Work on UAE’s first traditional Hindu temple under scrutiny – News

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed hails remarkable progress in construction of the temple, which will open to the public next year

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, recently met with Swami Brahmawi Haridas, head of BAPS Hindu temples, to review progress in the construction of traditional sandstone temples .

Other senior representatives of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, an organization that builds Hindu temples in Abu Dhabi, were also present during the meeting at Sheikh Abdullah’s palace.

Sanstha said in a statement that during the hour-long meeting, the discussions covered a variety of key international issues and current events, “capturing the essence of their shared values ​​and emphasizing the urgent need to promote harmony and foster tolerance and inclusion.” . promote global peace”.

On behalf of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj and BAPS around the world, Swami Brahmavi Haridas expresses his gratitude to Sheikh Abdullah for personally encouraging and overseeing the development of the temple .

Sheikh Abdullah specifically inquired about the seven minarets, the carvings of flora and fauna, and the size and scale of the temple, Sanstha said. The Minister is said to be impressed by the remarkable progress made in the construction of the temple, which will be opened to the public next year.

Sheikh Abdullah pointed out, “This project is very special. The message of global harmony it conveys should not end there. It should not be limited to civilization carvings, but should spread across time and space to all parts of the world.”

Omar Saif Ghobash, Assistant Minister of Culture and Public Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and staff of the minister’s office attended the meeting.

The region’s first traditional sandstone Hindu temple is taking shape on the sprawling 27-acre site. While pink sandstone from the Indian state of Rajasthan is used for the exterior, Italian marble will be used on the interior. Consisting of more than 25,000 stones, the temple was constructed according to the Hindu “Shilpa Shastras” (ancient Indian architecture). Stories from Arabian, Mayan, Greek and other cultures that encourage peace, tolerance and harmony are inscribed into the stone of the facade.