It's Slowly Becoming Easier Being A Hindu In The Middle East

[krsna]

Being Hindu In The Middle East

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/82/story_8248_2.html

 

DUBAI, January 30, 2008: As an ad executive from India, Ajay Goppinath

was all set to earn some international experience with a stint in the

Middle East, finally settling on an agency in Saudi Arabia. Upon his

arrival in Jeddah airport, however, he confronted an altogether

unfamiliar side of business travel. "I was carrying a picture and a

small Ganesha icon," recalled Gopinath, who has since returned to

India. "The picture was torn up in front of me and the icon crushed.

Within Saudi Arabia, as he would soon learn, even a privately held

non-Islamic religious display can get one arrested, begins this

article.

 

Nonetheless thousands of Hindus and other Indians flock to the

Middle East each year. Once attracted by the seemingly endless wealth

of the oil industry, immigrants are now drawn to a variety of fields.

 

Life in the largely Muslim Gulf ranges widely, from repressive,

fear-filled days in Saudi Arabia, through a laid-back existence in

easy-going Oman, continues this article. But in countries like Oman and

the United Arab Emirates, of which Dubai is a part, this fear is being

increasingly tempered with liberalization. Nandini Hazra, a devout

Hindu in Dubai, notes that changes have been tremendous in the last six

or seven years. Hazra acknowledges that when she first came to Dubai

nine years ago, it was difficult to pursue a Hindu lifestyle. "These

days, however, I can get anything I want--all utensils--in silver,

copper or steel, Hindu magazines, prayer books and tapes of bhajans."

The lenience of the Dubai authorities extends much further than

availability of items. According to Hazra, the Indian community is now

able to openly celebrate traditionally "loud" festivals like Holi and

Deepavali. There has never been any problem with celebrations in the

privacy of one's home, but now, Hindus are able to use public spaces

for their revelry. "Three years ago, we would never have dared do

this," she says. "Now nobody bothers. The police come, watch us for a

bit and then leave. There is no harassment."

 

Sachin Kelkar, who works in a publishing firm in Oman and is an active

member of the Indian Social Club, speaks with a smile about how the

Ganapathi festival was celebrated last year -- in full form, with a

special puja and a host of cultural celebrations in the Krishna Temple

complex. Kelkar suggests that the leniency towards Hindus in Oman is

largely due to the Khimjis--a powerful business family that has great

say in the various ministries of the country. Also, Oman's current

ruler, Sultan Qaboos bin Said, is openly appreciative of the Indians's

contribution to his country's growth and he has personally granted

support to the two temples in the country. For the full article, click

on "source" above.