The Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi is a symbol for a better future, a senior figure from the multifaith centre told The National.
The interfaith complex is celebrating its first anniversary since opening to worshippers on Saadiyat Island on March 1 last year.
The centre is home to a mosque, church and synagogue, with more than 100,000 worshippers attending religious services in its first year.
The complex shows what can be achieved when people from different backgrounds come together, said the centre’s executive director.
It's a physical demonstration of tolerance
Rashid Ibrahim Rizgi
“The Abrahamic Family House gives me hope there is a better future out there,” said Abdulla Al Shehhi, acting executive director of the complex.
“On a weekly basis we see the communities from the three houses of worship coming together.
“Each evening you’ll have Muslims, Christians and Jews sitting together in the cafe after attending the separate houses of worship.
“The centre is designed to ensure people come together. They park in the same car park, enter by the same entrance, separate to go and worship and then, when they leave, they come together again.
“We have never seen any conflict or tension between them and that gives me hope for the future.”
The Abrahamic Family House was built as the physical manifestation of the Document on Human Fraternity signed by Pope Francis and Dr Ahmed Al Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, during the pontiff's visit to the Emirates in 2019.
Since officially opening its doors, there have been more than 100,000 visitors to Iman Ahmed El-Tayeb Mosque, St Francis’ Church and Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue.
Mr Al Shehhi estimated there were a similar amount of worshippers in that time as well.
He pointed out that many couples have opted to get married, as well as families choosing to get their children baptised, in the Roman Catholic Church.
A number of events have been taking place at the centre in recent weeks to mark the first anniversary.
In one project, more than 300 members of the community each made a tile, to be arranged in a mosaic in the Abrahamic Family House garden.
There have also regular performances from the children’s choir, The Little Singers of Paris.
And an exhibition titled Fraternal Visuals, which represents Arabic prayers from different faiths through calligraphy, will be open to the public until March 5.
A sense of community
The National spoke to community leaders from each of the three religions at the Abrahamic Family House, who agreed the centre plays a vital role, especially now with the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
“The house has a significant role to help bring people from different backgrounds together,” said Yahya Saeed Alnaeti, 33, a member of the Jewish community who frequently attends the synagogue.
“It helps to bring people closer who have different viewpoints, especially during turmoil in the region.
“The Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi is very important for me and the Jewish community in the UAE.
“We go to pray and attend religious lessons. It also allows us to welcome newcomers to our community,” said Mr Alnaeti, from Yemen.
A community leader from the mosque said the Abrahamic Family House served as an example of the importance of tolerance.
“It's a physical demonstration of tolerance,” said Rashid Ibrahim Rizgi, 38.
"It's important there's something like the Abrahamic Family House in the region that brings people together from different religions under one roof, [especially] considering the turmoil that's going on not far from us in other parts of the Middle East.”
The Tunisian-German also spoke about the importance of communicating with others from different backgrounds.
“It’s important to talk. We’ve seen from history that conflicts only get resolved when people communicate,” he said.
“If that doesn’t happen, then it just gets worse.”
A member of the Catholic church at the compound explained how the various interfaith activities allowed people to broaden their horizons.
“It provides an opportunity for dialogue and to build a new community of friends,” said Joao De Souza, 60, from Portugal.
“It’s a unique opportunity to bring people from the Muslim, Catholic and Jewish communities together.”
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
Juliot Vinolia’s checklist for adopting alternate-day fasting
- Don’t do it more than once in three days
- Don’t go under 700 calories on fasting days
- Ensure there is sufficient water intake, as the body can go in dehydration mode
- Ensure there is enough roughage (fibre) in the food on fasting days as well
- Do not binge on processed or fatty foods on non-fasting days
- Complement fasting with plant-based foods, fruits, vegetables, seafood. Cut out processed meats and processed carbohydrates
- Manage your sleep
- People with existing gastric or mental health issues should avoid fasting
- Do not fast for prolonged periods without supervision by a qualified expert
More on Quran memorisation:
Napoleon
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
UAE Rugby finals day
Games being played at The Sevens, Dubai
2pm, UAE Conference final
Dubai Tigers v Al Ain Amblers
4pm, UAE Premiership final
Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons
LEADERBOARD
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New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
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Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
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Director: Jon M Chu
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SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20Z%20FOLD%204
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
World record transfers
1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Dhadak
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