Sikhism in the United Arab Emirates

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Sikhism in UAE Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg
السيخية في الإمارات
Gurunanak Darbar Dubai, Jebel Ali Village.jpg
Total population
50,000
Regions with significant populations
Dubai  · Sharjah  · Abu Dhabi
Religions
Sikhism
Languages
Punjabi  · Arabic

Sikhism in the United Arab Emirates has a following of over 50,000; [1] the majority of Sikhs in the UAE can be found in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah.

Contents

Migration

In recent years, there has been an increase in the migration of Sikhs to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Sikhs, have been attracted to the UAE due to economic opportunities. Many Sikhs have chosen to relocate to the UAE, establishing business or finding employment in various sectors such as construction, hospitality, and finance, which has played a role in the country's economy.

Most Sikh expatriates are coming from India. However, there has been an increase in Sikhs from United Kingdom, United States and Canada for employment and business opportunities.

Gurdwara

The Sikh Gurdwara in Dubai, Guru Nanak Darbar, [2] serves over 10,000 worshippers. In June 2010, foundations were laid for the Guru Nanak Darbar. At a cost of $20 million, the large gurdwara is located in Jebel Ali, Dubai and will be the first 'official' Sikh temple in the entire Gulf, catering to the needs of the local Sikh community. [3] An area of 25,400 sq ft (2,360 m2) of land was given by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for the construction of the building. A community member and local businessman who proposed the gurdwara remarked "My dream is to make Guru Nanak Durbar the best, second only to the Golden Temple in Amritsar. [4]

Gurunanak Darbar is modelled on both the Golden Temple and the gurdwara in Southall, London by Interior designer Paul Bishop. Apart from a large carpeted prayer hall, there are three smaller rooms for private functions, a meditation room, a library and the spacious 'langar' or common kitchen hall. The state-of-the-art kitchen can serve the 10,000 plus worshipers who come every Friday. [5]

To develop religious values among the next generation of NRI s, special three-hour sessions are held for children on Saturdays at the temple where they are taught Punjabi, 'Kirtans' and how to behave in places of worship. [6]

Related Research Articles

A gurdwara is a place of assembly and worship for Sikhs. Sikhs also refer to gurdwaras as Gurdwara Sahib. People from all faiths are welcomed in gurdwaras. Each gurdwara has a Darbar Sahib where the Guru Granth Sahib is placed on a takhat in a prominent central position. Any congregant may recite, sing, and explain the verses from the Guru Granth Sahib, in the presence of the rest of the congregation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jebel Ali</span> Community in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Jebel Ali is a port town 35 kilometers (22 mi) south-west of Dubai. The Jebel Ali Port is located there. Al Maktoum International Airport has been constructed just outside the port area. Jebel Ali is connected to Dubai via the UAE Exchange, Danube and Energy stations on the Dubai Metro. Among the infrastructure projects built to support the port and town is the world's largest desalination plant, the Jebel Ali Desalination Plant, providing an ample supply of freshwater.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hinduism in the United Arab Emirates</span> Overview of the presence, role and impact of Hinduism in United Arab Emirates

Hindus are a significant minority in the United Arab Emirates and constituting around 6.6%-15% of the population in the nation. Hinduism is followed mainly by the significant Nepali and Indian population in the United Arab Emirates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Udasi</span> Early sect of Sikhism

Udasis, also spelt as Udasins, also known as Nanak Putras, are a religious sect of ascetic sadhus centred in northern India who follow a tradition known as Udasipanth. Becoming custodians of Sikh shrines in the 18th century, they were notable interpreters and spreaders of the Sikh philosophy during that time. However, their religious practices border on a syncretism of Sikhism and Hinduism, including idolatry, and they did not conform to the Khalsa standards as ordained by Guru Gobind Singh. When the Lahore Singh Sabha reformers, dominated by Tat Khalsa Sikhs, would hold them responsible for indulging in ritual practices antithetical to Sikhism, as well as personal vices and corruption, the Udasi mahants were expelled from the Sikh shrines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kartarpur, Pakistan</span> Town in Punjab, Pakistan and a holy site in Sikhism

Kartarpur is a town located, in the Shakargarh Tehsil, Narowal District in Punjab, Pakistan. Located on the right bank of the Ravi River, it is said to have been founded by the first guru of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, where he established the first Sikh commune.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sikh architecture</span> Style of architecture

Sikh architecture is a style of architecture that was developed under the Sikh Confederacy and Sikh Empire during the 18th and 19th centuries in the Punjab region. Due to its progressive style, it is constantly evolving into many newly developing branches with new contemporary styles. Although Sikh architecture was initially developed within Sikhism its style has been used in many non-religious buildings due to its beauty. 300 years ago, Sikh architecture was distinguished for its many curves and straight lines; Keshgarh Sahib and the Harmandir Sahib are prime examples.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sikhism in Germany</span>

German Sikhs are a growing religious minority in Germany. The majority of German Sikhs have their roots from the Punjab, India with the remaining coming from the Afghan Sikh community or through conversion. The number of Sikhs is estimated to be between 25,000. Germany had the fifth highest Sikh population in Europe after United Kingdom (524,000), Italy (220,000), Portugal (35,000) and Spain (26,000).

