By Guendalina Dainelli
ABU DHABI, 21st March, 2023 (WAM) — Encompassing three separate houses of worship – a mosque, a church, and the UAE's first ever purpose-built synagogue – the Abrahamic Family House began welcoming visitors from 1st March 2023.
In the first two weeks, the religious complex received more than 10,000 people, including visitors and worshippers, said Musab Mohamed Ibrahim, visitor experience supervisor, during an exclusive media tour arranged for the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
Located in the Saadiyat Cultural District in Abu Dhabi, rooted in the UAE’s values of bringing people and cultures together, the site has already become an attractive destination for people from various cultural and religious backgrounds.
Weekly religious rituals
Priests of respective religions have been appointed for each house of worship where weekly religious rituals and prayers take place.
The Friday prayer for Muslims is held at the Eminence Ahmed El-Tayeb Mosque. The Saturday Shabbat service takes place in The Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue and a Mass is conducted in English every Sunday at 12 noon at His Holiness Francis Church in the Abrahamic House.
Each building has the capacity for around 300 worshippers. Sign boards around the site are in Arabic, English and Hebrew.
Among the first media outlet that visited the site, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) interacted with worshippers, visitors, and employees.
“The Abrahamic Family House embodies the diversity of Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE,” said Ibrahim, the supervisor.
“I must make sure every day that the whole premises are welcoming to all kinds of visitors, regardless of their faith. We always recommend visitors and worshippers to read our regulations. We want everyone who visits the Abrahamic house to feel comfortable, welcomed, and respected.”
The website mentions that worshippers are not required to book tickets, but visitors are recommended to register before entering the site.
“For safety reasons we have capacity limitations” he added.
Centre of interfaith dialogue
The centre is also a first-of-its-kind site for learning and interfaith dialogue. The complex can welcome up to 60 students a day, from 9 to 11am, a dedicated slot for educational institutes.
A free guided tour is offered to visitors in English or Arabic. The centre has employed secret shoppers who take part in guided tours and give their honest feedback that helps improve the services and visitors' experience.
The guides are well-trained, added Ibrahim. “From the beginning we were hiring guides licensed by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. We selected people, depending on their personality, attitude, and public speaking skills.”
The large reception area includes a small cafeteria, a library corner, and a souvenir shop. Everything is pure, elegant, and sober.
At the back of the area, there is the Wall of Commitments, where visitors are invited to write down their wishes and intentions. The triangular plates are covered with messages of love and peace in different languages.
A few metres away, the signatures of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai; His Holiness Pope Francis; and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al Azher, Dr. Ahmed Al Tayeb, are framed on a marble surface. This is the foundation stone of the complex.
Serene environment
Despite the presence of a good number of people, the environment is serene thanks to a special sound-absorbing system that covers the walls.
All objects sold at the shop carries a message, such as a candlestick inspired by the three religions and the kippahs (the cap traditionally worn by Jewish males) displayed on the stand. They have been hand crocheted by Muslim women in Abu Dhabi.
“The soul of the visitor is deeply touched by the place,” said Nicola Cosmo, retail manager of the souvenir shop.
“I have seen people literally burst into tears. I cannot forget a Polish gentleman, the bus driver of a group of tourists. He sat here next to me, he cried trembling, he told me that his family has Jewish origins, he was overwhelmed by the emotion of being in a place so meaningful for his personal story.”
Maria, who identified herself with her first name only, is a Russian tourist for the second time in the UAE. “I appreciate the modernity of the architecture; the style is particularly attractive for young generations. I am engaged in the social media, I am going to snap many pictures today, the place is so beautiful. I will use my pictures in my stories. The strong message of peace this place embodies is so important nowadays.”
Pure and minimal architecture
Corinne S., a French lady resident in Abu Dhabi, said, “It is magnificent, something never seen before. I was curious to discover what is hiding beyond the columns and what I saw is surprising. You might find the austere architecture from outside but once you step inside you realise everything is so peaceful and warm. You feel embraced.”
Serena C., Italian citizen living in Abu Dhabi, said when she walked around the square, she truly felt she was witnessing everyone fulfilling the dream of peaceful co-existence.
“Straight lines, quite minimalist, but at the same time grand and majestic. Quietness and stillness only interrupted by birds’ chirping and the sound of the wind.
I found the absence of colour in the architecture calming and reassuring. And it made me notice and appreciate even more the green of the trees, and the blue of the water,” she said.
Sat down in the first rows of the church, we met Alejandro M., a young engineer from Rosario in Argentina. He works in Abu Dhabi in the oil and gas field.
“At home we are devoted to Pope Francis. He is from my country; he is somehow part of the family. It is my first time here. I wanted to start my tour praying for my father who is not well,” he said.
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