UAE Media Spotlights PM Modi's Hindu Temple Inauguration as 'A Beacon of Interfaith Harmony'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Abu Dhabi captured major headlines in the UAE media on Thursday, particularly the inauguration of Abu Dhabi’s first Hindu stone temple, described as “a new golden chapter of human history.”

PM Modi on Wednesday inaugurated the temple built by the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), describing it as a symbol of the shared heritage of humanity. Speaking at the inauguration, the Prime Minister thanked the President of UAE, Sheikh Mohammad Zayed Al Nahyan, for making the grand temple in Abu Dhabi a reality.

The National described the opening of the Hindu temple as a “landmark moment of interfaith harmony in the Emirates.” Much of the coverage on Modi focused on how his belief that “The UAE has, in history, written a new chapter.” The Gulf News dubbed the “Ahlan Modi’ event in Abu Dhabi as the biggest gathering and celebration of Indian expats in the UAE ever since his first public address in Dubai in 2015.

“Amidst thunderous claps and chants of ‘Modi, Modi,’ the Prime Minister ushered in at 7pm, waving his hands to tens of thousands of Indians of all ages at the ‘Ahlan Modi’ event at Zayed Sports Stadium in Abu Dhabi, what has been dubbed as be the biggest gathering and celebration of the Indian expats in the UAE ever since his first public address in Dubai in 2015,” the publication wrote.

The Emirates News Agency covered the ceremony for the foundation stone laying of Bharat Mart, a market and trading platform for Indian businesses in Dubai. The ceremony took place at the World Government Summit 2024. In one of its articles, The Khaleej Times highlighted the personal bond between PM Modi and the President of UAE. “Modi, on a two-day visit to the UAE, repeatedly referred to Sheikh Mohamed as his ‘brother’, while the two leaders met to announce the signing of several agreements, including a bilateral investment treaty,” the publication wrote.

The BAPS temple, which was integrated on Wednesday, is built on a 27-acre site in Abu Mreikhah, near Al Rahba off the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Highway, at a cost of around Rs 700 crore. The Prime Minister noted that this is not only the time of India’s ‘Amrit Kaal’, this is also the time of ‘Amrit Kaal’ of our faith and culture. “We do not see hatred in diversity, we consider diversity as our specialty! In this temple, we will see a glimpse of diverse faiths at each and every step,” Modi said.

He said the UAE, which till now was known for Burj Khalifa, Future Museum, Sheikh Zayed Mosque and other hi-tech buildings, has now added another cultural chapter to its identity. “I am confident that a large number of devotees will come here in the times to come. This will also increase the number of people coming to the UAE and increase the people-to-people connect between the two countries,” Modi said.

Lauding the contribution of the UAE president in making the grand temple a reality, he said, “If there is anyone who has the biggest and the most significant role in making this grand temple a reality, then it is none other than my brother His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.”