, and Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue in the House. Leena and Eilaf shared about the architecture and significance of the different parts of the place of worship and also explained the religious practices within Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

As someone from Singapore familiar with harmonious streets where different places of worship exist, this was not new. However, the purpose behind the Abrahamic Family House is more than just tolerance and coexistence. It shows a mere possibility for peace that the people before us yearned for but the generations after lost. This may be the baby step towards something more for interfaith bonds.

I had the blessed opportunity to pray Jummah there and learn more about the educational programs coming soon.

Thank you to Brother Musab for hosting me. I appreciate the special care taken for me to have this interfaith experience.

Special thanks to Rabbi David Rosen for making this visit possible. I always appreciate your support for my interfaith understanding and respect.

Visit https://www.abrahamicfamilyhouse.ae to know more. The House opens for the general public on 1 March 2023.

Nazhath Faheema

Nazhath Faheema, a Singaporean Muslim of Indian descent, actively promotes interfaith dialogue. She holds a full-time position at an NGO where she focuses on organizing interfaith charity events. Additionally, she plays an active role in community development, particularly in developing youth leadership to foster social harmony.

Furthermore, Nazhath serves as an external lecturer at ESSEC Asia Pacific in Singapore. She teaches students from Europe and Asia regions on "Race & Religion in Singapore" and "Islam in Singapore."

Nazhath earned her Master of Science in Asian Studies from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. She also holds a certificate in the Comparative Study of Religions in Plural Societies. Her research interests span various areas, including youth interfaith movements in Southeast Asia, Jewish-Muslim relations, interactions between Muslim-majority states and Israel, and interreligious dialogue in diplomacy.

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