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UAE - A powerful message of tolerance, peace and harmony, bringing together people from various faiths, marked the official opening ceremony of the newest Hindu temple in Dubai today.
Located in a neighbourhood referred to as the emirate's 'worship village', the temple formally opened its doors to worshippers across the UAE on Tuesday, October 4.
The 'worship village' in Jebel Ali now houses nine religious shrines, including seven churches, the Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh Gurudwara, and the new Hindu house of worship.
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, inaugurated the temple by lighting a lantern in the temple's multi-purpose hall on the ground floor.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was organised in the main prayer hall. Sheikh Nahyan was joined by Sunjay Sudhir, Indian Ambassador to the UAE; Dr Omar Al Muthanna, CEO of the social regulatory and licensing agency for the Community Development Authority (CDA); and Raju Shroff, trustee of the Hindu Temple Dubai. Ahmed Abdul Karim Julfar, director-general of the Community Development Authority, was also present at the event.
Over 200 dignitaries, including the heads of diplomatic missions, religious leaders of several faiths, business owners and Indian community members were also present at the glittering opening ceremony.
Indian ambassador Sunjay Sudhir said: "It is welcome news for the Indian community that a new Hindu temple is being inaugurated in Dubai today. The temple's opening serves the religious aspirations of the large Hindu community living in the UAE. The new temple is adjoining a Gurudwara, which was opened in 2012.
"We are honoured that Sheikh Nahayan inaugurated the new Hindu temple in Dubai. We thank the graciousness and generosity of the Dubai Government for providing land for the temple and facilitating its construction. We also thank the UAE government for providing a second home to 3.5 million Indians where they live and work and contribute to the economy and society."
Plans to construct the 70,000-square-foot house of worship were announced in 2000, shortly after the Covid-19 pandemic struck the city.
Speaking to Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the opening ceremony, Shroff said: "The temple opening in Dubai is a dream come true not just for Hindus, but for Indians all over the UAE. The temple is a true representation of how we perceive religion – bringing cultures together.
"Despite Covid -19, construction timelines were not hampered because of the support of the Dubai government. The Hindu Temple Dubai is truly a remarkable icon of how receptive and compassionate Dubai and the Government of the UAE are. Whether it was in 1958 to launch the first 'mandir' in the country to the Hindu Temple now, the Emirati generosity remains."
Pre-registration is required to visit the house of worship, and devotees can register online before arrival. Worshippers will have to register on the temple website, and almost 200,000 people visited the temple in September using the QR code appointment system, elaborated Shroff.
By the end of the year, there will be a spacious community centre where Hindu ceremonies, rituals and prayers can take place, including weddings, naming ceremonies and 'janeyu' or sacred thread ceremonies, all with options for catering, said temple officials.
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