Indians in the United Arab Emirates constitute the largest part of the population of the country. Over 3,860,000 Indian expats are estimated to be living in the UAE, which is over 38 percent of the total population of the UAE and the fourth highest number of overseas Indian people in the world, after the United States, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Nepal. Indian contact with the emirates that now constitute the UAE dates back several centuries, as a result of trade and commerce between the emirates and India. The UAE has experienced a tremendous increase in the population of resident Indians who initially migrated to the country as a result of opportunities in petroleum. Now, Indians are key to the UAE's construction, retail, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing and transport sectors. A sizeable minority of Indian migrants are involved in professional services and entrepreneurship. Relations between India and the UAE have traditionally been very friendly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sikhism in England</span>

English Sikhs number over 520,000 people and account for 0.92% of England's population in 2021, forming the country's fourth-largest religious group. In 2006 there were 352 gurdwaras in England. The largest Sikh populations in the U.K. are in the West Midlands and Greater London.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur</span> Sikh gurdwara in Kartarpur,Pakistan

Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, also called Kartarpur Sahib, is a gurdwara in Kartarpur, located in Shakargarh, Narowal District, in the Punjab province of Pakistan. It is built on the historic site where the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, settled and assembled the Sikh community after his missionary travels and lived for 18 years until his death in 1539. It is one of the holiest sites in Sikhism, alongside the Golden Temple in Amritsar and Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jebel Ali Village</span> Community in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Jebel Ali Village (JAV) is a neighbourhood in Jebel Ali, southern Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Now it is a redevelopment by Nakheel Properties of the existing Jebel Ali Village. Churches Complex of Jebel Ali is located here.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gurdwara Janam Asthan</span> Building in Punjab, Pakistan

Gurdwara Janam Asthan, also referred to as Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, is a highly revered gurdwara that is situated at the site where the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, was born. The shrine is located in Nankana Sahib, Punjab, Pakistan.

Islam is both the official and majority religion in the United Arab Emirates, professed by approximately 76% of the population. The Al Nahyan and Al Maktoum ruling families adhere to Sunni Islam of Maliki school of jurisprudence. Many followers of the Hanbali school of Sunni Islam are found in Sharjah, Umm al-Quwain, Ras al-Khaimah and Ajman. Their followers include the Al Qasimi ruling family. Other religions represented in the country including Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism and Sikhism are practiced by non-nationals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara</span>

The Guru Nanak Temple is a Sikh Gurdwara situated in the town of Gravesend, Kent. It is the largest Gurdwara in Europe and also one of the largest outside India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Idolatry in Sikhism</span> View of idolatry in Sikhism

Sikhism prohibits idolatry, in accordance with mainstream Khalsa norms and the teachings of the Sikh Gurus, a position that has been accepted as orthodox.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guru Nanak Darbar, Dubai</span>

The Guru Nanak Darbar is a Sikh gurdwara at Jebel Ali Village in Dubai, founded in 2012 to serve over 50,000 Sikh residents in the emirate. The community-run gurdwara is the first official Sikh temple in the GCC region and the Middle East, and it was established by Surender Singh Kandhari, a resident of Dubai since 1976.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Churches Complex</span>

The Churches Complex in Jebel Ali Village, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is an area for a number of churches and temples of different religious denominations, especially Christian denominations. It is located immediately to south of the Al Muntazah residential neighbourhood complex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sikhism in Russia</span>

Sikhism is a minority religion in Russia, with an estimated population of under one thousand adherents. There is one gurdwara in Russia, located in Moscow.

References

  1. Sikhs in Dubai Sikhs in Dubai Archived 2010-11-19 at the Wayback Machine
  2. "Dubai's grand gurdwara pulls crowds". Hindustan Times. 4 July 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  3. First 'official' gurdwara in Dubai - The Times of India
  4. $20 mn Dubai gurudwara first in Gulf - IndiaPost
  5. "Yahoo Search - Web Search".
  6. "Yahoo Search - Web Search".