The Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi opened four days ago. I have followed the story of this addition to the city’s cultural heritage district. The premise is simple, recognition of the three faith systems born from Abraham’s children. It is easy to assume one understands the results that are now on display. If one reads the reviews, from all sides, I am not the only one with a view, well-formed conclusion, and uninformed bias.
For the first month, there are free tours with an English or Arabic guide. Mariam, a young Emirati woman, was our small group’s guide and source of information. In preparation for our tour, as I came into the facility, guided to a parking spot by a uniformed security guard, I found myself thinking through my assumptions and biases. My aspiration was to openly experience the House and whatever it offered to visitors and worshipers.
Whatever my assumptions were, the overwhelming experience in walking into the centre was peace and harmony. Candidly, it floored me. From the horizontal water feature with Arabic, Hebrew, and English words reflecting the way water is shared across each faith system, everything invited me into a personal experience and journey. I found myself in a state of openness, curious, wondering how Divinity is revealing itself through the eyes of children who seek.
I know there are skeptics and doubters. As much as I respect their views, I also remember Paul’s caution centuries ago. “Please don’t misinterpret my failure to visit you, friends. You have no idea how many times I’ve made plans for Rome. I’ve been determined to get some personal enjoyment out of God’s work among you, as I have in so many other non-Jewish towns and communities. But something has always come up and prevented it.” (Romans 1.13)
The first of many lessons from my first visit is simple. In letting go of my fears, uncertainties, and doubts, I found myself embraced by peace. The power of the experience opened far more than I imagined. As I let peace dominate, love and possibilities revealed themselves.
