Hinduism in the United Arab Emirates

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Hindus in the United Arab Emirates
BAPS Abu Dhabi Mandir.jpg
Visitors at newly constructed BAPS Hindu Mandir at Abu Dhabi.
Total population
1,239,600 (2022); 6.6%-15% of total population
Regions with significant populations
Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah
Religions
Hinduism
Related ethnic groups
Indians in the United Arab Emirates

Hindus are the third largest Religious group in the United Arab Emirates and constitute around 6.6%-15% of the population in the nation. [1] Hinduism is followed mainly by the significant Nepali and Indian population in the United Arab Emirates.[ citation needed ]

Contents

History

At the turn of the 20th century, the region that now comprises the UAE experienced an economic boom as a result of the pearling industry; the few Indian traders who immigrated to the emirates settled in coastal towns and remained on the fringes of Emirati society. [2] Dubai has traditionally served as an " entrepôt for trade between the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent and was dominated by Hindu merchants in both gold and textile trade". [3] After the discovery of crude oil and large-scale industrialization and urbanization in the UAE, many workers and employees came to UAE for employment purposes in the nation. [4] Many South Asians immigrated there for work, and after 2000, Dubai became a global hotspot, attracting mainly South Asians, many of whom were Hindus. [5]

Demographics

Most of the Hindu diaspora in UAE are Indian, especially from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Punjab. [6] The other Hindus are from Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan. [7] [8] [9]

According to the 2007 International Religious Freedom Report, unofficial figures estimate that at least 15 percent of the UAE population is Hindu. [10] In 2011, the Pew Research Center estimates that Hindus constitute 6.6% of the population. [11]

Temples

Hindu Temple, Jabel Ali, Dubai Hindu Temple Dubai.jpg
Hindu Temple, Jabel Ali, Dubai

There are currently two temples in Dubai and one temple in Abu Dhabi.

The Hindu Temple, Dubai, located in Bur Dubai, is locally referred to as "Shiva and Krishna Mandir." It was built in 1958. [12] The Shiv temple closed in 2024 due to lack of space and was relocated to Jabel Ali. The Krishna Temple continues to exist there.

The second Hindu Temple of Dubai is in Jebel Ali Village next to the Sikh Gurudwara and Churches Complex. The temple was opened on October 5, 2022.

In August 2015, the UAE government allocated land for the construction of a Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi. The construction of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi commenced in December 2019. [13] Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the temple on 14 February 2024. [14]

Cremation facilities for Hindus

There are two operating cremation facilities for the Hindu community, one in Abu Dhabi and one in Dubai. [15]

See also

Related Research Articles

This article covers the various forms of transport in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), by road, rail, air, water, etc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Arab Emirates</span> Country in West Asia

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), or simply the Emirates, is a country in West Asia, in the Middle East. It is located at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula and shares borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia, while also having maritime borders in the Persian Gulf with Qatar and Iran. Abu Dhabi is the country's capital, while Dubai, the most populous city, is an international hub.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum</span> 2nd Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (1912–1990)

Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum was an Emirati royal, politician and a founder of the United Arab Emirates. Al Maktoum was the first vice president and second prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, and was the ruler of Dubai. He ruled Dubai for 32 years from 1958 until his death in 1990. He was the vice president from the founding of the UAE until his death. Al Maktoum was the first vice president to serve as prime minister concurrently, when he became prime minister on 30 April 1979. Every prime minister after him was de facto also vice president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hinduism in the Middle East</span> Overview of the presence of Hinduism in the Arab world

Hinduism has been found in the Middle East since the early 16th century. Millions of members of the Indian diaspora, of different religions, reside and work in Arab states of the Persian Gulf; many of them are Hindu. Many came due to the migration of Indians and Nepalese expatriates and employees to the area around the Persian Gulf.

The Constitution of the United Arab Emirates provides for freedom of religion by established customs, and the government generally respects this right in practice; however, there are some restrictions. The federal Constitution declares that Islam is the official religion of the country. The Government confirmed it illegal to convert from Islam and leaving the Islamic faith is considered apostasy, a crime punishable by death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emiratis</span> Native Arab population of the United Arab Emirates

The Emiratis are the native citizen population of the United Arab Emirates. Within the UAE itself, they number approximately 1.15 million.

