The Indian government has lauded a decision by the United Arab Emirates to allocate land for the building of the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi. Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, currently on a two-day trip to the UAE, said in a tweet on Sunday, that he was thankful to the UAE government, describing the move, “a great step”.
There are currently two Hindu temples and one Sikh gurudwara in Dubai, but none in Abu Dhabi.
On Sunday, Modi became the first Indian premier to visit the country in 34 years, meeting with Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The trip is seen an important step in burgeoning trade relations between India and the UAE, and the decision to allocate land for a temple in Abu Dhabi underpins the strategic vision of the two nations.
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The UAE, a federation of seven emirates, is home to about 2.6 million Indian expatriates who comprise a third of the total population and outnumber the local Emirati population. Annual Indian remittances from the UAE are estimated at $14bn.
India is the UAE’s second-largest trading partner and the UAE is India’s third largest trading partner behind the US and China. Trade between the two reached $60bn last year.
Samir Saran, vice president of the Observer Research Foundation, a think tank based in Delhi, told Al Jazeera that UAE got it right by allocating land for such a venture.
“There will be those who will think that it is about him [Modi] demanding a temple or pushing a religious agenda. It is none of that. It was simply a case of him being the first leader from India to go to UAE after a long time, and it was a goodwill gesture.
“It is still a relationship centred around trade … Modi certainly didn’t go lobbying for a temple,” Saran said.
In July 2013, The Times of India, citing a source within the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), said a Muslim businessman had donated five acres of land for the building of a temple in Abu Dhabi.
According to the source, the move came after the BAPS had traveled to UAE on invitation from the Invest AD group based in the Dubai.
It is not clear if Sunday’s announcement referred to the same land.
It is a good news to the Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhists and Sanatani Omkar followers that they will be able to perform their Dharma in an upcoming State recognised temple upon the lands donated by the Royal authorities of UAE. The United Arab Emirates on Sunday decided to allot land for building a temple in Abu Dhabi for the Indian community, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on a two-day state visit.
“A long wait for the Indian community ends. On the occasion of PM’s visit, UAE Govt decides to allot land for building a temple in Abu Dhabi,” tweeted external affairs ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup.
“PM @narendramodi thanks UAE leadership for this landmark decision,” he said.
Afterwards PM Modi also tweeted the matter and thanked the UAE authority accordingly.
The UAE is home to 2.6 million Indian workers, of who around 20 percent are white-collar professionals. Indian expatriates comprise 30 percent of the UAE’s population and are the largest nationality group.
So, far there are some unrecognised and inhouse restricted Hindu-Sikh worship places in Dubai and in some vicinities in UAE, the Islamic Royal State has decided to allow public non-Islamic worship place for the Indian roots people very significantly.
The upcoming Temple in Abu Dhabi will accommodate the worshipers of Panch Upasana (Ganapati- Shankar-Vishnu-Shakti-Surya), Omkar, Gurugarnth Shahib, Buddha and Mahavir with the facilities of Indian festivals like Diwali, Dussehra, Ram Navmi etc. and most obviously the practice of Yoga and Meditation.
Indian Nationals staying in UAE has heartily welcomed the decision. They expect that this Temple will be a symbol of World Peace and Harmony and as well as the landmark of Indian spirituality.
jai shree raam. the religion that tolerates all and has given credence to universality. we fight no one we force no one. our only aim is to enlighten and embrace spirituality, and divinity in its multiplicity.
Great gesture by the UAE government. It is time our neighbour Pakistan learns from them about diplomacy.
other than muslims and Christians all others will try to see Nirakara Brahma through sakara brahma in this temple
A splendid gesture from a Muslim country for the cause of Hinduism to promote good relationship between India and the UAE, which is heart warming, to say the least.The rulership of UAE deserve all praise for their act of broad mindedness.
MODI has done great achivement by going to ARAB countrys & make them to DONATELAND FOR TEMPLE & Made them to understand muslims are more safe in india rather than muslim countrys
GREAT
Premier Modi you the dream come true for Indians & India.
I am the happiest person. WOW !!!
Its a great step that UAE is troding on this planet Earth– by allowing the rituals of all religions being performed on its Land –This shows the Grandeur of the KING who accepts all nieghbours as brothers /sisters as is said in the Holy QURAN –
Great news ! Thanks to both leaders of UAE and Mr Modi. This would show intolerant countries that God never want division. We can co-exist peacefully . Happy for our Hindu friends living and working in UAE.
UAE government is an exception. May Lord Siva bless them
Its a great step that UAE has taken towards Humans unity– Wishing all the success to the people of UAE.
Hindus should thank the rulers of UAE for this noble gesture. I wish the people of UAE all the prosperity.
It is a gr8 step n achievement by both topmost leaders from UAE and INDIA towords humanity and respecting all religions. JAI SHRIRAM.
The Hindu philosophy is that there is not just One God but ‘Only God’ in this Universe. They can see that oneness in Many which is why they can invoke and worship God in any image such as Shiva, Visnu, Shakti,Ayyappa. They also worship Aditya, the sun and elements such as air, water, earth etc. It is a prayerful attitude that can see the divinity in all beings holding everything in this creation as sacred. They can therefore peacefully coexist with all religions and all beings of the World. They don’t worship idols as critics think but invoke the one almighty through various forms as all forms are HIS alone.
Congratulations to leaders of UAE and India and those from the community who have made recognition possible for Hindus to have a public place of worship in Abudhabi.