US Secretary Blinken visits Abu Dhabi's Abrahamic Family House

Official visited the multi-faith centre and left a message reading 'light in the darkness'

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken writes ‘Light in the darkness’ on a tile at the Abrahamic Family House, containing a mosque, synagogue and church, in Abu Dhabi. AP

Mr Blinken places a note on the wall as he begins a tour of six Arab capitals to build pressure on Hamas, while Israel prepares for a massive ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. AFP

Mr Blinken at the Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue at the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi. AFP

Mr Blinken is greeted on arrival at the multifaith complex. AFP

The Secretary of State tours Imam Al Tayeb Mosque. AP

Mr Blinken is shown round St Francis Church at the complex in Abu Dhabi. AFP

Mr Blinken looks round the synagogue at the Abrahamic Family House. Reuters

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs, bids farewell to Mr Blinken. AFP

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has visited one of Abu Dhabi's most popular sites of religious tolerance.

Sharing photos on social media of his visit, Secretary Blinken visited the Abramic Family House with a message about the Emirates' attitude towards coexistence.

"Visited the newly opened Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi, an exemplary model for active exchange between faiths and a true testament to the UAE’s commitment to peaceful coexistence among the Abrahamic faiths," said the senior American official.

"This is what the future of the region should look like."

Among the photos was an image of Secretary Blinken's message, written on a tile in the multi-faith centre's forum, which read 'light in the darkness'.

The interfaith complex on Saadiyat Island opened this year and is home to a mosque, church and synagogue.

Also on Saturday, President Sheikh Mohamed and Secretary Blinken held talks as Israel prepared to launch a major offensive in Gaza.

He had arrived in Abu Dhabi on Saturday evening, only hours before Israel's military said a "land, air and sea operation" in the coastal strip was planned.

Secretary Blinken arrived from Riyadh where he met Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan. He and Prince Faisal urged Israel and Hamas to protect civilians.

About 2,200 Palestinians have died in Gaza following retaliatory aerial bombardment from Israel. It came after Hamas launched an unprecedented surprise attack against Israel last Saturday, killing 1,300.

Most of the dead on both sides are civilians.