Hinduism in the United Arab Emirates

Hindus are a significant minority in the United Arab Emirates and there are more than 660,000 Hindus living in the United Arab Emirates as of 2020.[1] Hinduism is followed mainly by the significant Indian population in the United Arab Emirates.

Hindus in the United Arab Emirates
Total population
660,000 (2020); 7.5% of total population
Regions with significant populations
Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah
Religions
Hinduism
Languages
Related ethnic groups
Indians in the United Arab Emirates
Hinduism by country
Africa
Asia
Caribbean
Europe
North America
Oceania
South America
Full list

Background

After the discovery of crude oil and large scale industrialization and urbanization in the UAE many workers and employees came to UAE for work and employment purpose in the nation.[2] Many South Asians immigrated there for work and employed and after 2000, Dubai became a global hotspot for mainly South Asians, many of them were Hindus.[3]

Demographics

Most of the Hindu diaspora in UAE are Indian, especially from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra and Punjab.[4] The other Hindus are from Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan.[5][6][7]

Temples

There is currently just one Hindu temple in the two largest sheikhdoms. The Hindu Temple, Dubai (locally referred to as "Shiva and Krishna Mandir") has been pointed out as just a small prayer hall operating on the upper floor of a rented commercial building, with two altars.[8]

In July 2013, a Muslim businessman donated five acres of land adjoining a mosque for setting up a Swaminarayan temple just outside the city of Abu Dhabi, off the highway going towards Dubai.[9] In August 2015, the UAE government announced permission for building a Hindu temple on it. The announcement was made during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the UAE.[10][11][12] The first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi is currently under construction.[13] The new temple, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Abu Dhabi, had its foundation stone laying ceremony in April 2019.[14][15]

There are two operating cremation facilities for the Hindu community, one in Abu Dhabi and one in Dubai.[16]

See also

References

Citations
  1. "United Arab Emirates". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 24 May 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. Marsh 2015e, p. 67.
  3. Marsh 2015e, p. 71.
  4. Said, Luxrai27; October 29, on; Pm, 2015 at 6:18 (22 March 2009). "The Hindu Diaspora In The Middle East". Kashmir Blogs. Retrieved 24 May 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. "Centre's intervention sought to help Indians stranded in Nepal". The Hindu. Special Correspondent. 28 April 2021. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 12 July 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  6. "Did you know 250,000 Sri Lankans live in the UAE?". gulfnews.com. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  7. "Hindu temples in the UAE: A symbol of tolerance". Maktoob Yahoo. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  8. "First Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi: 8 things you may want to know". Condé Nast Traveller India. 3 April 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  9. "Arab donates land for Swaminarayan temple in UAE".
  10. "UAE takes a 'landmark' decision, allots land for building first temple in Abu Dhabi".
  11. "UAE allots land for temple on Modi visit".
  12. "UAE decides to allot land for temple in Abu Dhabi".
  13. Bhattacherjee, Kallol (6 February 2018). "PM to lay foundation stone of temple in UAE". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  14. "First Hindu Mandir In Abu Dhabi, UAE, To Be Built By BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha". Indo American News. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  15. Ahmad, Anwar f. "Video: First Hindu temple's foundation stone laying ceremony in Abu Dhabi". Gulf News. Dubai. Retrieved 24 May 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. Kumar, Ashwani. "Look: Abu Dhabi Hindu temple rising 'at great pace'". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 24 May 2021.

General bibliography
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