The AFH is rooted in the UAE’s values of peaceful coexistence, diversity, and dialogue, and embodies the country’s longstanding history of bringing people and cultures together.

From the earliest centuries of Islam, our region welcomed people of different ethnicities and religions from across the globe, driven at first by the expansion of trade and commerce.

In the seventh and eighth centuries CE, the islands of Sir Bani Yas in Abu Dhabi and Siniya in Umm al Quwain were at the centre of exchanges that connected the Arabian Gulf to the broader world. As a result, a small group of Christians established monasteries and churches on these islands.

There is also evidence of an ancient Jewish community here, illustrated by the discovery of a large gravestone written in Hebrew, marking the resting place of ‘David, son of Moses’. We do not know how large this community was, but we do know that they felt comfortable erecting such a prominent monument, written in the language of their faith.

The mission of the Abrahamic Family House builds on that historical legacy and is inspired by concepts laid out in The Document on Human Fraternity signed by His Holiness Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al Azhar His Eminence Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb in 2019, and particularly the belief that open dialogue, understanding, and acceptance are paramount to addressing the many challenges humanity faces today.