Abrahamic House in UAE houses a church, synagogue and mosque

By JON GAMBRELL
Associated Press

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A new complex erected on the shores of the Persian Gulf, in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, houses a Catholic church, a Jewish synagogue and an Islamic mosque. The Abrahamic Family House offers a concrete, marble and oak manifestation of the UAE’s publicized push toward tolerance after hosting Pope Francis in 2019 and later diplomatically recognizing Israel in 2020. Worshippers have already prayed and communed at the site on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island, while the general public will be allowed in next month. However, the UAE still criminalizes proselytizing outside of the Islamic faith. Security at the site, especially for Jewish worshippers, also remains a concern.