Between cultures – Claude Grundman Brightman
- Córdoba, February 11, 2026
7 years ago, in one of the most prestigious hotels of Paris, Hotel Meurice, I met a charming young man who looked like a Prince, and guess what, he is a Prince.
What is unusual is the fact that, being an Israeli, I had almost no opportunity to meet on a social basis people from the Emirates or Bahrain.
Here we are, speaking to each other, Mubarak Al Khalifa and me, about life, dreams, and vision. This young man astonished me by expressing his strong wish to visit Israel and pray in Jerusalem. Deep in his heart, he knew that we, enemies from yesterday, should soon open a new chapter for peace and cooperation.
Can you imagine such an extraordinary statement coming from a very young man with an incredible sense of history, way before any of us could even think of establishing official relationships between our two countries?
I was impressed and moved, so I decided to make it happen and to invite him to be my guest in Israel. Not an easy task. But surprisingly, I got help from the highest rank of the Israeli authorities, and a visa was issued.
On the day Sheikh Mubarak arrived, I was hosting an event for the then Defense Minister of the State of Israel, Avigdor Lieberman, and more than 120 leaders of my country. I introduced Mubarak, and he was blessed and welcomed by all.
We then went to Jerusalem and visited all sacred places: the Mosque of the Dome, the grave of Jesus, and the Wall of the Jews. I watched this young man praying at all religious sites, no matter on behalf of which community. Same God, same faith.
To me and my friends in Israel, it was a life-changing story. This visit remains the cornerstone of what would become, seven years later, the Abraham Agreement. This gives you the amplitude of Sheikh Mubarak’s personality, of his vision, and of his wonderful capacity to reach out and make himself available for precious goals of peace and understanding between people.
We remained close — we can say like family. Mubarak came again three years ago to my son’s wedding, and it shows to what extent he could be a role model for the young generations.
We thought about creating a special website for him to inspire young people from all regions of the Middle East, but unfortunately his private situation did not permit us to concretize this project.
No doubt that he is a very special human being, with a clear vision and a source of inspiration for tolerance and understanding for all. I am sure his destiny will materialize in unique steps toward an important role on behalf of his country very soon.
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