K.V. Seetharamaiah
With the inauguration of Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Hindu Mandir, India has opened its first account of Hindu place of worship in Abu Dhabi. Currently there are two temples in Dubai dedicated to Gods Shiva and Krishna. The first Hindu temple in Dubai located in Bur Dubai is said to have been built in 1958. The second Hindu Temple of Dubai is in Jebel Ali Village next to the Sikh Gurudwara and Churches complex.
The first temple opened in Abu Dhabi is the first one after 66 years in United Arab Emirates (UAE). The temple inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 14/02/2024 has been reportedly built on 27-acre plot at a cost of Rs. 700 crore. UAE is home for 3.5 million (or 35 lakh) Hindus. It means it is one temple for every 11.67 lakh Hindus.
In contrast to this India has Muslim population of 204 million (2040 lakh) (2019 estimate) and there are 6 lakh active mosques. There is one mosque for every 340 Muslims in India. Hinduism is the oldest but third largest religion after Christianity and Islam. Hinduism could not spread its tentacles as speedily as Christianity and Islam religions all over the world.
The glaring example is the number of temples in UAE at just 3. In the 10 years of Modi rule, a temple came up in UAE with the co-operation of the UAE government. But the successive Governments of India in the past took no initiative for temples in UAE for over 60 years after independence.
Hindu places of worship outside of the country are a congregation point for Hindus living in foreign countries. Temples in foreign countries can be counted in fingers whereas Churches and Mosques in India are countless.
In the Hindu-dominated country India, Hindus have to fight against Hindus for the temples to come up. People opposed to the construction of temples advocate for the schools, colleges, hospitals only to come up. They fail to understand that the hospitals, educational institutions etc. are no reason to obviate the need of temples.
If the Christians and Muslims had thought on this line, the places of worship of these communities would not have outnumbered the temples all over the world. These communities have given importance both to the places of worship and infrastructures to the people.
Places of worship of any community deflect or insulate the people from violence to the possible extent.
Places of worship are abode of peace and tranquillity. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and the Prime Minister and people of the UAE must be profusely thanked for having allowed a magnificent temple to come up.
This would strengthen the bridge of friendship between India and UAE. Prime Minister Narendra Modi deserves rich accolades for laying foundation for temple in 2019 and get it completed in less than 5 years.
