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The chief rabbi has identified a goal post At the entrance of the first purpose-built synagogue in the Arab world in nearly a century.
The Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue in Abu Dhabi is part of the Abraham Family House, which was inaugurated yesterday, and also includes the Eminence Ahmed El-Tayeb Mosque and St. Francis Church, as well as a forum for learning and community engagement.
The synagogue features a main sanctuary, two mikvots, a beit midrash and the residence of a young rabbi couple who will live on site.
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Abraham Family Home. Photo credit Dror Baldinger
Three houses of worship in the Saadiyat cultural district of the United Arab Emirates capital are now welcoming visitors for prayers, while public tours and guided tours will open from March 1.
The project was inspired by the principles contained in the Human Fraternity Document, signed in Abu Dhabi in 2019 by Pope Francis His Holiness and His Holiness the Grand Imam Dr Ahmed Tayeb.
All three chapels are of the same height and size.
Designed by renowned British architect Sir David Adjaye of Adjaye Associates, they respect the architectural codes and individualism of each faith. Each takes the form of a cube, 30 meters deep, 30 meters wide and 30 meters high.
Chief Rabbi meets dignitaries in Abu Dhabi.
Sir Ephraim Mirvis, Chief Rabbi of the Commonwealth of Hebrew Church, traveled to Abu Dhabi with a small British delegation, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Marie van der Zyl. A historic ceremony.
He said: “We come together to celebrate this extraordinary monument of love – the home of the Abraham family. From today, let us use this extraordinary holy place to promote harmony and peace. In a world where differences can divide us, Let’s say here that our shared values should exist for our common aspirations.”
His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Abrahamic Family House, said the buildings “symbolize the long-held UAE values of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence – values embodied by our founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed.
Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue – Exterior. Photo credit Dror Baldinger.
“The center will be a platform for learning and dialogue, a model of coexistence in the context of our country’s multiculturalism and diversity, where more than 200 nationalities live peacefully together. We hope that the Abrahamic Family House will inspire young people everywhere, Because we emphasize our common humanity and work to create a more peaceful world for future generations.”
Professor Mohammed Al Mahrasawi, Co-Chair of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity and former President of Al-Azhar University, added: “The Abraham Family House is a true reflection of the provisions of the Human Fraternity Document, which calls for ensuring peaceful coexistence. Leaders’ vision to promote interreligious dialogue and peace among all people. The Abrahamic Family House is a model of human coexistence, reconciliation and mutual respect.”
United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed tweeted: “The UAE has a proud history of people from diverse communities working together to create new possibilities. As @AbrahamicFH With our inauguration in Abu Dhabi, we remain committed to harnessing the power of mutual respect, understanding and diversity to achieve shared progress. “
His-Holiness-Francis-Church-Exterior-shot.-Photo-credit-Dror-Baldinger
Together with Rabbi Yehuda Sarna, chief rabbi of the United Arab Emirates, said: “This is truly a journey we have taken together. When Jewish life in the UAE was still very private and confined to a When renting a villa, the idea of a purpose-built synagogue as part of a larger complex is amazing.”
Sarna recalls being on site three and a half years ago, “There was nothing but dust and there were many challenges and questions about how to make this space a synagogue accessible to Jews all over the world, and a place to meet Jews. The needs of the local Jewish community and inspire people of all faiths to walk through it, many entering a synagogue for the first time.”
Imam Al-Tayeb Mosque – Exterior. Photo credit Dror Baldinger
Sarna said he hoped the Moses ben Maimon Synagogue “will be a great meeting point for the world”, adding: “It’s actually a lighthouse. It beautifies the landscape. It’s just amazing to be in space .”
The Abrahamic Family House will offer a range of educational and faith-based programs and activities, as well as initiatives for young people, to promote knowledge exchange and interfaith collaboration.
The Gulf Jewish Community Association thanked the UAE leadership for initiating the project and their support for the development of the Jewish community in the UAE on Twitter: “We are particularly excited to see another synagogue built in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council),” they said. explain. “There is something very special about a synagogue being built in a Muslim country, and it sends a very strong message to other countries where Jews live in fear of being attacked for their faith.”
A statement said that while anti-Semitism is on the rise in parts of the world, the Family House “sends a powerful message that leadership not only keeps us safe, but encourages Our practice. In a world where people are being attacked for their religious beliefs, the UAE – and our region more broadly – is a beacon.”
Rabbi David Rosen of the American Jewish Committee, one of the world’s leading interfaith figures, told jewish news: “Three major leaders of the main Abrahamic faith – a major cardinal, a head of al-Azhar (the foremost center of religious learning in the Muslim world) and the chief rabbi of Great Britain – are blessed A conceptually inspiring synthesis of exquisite beauty, each religious tradition adores each in its own house of prayer, but is interconnected in mutual respect, knowledge and commitment to shared values, which is unique in human history unparalleled.
“The Abraham Family House has the potential to become the world’s foremost interfaith educational complex, which includes introducing and educating millions of people about the Jewish religion and the Jewish people.”
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