Abu Dhabi,NFAPost: The BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi witnessed an inspiring celebration of interfaith harmony as part of the ‘Festival of Harmony’ commemorating the opening of the first traditional Hindu temple in the region. The ‘Day of Harmony’ assembly brought together spiritual leaders from diverse backgrounds to celebrate the richness of global faiths and emphasize the importance of dialogue, understanding and collaboration.
The event was graced by leading representatives from the major religions of the world: Mahant Swami Maharaj, Spiritual Leader of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha; Rabbi David Rosen, Special Advisor to the Abrahamic Family House, Abu Dhabi; His Eminence Bishop Paolo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of the Catholic Vicariate of Southern Arabia; His Excellency Dr Abdulrahman Alzaid, Deputy Secretary-General of the Muslim World League; Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj, President of the Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha; Sri Satguru Uday Singh Ji, Spiritual Leader of the Namdhari Community; and Venerable Bhikkhu Sanghasena, Founder President & Spiritual Director of the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre. They were joined by Bawa Jain, Secretary General of the World Council of Religious Leaders. Compering the proceedings was His Excellency Omar Saif Ghobash, UAE Ambassador to the Holy See, Assistant Minister of Cultural Affairs for the UAE, and Religious Advisor to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
All participants voiced their admiration for how His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj has inspired the BAPS Hindu Mandir, a spiritual sanctuary where people of all faiths, cultures and backgrounds are welcome to learn, benefit and contribute.
Bawa Jain, Secretary General for the World Council of Religious Leaders, expressed his profound joy, stating, “Firstly, I was overwhelmed by the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Centenary Festival in Ahmedabad, then New Jersey Akshardham – a wonder of the world – was opened, and now a lotus has blossomed in the desert – the Abu Dhabi mandir.” He praised the dedication of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, emphasizing, “The great thing about BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is that once the Guru has made a resolution, it is bound to come true; it is just a matter of seeing when!” Representatives from various faiths expressed their gratitude for this remarkable endeavor. Sri Satguru Uday Singh Ji, spiritual leader of the Namdhari Sikh Community, who was joined by over a hundred Namdhari members, commended BAPS for spreading the message of Sanatan Dharma, and expressed gratitude to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his support in the creation of the Hindu Mandir.
Reflecting on the theme, Bishop Paolo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of the Catholic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, shared, “I am extremely happy to experience this mandir. Seeing this mandir, I feel that we need such a place, which takes us closer to God. By having faith in God, we can make this world more harmonious.” Dr Abdulrahman Alzaid, Deputy Secretary General of the Muslim World League, from Mecca in Saudi Arabia, emphasized the importance of coexistence and peaceful behavior. He stated, “For social and spiritual harmony, we should co-exist and behave peacefully with each other.”
Rabbi David Rosen, from Jerusalem, and Special Advisor to the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi, reminisced about his interactions with His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj and his visit to Akshardham in Delhi. He recalled his joy in witnessing the inauguration of the BAPS mandir in Chicago in 2004 and expressed his delight for the wonderful Abu Dhabi Mandir.
Brahmaviharidas Swami, who has led the creation of the BAPS Hindu Mandir under the guidance and wisdom of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, reflected on the significance of the Mandir, stating, “Mahant Swami Maharaj has written that this Mandir is more than just bricks and stones; it is an abode of love, peace, and harmony.” He expressed gratitude for the warm welcome extended to Mahant Swami Maharaj and BAPS by the UAE, describing it as a gesture of shared love and friendship.
The inauguration of the Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi signifies a landmark moment in fostering interfaith dialogue, cultural exchange, and global harmony. As the world celebrates this historic event, Abu Dhabi stands as a beacon of unity, tolerance, and understanding.
