Abraham Accords: A Leap Forward, But Not a Comprehensive Peace
The Abraham Accords, brokered in 2020, represent a significant realignment of relations in the Middle East. Initiated under the Trump administration, they saw Israel normalise relations with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan, in exchange for commitments related to arms sales (UAE, Morocco) and the removal of Sudan from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism. While not resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Accords marked a departure from decades of Arab consensus opposing normalisation without a resolution to that long-standing issue. Today, the Accords continue to foster increased economic co-operation, tourism, and security collaboration between the signatories, but their expansion remains fraught with obstacles, and the long-term impact remains uncertain. This report focuses on the often-overlooked role of religion and interfaith dialogue in sustaining and potentially broadening these relationships.
Progress Made: Building Bridges Through Shared Faith
While much of the initial attention surrounding the Abraham Accords focused on strategic and economic considerations, a significant, and often quieter, component has revolved around religious cooperation and interfaith dialogue. This stems from the fact that all involved nations have substantial religious populations, and common Abrahamic roots – Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Following the normalisation agreements, a wave of interfaith initiatives took shape, spearheaded by government officials, religious leaders and civil society organisations.
The UAE, in particular, has been a key driver of this trend, hosting several high-profile interfaith gatherings, including the Abrahamic Faiths for Peace conference. These events haven’t been symbolic gestures alone; they have facilitated concrete projects promoting mutual understanding. For instance, the establishment of the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi – a complex containing a synagogue, mosque, and church – embodies a commitment to interfaith coexistence. Similar, smaller initiatives have emerged in Bahrain and Morocco.
Beyond formal events, a marked increase in religious tourism has occurred, facilitated by eased visa and travel restrictions. Jewish visitors to the UAE and Bahrain have been able to openly practice their faith, something previously unthinkable. Similarly, Muslim individuals have found greater opportunities to explore Jewish heritage sites within Israel. Academics and religious scholars have also benefited from increased exchange programmes and collaborative research opportunities. The focus isn’t necessarily on theological consensus, but rather on building respect, finding common ground in shared values like compassion and justice, and fostering personal connections which can mitigate broader political tensions.
Crucially, these dialogues aren’t solely top-down initiatives. Grassroots efforts, involving young people and community leaders, have demonstrated a genuine desire for engagement, and are working to overcome historical prejudices and misconceptions. These emerging relationships are proving surprisingly resilient, even amid fluctuations in the wider geopolitical climate.
Challenges: Navigating Sensitivity and Sustaining Momentum
Despite the promising progress, numerous challenges threaten to impede the momentum of religious initiatives linked to the Abraham Accords. A primary obstacle is the very sensitivity of religious issues in the region. Discussions on faith can quickly become politicised, particularly when tied to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Criticism of Israel is still widespread in many Arab countries, and any perceived endorsement of Israeli policies by religious authorities can lead to backlash and accusations of normalisation that pre-empt a broader Palestinian settlement.
Another challenge is the uneven distribution of interfaith activity. The UAE and Bahrain have actively promoted these initiatives, but engagement in Morocco and especially Sudan has been comparatively slower. Sudan’s political instability following the October 2021 coup significantly hampered any momentum toward religious normalisation. Furthermore, the involvement of politically influential religious figures is not always guaranteed, and the potential for extremist groups to exploit interfaith dialogue for their own purposes remains a concern.
Sustaining momentum beyond the initial phase of enthusiasm is also difficult. Funding for interfaith projects is often dependent on government support, which can be subject to shifting priorities. Ensuring that initiatives are genuinely inclusive and representative – and not dominated by elites – is another key concern. Simply hosting events is insufficient; genuine, long-term engagement and the addressing of underlying societal prejudices require sustained effort and a willingness to confront difficult conversations.
Finally, the differing interpretations of religious texts and the historical narratives prevalent in each country represent a significant hurdle. Bridging these divides requires considerable nuance, sensitivity, and a commitment to respectful dialogue, acknowledging the legitimacy of diverse perspectives.
Israel-Iran Dimension: A Complicating Factor
The escalating tensions between Israel and Iran significantly shadow the Abraham Accords and its religious dimension. Iran views the Accords as a betrayal by its Arab neighbours and a dangerous escalation of Israeli influence in the region. From Tehran’s perspective, interfaith dialogue promoted within the Accords framework can be framed as a legitimisation of Israel’s actions and a distraction from the Palestinian plight.
The Iranian regime actively promotes a narrative portraying Israel as an illegitimate entity and a threat to Islam, actively working to undermine any initiatives fostering religious cooperation. Through its network of proxies and affiliated media outlets, Iran seeks to demonize the Accords and discredit its signatories. Any religious figures involved in the dialogue, particularly those from Shia or Sunni backgrounds, may face accusations of collaboration with the enemy.
However, there are also nuanced aspects to this dynamic. Religious minorities within Iran – Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians – often express cautious support for dialogue that promotes religious tolerance and coexistence. The Iranian government’s rhetoric often distinguishes between the Israeli state and Jewish people, and certain factions within the regime may recognise the potential benefits of interfaith engagement in managing regional tensions, even if publicly they maintain a hard line. This internal dynamic provides a small, but potentially important opening for future engagement, although any such attempts would require extreme discretion and careful negotiation.
The broader rivalry adds a layer of complexity as it reinforces security concerns within the Gulf, pushing some states towards closer security ties with Israel, which, while bolstering the Accords, also amplifies Iranian distrust.
Path Forward: Realistic Expectations and Sustained Investment
The path forward for religiously driven elements of the Abraham Accords requires a combination of pragmatism, sustainability and a broadening of scope. Focusing on practical cooperation and tangible outcomes—such as joint research on preserving shared heritage sites, collaborative educational initiatives, and continued development of interfaith tourism — will be more effective than grand, symbolic gestures.
It’s crucial to acknowledge that genuine reconciliation takes time, and that achieving complete consensus on theological or political issues is unrealistic. Instead, the emphasis should remain on fostering mutual respect, building trust at the grassroots level, and creating opportunities for people from different faiths to interact and understand one another.
Expanding the scope of these initiatives to include more civil society actors, youth groups, and women leaders is essential. Furthermore, greater investment in educational programmes promoting interfaith understanding within school curricula will nurture a new generation of leaders committed to coexistence.
Successfully navigating the Israel-Iran dynamic will require discreet back-channel diplomacy and a willingness to engage with a diverse range of actors within the region. Regardless, the momentum generated by the Accords must be nurtured with sustained political and financial support, recognizing that the success of these initiatives is not measured solely in headlines but in the slow, painstaking work of building bridges and fostering understanding.
Source Attribution:
This report is based on analysis of publicly available information relating to the Abraham Accords and broader regional trends, combined with specialized knowledge of interfaith dialogue initiatives in the Middle East. While direct interviews were not conducted for this report, the analysis draws upon reporting from Reuters, Associated Press, The Times of Israel, Al Monitor, and reports published by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Bahrain News Agency.
