Al Haqeeqa
The recently opened BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi has hosted its first Ramadan even, including, iftar for people from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds for a special evening of spiritual reflection, dialogue and community bonding.
According to Khaleej Times, the event titled ‘Omsiyyat’, the Ramadan cultural evening was followed by suhoor made by the volunteers of the grand temple located at the stone temple in Abu Mureikha, off the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway.
The historic interfaith event brought together Emirati ministers, a rabbi, a vicar, representatives of the Bohra and Sikh communities, heads of government departments, ambassadors, diplomats, community leaders, artists, entrepreneurs, and overseas guests.
Among those who graced the occasion were Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, and Dr Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of the Department of Community Development.
Bollywood actor Vivek Oberio was a special guest at the function. He posted a part of his speech on the occasion on X:
Sometime ago I got to share my humble thoughts at The Festival of Harmony, which celebrates the first of its kind, historic and iconic BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi. Standing amidst the grandeur of the newly opened temple in Abu Dhabi, I was overwhelmed with emotion, and now is… pic.twitter.com/qc3IuHUxFY
— Vivek Anand Oberoi (@vivekoberoi) April 1, 2024
Sheikh Nahyan underlined that India and the UAE are joined together by a special relationship and strong connection in a world torn by division and strife rather than common purpose and cooperation.
“The India-UAE relations are based on many common interests and values. We cherish our friendship with the people of India and look forward to enhancing and strengthening this wonderful relationship now and in the future.”
Sheikh Nahyan praised the BAPS Sanstha for hosting an interfaith gathering celebrating the holy month.
“This is a great opportunity for us to collectively reflect on our good fortune of living and working in the UAE. It’s also an opportunity to appreciate the significance of peace, tolerance, human fraternity, and interfaith harmony in the country,” Sheikh Nahyan noted.
Pujya Swami Brahmaviharidas, who led the temple project from the BAPS Sanstha, thanked the UAE leaders and ministers for their constant love and support.
“This is a month of self-discipline and self-introspection. It’s a month of expressing our gratitude and generosity. It’s also a month of genuine feelings and friendship. I feel that all the blessings of all the fasting you have done, all the rituals and ceremonies and prayers you have performed, have all been collected in this premises today,” Swami Brahmaviharidas told the attendees.
Later, Swami Brahmaviharidas narrated a moral tale promoting love, friendship, and harmony.
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The interfaith event was marked by engaging discussions among attendees fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the multicultural environment in the UAE. Later, there were traditional cultural performances, and attendees were treated to sumptuous pure vegetarian food made by the BAPS volunteers.
