From Mourning to Hope: How Compassionate Leadership Can Redefine the Middle East

When United Arab Emirates (UAE) leader Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi traveled to Israel to comfort Rabbi Zvi Kogan’s family after his recent brutal murder, it was more than an act of solidarity — it was a powerful statement. In a world fractured by violence and mistrust, his visit showed what is possible when leaders rise above division with courage and humanity.

This act of compassion didn’t surprise me. Ever since I first heard Dr. Al Nuaimi speak at the groundbreaking N7 Conference in Morocco two years ago, I was struck by his vision and leadership. Dr. Al Nuaimi is an extraordinary figure—a scholar, a statesman, and a relentless advocate for coexistence. As Chairman of the  Defense Affairs, Interior & Foreign Affairs Committee of the UAE Federal National Council and founder of the Manara Center for Coexistence and Dialogue, he actively shows how faith and diplomacy can work together to reshape our region for the better. I have been blessed to meet with him personally, be a guest in his home, and discuss our shared dedication to interfaith work that embraces the role of identity and roots in our common region.

Like Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, the late Chief Rabbi of England, who argued that religions become dangerous only when their true fundamentals are forgotten, Dr. Al Nuaimi boldly critiques the exclusivist, militant strains of political Islam that have harmed both Muslims and non-Muslims alike as they have strayed from their true values. Instead, he calls upon fellow believers to reclaim their religion as a force for unity and understanding. His many books, deeply rooted in Islamic theology, draw on the Quran, Hadith, and historical documents like the Constitution of Al-Madinah to advocate for a more inclusive and respectful society, as reflected in their practical titles Diversity and Coexistence: Fostering Acceptance in a Diverse and Open Society and Political Islam: Myth and Reality.

By championing humanity, diversity and coexistence, Dr. Al Nuaimi serves as an example for all of us. We need more courageous individuals and leaders who are willing to confront the ideologies that enable extremism. This should include addressing Western media outlets that inadvertently give legitimacy to radicals by portraying their actions as authentic expressions of Islam. As Rabbi Sacks and Dr. Al Nuaimi have pointed out, these extremists are the greatest violators of their own religion’s values. At its heart, religion should bring people together, not drive them apart.

This principle of unity is central to the Abraham Accords, which have opened unprecedented possibilities for cooperation across the Middle East. Yet, recent events remind us just how fragile peace can be. The war that began on October 7, combined with the ongoing instability in Syria and Lebanon, makes it clear that interfaith partnerships rooted in trust and mutual recognition are essential.

As Dr. Al Nuaimi has told me, we cannot wait for external powers to solve our problems. We, the people and leaders of this region, must take responsibility for our shared future. Disorder and conflict are contagious, and the only antidote is a united front of people and faiths committed to stability, order, and mutual respect. This is why interfaith partnerships are not merely idealistic but urgently necessary. Without them, we risk losing the progress we have made and condemning another generation to the cycle of violence.

Real-world examples show us what this kind of leadership looks like in practice. Days after Oct. 7 Dr. Al Nuaimi said “We want everyone to acknowledge and accept that Israel is here to exist, and that the roots of Jews and Christians are not in New York or Paris but here in our region. They are part of our history, and they should be part of our future.” More recently, the aftermath of  the tragic murder of Rabbi Zvi Kogan in Dubai last month became a testament to what is possible when leaders act with integrity. The UAE acted swiftly, capturing the perpetrators, and Dr. Al Nuaimi publicly declared, “Terror has failed; peace will prevail. The UAE will continue to be a lighthouse of hope in the region.” But he did not stop at writing; he traveled all the way to Israel to personally console Rabbi Kogan’s bereaved family, offering solidarity in the face of violence.

This reminded me of King Hussein of Jordan, who after a terror attack in 1997 traveled to Israel to console victims’ families with the words, “Your loss is my loss.” These acts of compassion are not just symbolic; they are the seeds of real change – change rooted in the timeless lessons of our shared history, which calls on us to overcome division and see one another as part of the same family.

Like the Torah portion we read during my recent trip to Dubai, we can learn from the stories of Isaac and Ishmael—Abraham’s sons—who both faced mortal danger but ultimately were blessed and spared by God. The message is clear: both Isaac and Ishmael, and by extension Jews and Muslims, are beloved and blessed as part of Abraham’s family. While family relationships can be fraught with jealousy and rivalry, the Abraham Accords challenge us to heal the Abrahamic family. ,

Jews and Muslims share a deep bond as spiritual siblings, an idea I have outlined in Jewish-Muslim Religious Fraternity. The question before us is whether we will rise to our shared calling to be a source of blessing to one another and to the world. Leaders like Dr. Al Nuaimi have shown us what is possible, but they cannot do it alone. We need more voices, more partnerships, and more courage to move beyond dialogue and into the realm of real, measurable change.

The Abraham Accords were only the beginning; it is up to us to ensure they become the foundation of a more peaceful and prosperous Middle East. This is our shared responsibility, and it is our greatest opportunity. Let us rise to meet it together.