Abu Dhabi has officially launched the Abrahamic Family House, a new centre for learning featuring a mosque, a church and a synagogue, within the Saadiyat Cultural District.
The new cultural landmark has been designed by Sir David Adjaye, an award-winning Ghanaian-British architect, and epitomises the values of harmonious coexistence and understanding shared between the Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, through three main buildings – a mosque, a church, and a synagogue all on one site.
The design is characterised by an iconic geometric architecture of three cubes – each 30 m deep, 30 m wide and 30 m tall - that evoke the features of traditional architecture and preserve its uniqueness, stated the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity (HCHF), which had supervised the entire project.
The structures will represent the unified commonality and mutual coexistence between the three religions while retaining the individualism of each of the three faiths.
The names of three iconic houses of worship have been officially unveiled as Imam Al Tayeb Mosque, St Francis Church, and Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue.
The three houses of worship are of equal stature and share external dimensions to respect the architectural codes and individualism of each faith, stated HCHF. Each takes the form of a cube that is 30 m deep, 30 m wide, and 30 m tall.
Each aspect of the design is brought to life through the architectural features and unique constructional details of the facades, the external and internal views, the columns, and the windows and vaults that reflect the unique characteristics of each of the three Abrahamic faiths, it stated.
Encompassing three separate houses of worship as well as shared spaces for gathering and dialogue, it will welcome visitors starting from March 1.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, President of the Abrahamic Family House, said: "It is symbolic of the UAE’s longstanding values of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence – values embodied by our Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed. The centre will be a platform for learning and dialogue, a model of coexistence set against the backdrop of the multiculturalism and diversity of our nation, where more than 200 nationalities live peacefully side-by-side."
"We hope that the Abrahamic Family House will inspire youth everywhere, as we highlight our common humanity and work towards the creation of a more peaceful world for generations to come," he noted.
The complex’s central forum functions as a visitor experience centre, where an immersive exhibition will introduce visitors to the Abrahamic Family House and invite reflection on the three faiths.
The space will host discussions, forums, and conferences that promote understanding, dialogue and peaceful coexistence. The shared garden is another space for gathering, learning and conversation for members of diverse faith communities and visitors of all beliefs, it added.-TradeArabia News Service
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