Interfaith Diplomacy In The UAE: Abrahamic Family House Centre And Anwar Gargash Discuss Peace

The Abrahamic Family House Centre, working with the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, held a panel titled "Can Interfaith Diplomacy Redefine Global Peace and Cooperation?" The discussion examined how interfaith engagement supports mutual understanding, social cohesion, and cross-border cooperation, while also presenting the UAE’s approach to tolerance and coexistence to an audience of ambassadors, diplomats, students, and academics.

The programme opened with a keynote address by Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Committee on Defence, Interior, and Foreign Affairs in the Federal National Council. Al Nuaimi warned that exploiting religion to divide societies represents one of the most serious global threats, while also stressing that religious and other leaders can instead build communication channels.

The panel, moderated by Professor Joel Hayward, Senior Research Fellow at the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy and the Abrahamic Family House, brought together Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Dhaheri, Deputy Director-General of the Academy, and Dr. Ebtesam Al-Ketbi, President and Founder of the Emirates Policy Center, to discuss interfaith diplomacy as a structured means for peaceful coexistence and trust-building among communities.

During the debate, speakers underlined that interfaith dialogue can work as a practical diplomatic instrument when tied to real policies. The conversation outlined how engaging religious leaders in early-stage conflict prevention, especially in fragile contexts, can help reduce tensions and broaden the pool of credible voices in peace processes.

Al Nuaimi said, "Experience has shown that great human values are present in all religions, and that engaging religious leaders in genuine dialogue can enhance trust, dismantle the causes of conflict, and build a future based on respect and equality among all people." This perspective framed religion as a resource for cooperation rather than division.

Al Dhaheri focused on how this approach connects with UAE state-building. Al Dhaheri said, "The UAE’s leadership in peaceful coexistence is not a promotional narrative or a temporary diplomatic instrument; rather, it is a foundational choice in the building of the state, where tolerance forms an integral part of the social fabric. This cohesive internal model is what has given the UAE global diplomatic credibility and a unique ability to communicate with all parties."

He then highlighted the practical conditions needed for long-term success. Al Dhaheri continued, "The success of interfaith dialogue diplomacy is linked to continuity and to practicing it as a daily approach that begins with education, becomes embedded in culture, and is reflected in policies—away from short-term political instrumentalisation. The Abrahamic Family House Centre is a living model of interfaith cooperation as it reflects the values of tolerance and coexistence, which constitute two fundamental pillars of the UAE."

Hayward placed this policy within a longer national trajectory, starting from the country’s founding. Hayward said, "In the UAE, interfaith dialogue has been a deeply rooted approach since the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who viewed diversity as a divine will that enables people to know one another and stand together. Under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE reaffirmed its commitment to guaranteeing the rights of all who live in the country, regardless of their religion, ensuring their freedom of expression and sense of belonging to the nation in a safe and respectful environment."

Hayward also addressed how these principles shape the UAE’s external image. He continued, "Today, the UAE stands at the forefront of global interfaith dialogue—not as a slogan, but as a public policy and a way of life. This was powerfully exemplified in the historic meeting between His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, and His Holiness the late Pope Francis, Former Head of the Catholic Church—a landmark moment that could not have taken place anywhere else."

Interfaith diplomacy, global peace and cooperation as conflict prevention

Expanding on the theme of prevention, Al-Ketbi underlined the importance of trusted religious actors in volatile settings. Al-Ketbi said, "Interfaith engagement works as a preventive tool for reducing conflicts by expanding the circle of trusted actors, especially in fragile environments, where religious leaders possess social legitimacy and a real ability to calm tensions and confront and expose rumors."

The panel also drew attention to concrete examples within the UAE, describing the Abrahamic Family House Centre as a working example of social integration and tolerance. Participants stressed shared human values as a platform for stability, and argued that structured dialogue must lead to measurable and sustainable outcomes supporting peace, development, and community resilience.

Hayward noted that the UAE hosts mosques, churches, and temples where people worship in safety and dignity. These diverse places of worship were described as evidence of "a rare model of genuine religious coexistence," with the Abrahamic Family House Centre presented as a clear illustration of this multi-faith environment operating in practice.

Throughout the event, ambassadors from several countries, diplomats, and representatives from the Academy’s faculty and student body took part in the discussion. Their strong engagement, questions, and comments indicated broad domestic and international interest in the UAE’s experience with peaceful coexistence, interfaith diplomacy, and its wider relevance for global peace and cooperation.

The Abrahamic Family House Centre stated its ongoing commitment to convening similar dialogues that reflect its mission of strengthening understanding between religions and cultures. The Centre aims to keep building channels of communication across communities and to translate conversations into concrete initiatives and programmes that support coexistence, social cohesion, and collaborative action.

With inputs from WAM