Once BAPS Hindu Mandir was ‘hanging fire’ for Modi govt: Inside story on the art of temple diplomacy – News

The Middle East’s first traditional stone temple was inaugurated in the capital of the United Arab Emirates with a grand ceremony, but the ambitious project was once an “unfinished fire” for the Indian government, a former ambassador who served in Abu Dhabi revealed .

While the historic BAPS Hindu Mandir was inaugurated on February 14, the need for such a place of worship has long been the subject of conversation among the Indian expatriate community here. Pujya Brahmaviharidas Swami of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha submitted letters in 2013 and 2014 to UAE leaders requesting land for a socio-cultural complex and a Hindu temple, envisaged by Pramukh Swami Maharaj in 1997.

In August 2015, during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first visit to the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, announced the allocation of land for a temple.

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More than a year later, when Navdeep Singh Suri took over as India’s ambassador to the UAE, advancing the temple project was one of the top priorities assigned to him by Sushma Swaraj, then India’s External Affairs Minister. .

“When I was asked to come here in December 2016, I met External Affairs Minister Ms. Sushma Swaraj. Among the various things I was informed about was her clear instruction: ‘Look Navdeep, put the temple in order. This slope. It is a commitment of the Prime Minister. The land must be acquired quickly,’” Suri told Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the grand opening of the BAPS Hindu Mandir, where she was among the special guests.

Navdeep Singh Suri. KT Photo: Ashwani Kumar

Once he took over, Suri engaged in discussions with relevant stakeholders to ensure a smooth process.

“I contacted, first, the temple committee. I began to understand what they wanted. Then I started working with local authorities. “The type of support we received from local authorities was unprecedented.”

In 2018, Sheikh Mohamed generously gifted land for the BAPS Hindu Mandir.

“The local authorities first allocated land that was not suitable. Then they gave us 13.5 hectares of land, on which we are standing. Then the question arose, at events like these, at festivals, of where people would park. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, immediately advised against opting for underground parking, as additional land would be offered. “The royal family then donated another 13.5 acres of land.”

Suri worked closely with local authorities to address any concerns related to the temple.

“Throughout the trip, there were many problems, sometimes customs and work permits, but between the energy and organization that BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha brought to the table, and particularly Brahmaviharidas Swami, and the cooperation I received from Sheikh’s office Abdullah, we were able to overcome all obstacles. Soon the temple began to take shape.”

On February 11, 2018, Modi officially launched the BAPS Hindu Mandir project at Dubai Opera. On April 20, 2019, ‘Shilanyas Vidhi’, the Vedic foundation stone laying ceremony, was performed. Suri would retire from the diplomatic service on September 30, 2019, having completed a task assigned to him.

“During the four years since I retired from government, I have come here several times and taken a look. I was here about three months ago and I never would have believed that by February 14th it would be full. So they have achieved the impossible.”

Photo: Exterior

United Arab Emirates a model for others

“When we look at this magnificent temple, one thing we must remember is how it came to be in Abu Dhabi. It reflects the open and liberal attitude of the Abu Dhabi government. The way they have adopted this idea is that it is the government’s job to promote interfaith harmony, to have a Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence who attends various community and religious events. Who would have thought that the Abraham Accords would occur and that the Abrahamic Family House would create a church, a mosque and a synagogue in the same complex?

Photo: Exterior

The United Arab Emirates is an exemplary model for other countries in the region in terms of multi-religious inclusion.

“This temple is not only a wonderful building for the Indian community, but is also a tribute to the policies that the UAE Government has adopted over the years.”

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