Leading global architect Sir David Adjaye, the founder and principal of Adjaye Associates, has launched the design of the Abrahamic Family House, which will come up on Saadiyat Island in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi.

The design was unveiled at a key meeting of Higher Committee of Human Fraternity held at the New York Public Library recently.

A reflection of the Document on Human Fraternity, a church, mosque and synagogue will share a collective space for the first time, serving as a community for inter-religious dialogue and exchange, and nurturing the values of peaceful co-existence and acceptance among different beliefs, nationalities and cultures.

The New York gathering comes close on the heels of the Higher Committee’s inaugural meeting at the Vatican earlier this month.

It marks the start of a bold and collaborative journey to explore how people of goodwill across all faiths can create mutual understanding and global peace.  

The new body is empowered to provide guidance and counsel on realising the goals of the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together signed by Pope Francis of the Catholic Church and the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed Al Tayeb, in Abu Dhabi, during the Papal visit in February this year.

On the historic initiative, Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and Higher Committee member, said: "This endeavour is a profoundly moving moment for humanity."

"Although sadly evil, hatred, and division often make news, there is a hidden sea of goodness that is growing and leads us to hope in dialogue, reciprocal knowledge and the possibility of building – together with the followers of other religions and all men and women of good will – a world of fraternity and peace. I would like to thank the UAE for the concrete commitment shown on behalf of human fraternity," he stated.

Commenting on the occasion, Judge Mohamed Mahmoud Abdel Salam, Higher Committee member, said: "The formation of the committee has come at an important time and has required all peace lovers to unite and join the efforts to spread coexistence, brotherhood, and tolerance throughout the world. I am moved by this energy and determination to spread the principles of the Document on Human Fraternity to achieve security, coexistence, and peace for everyone."

Rabbi M Bruce Lustig, the senior Rabbi at Washington Hebrew Congregation and a Higher Committee member, said: "This is an important opportunity for all who believe in the power of faith and humanity. It will help build bridges between religious leaders and communities as well as foster peace and harmony in an era that is too often defined by difference."

"I am honoured to be part of such an esteemed group working to champion love over hate, justice over injustice, and faith over fear," he noted.

Expressing delight at its design being selected for the project, Adjaye said: "I believe architecture should work to enshrine the kind of world we want to live in, a world of tolerance, openness, and constant advancement."

"Architecture and landscape design can interpret the fabric and principles of a place, to advance the conversation, reassess current assumptions about the world, and discover more meaningfully what a place can give back," noted the top official.

The contemporary design was chosen after a rigorous process that included architects of diverse backgrounds and faiths from around the globe.

Adjaye’s design is particularly striking, incorporating separate worship spaces for each religion as well as a shared space for collaboration and informal gathering. As a modern design concept it also reflects the goal of creating an enduring space for future generations.

"As an architect, I want to create a building that starts to dissolve the notion of hierarchical difference – it should represent universality and totality – something higher that enhances the richness of human life," he added.-TradeArabia News Service