The Dubai Hindu Temple is a place of worship for Hindus in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The temple caters to the large Hindu community in the United Arab Emirates. The temple complex, initially established in 1958 in Bur Dubai, comprised the Shiva Mandir, Krishna Mandir, and Gurudwara.

Mass media in the United Arab Emirates is subject to government control and censorship. Media freedom is severely curtailed in the UAE. Most UAE media is owned by the government or by groups that have ties to the government. UAE law permits the government to censor content critical of the government. Journalists and writers who criticize the government are subject to repression.

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, 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">Christianity in the United Arab Emirates</span>

According to the 2005 census, Christians accounted for 9 percent of the total population of the United Arab Emirates; estimates in 2010 suggested a figure of 12.6%.

<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">India–United Arab Emirates relations</span> Bilateral relations

India–United Arab Emirates relations are the bilateral relations that exist between the Republic of India and the United Arab Emirates. Since 3000 B.C., India and the UAE, including its precursor emirates, had close relations with ancient trade networks. Sumerians traded with Meluhha, Magan, and Dilmun (Bahrain), connecting through the UAE. Maritime routes facilitated Arab trade with India for silk, spices, gold, and porcelain. Sumerians traded with Meluhha, Magan, and Dilmun (Bahrain), connecting through the UAE. Maritime routes facilitated Arab trade with India for silk, spices, gold, and porcelain. Post-1971, India-UAE relations strengthened politically, economically, and culturally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sikhism in the United Arab Emirates</span>

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

Islam is both the majority and official 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 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, Zoroastrians, Druze, Baha'i, Judaism, and Sikhism are practiced by non-nationals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi</span> Traditional Hindu temple in UAE

The BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi in the UAE, is a traditional Hindu mandir built by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. Inspired by Pramukh Swami Maharaj (1921–2016) and consecrated by Mahant Swami Maharaj on 14 February 2024, this is the first traditional Hindu mandir in Abu Dhabi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shrinathji Temple, Bahrain</span> Hindu temple in Bahrain

Shrinathji Temple is a heritage Hindu temple in Manama established in the year 1817. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shrinathji, a form of Krishna, manifested as a seven-year-old child. The temple is located in the Bahrain's capital city of Manama.

<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.

Events in the year 2022 in the United Arab Emirates.

Events in the year 2024 in the United Arab Emirates.

References

Citations

  1. ↑ "United Arab Emirates". U.S. Department of State . Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  2. ↑ Abed, Hellyer. United Arab Emirates: A New Perspective (page 114). Trident Press. 2001
  3. ↑ King, Russel. Return Migration and Regional Economic Problems (page 245). Routledge. 1986
  4. ↑ Marsh 2015, p. 67.
  5. ↑ Marsh 2015, p. 71.
  6. ↑ 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: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ↑ "Centre's intervention sought to help Indians stranded in Nepal". The Hindu. 28 April 2021. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  8. ↑ "Did you know 250,000 Sri Lankans live in the UAE?". gulfnews.com. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  9. ↑ "Hindu temples in the UAE: A symbol of tolerance". Maktoob Yahoo. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  10. ↑ "United Arab Emirates: International Religious Freedom Report 2007". United States Department of State: Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. 14 September 2007. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  11. ↑ "2021 Report on International Religious Freedom: United Arab Emirates". United States Department of State: Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor . Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  12. ↑ "First Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi: 8 things you may want to know". Condé Nast Traveller India. 3 April 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  13. ↑ Kumar, Ashwani. "'Dream come true': 30 days left for Abu Dhabi Hindu temple grand opening". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  14. ↑ "PM Modi performs Aarti at the BAPS Mandir, the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi". The Economic Times. 14 February 2024.
  15. ↑ Kumar, Ashwani. "Look: Abu Dhabi Hindu temple rising 'at great pace'". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 24 May 2021.

General bibliography

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