In a significant move to strengthen the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) commitment to interfaith harmony and cultural inclusivity, Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaily, head of the Department of Community Development (DCD), led a delegation of senior officials to the esteemed BAPS Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi on October 2nd. Swami Brahmavihari Das expressed his gratitude to President Al Nahyan during the visit.
Swami Brahmavihari Das warmly welcomed the distinguished delegation, providing an in-depth tour of the temple while sharing the broad vision of the project for love, peace, and harmony. The visit served as a powerful platform for discussions on the UAE’s long-standing values of peaceful coexistence, interfaith dialogue, and socio-cultural diversity, which enhance the country’s global image as a symbol of tolerance.
During the visit, Swami Brahmavihari Das expressed deep gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, for his unwavering support and visionary leadership. He also mentioned the upcoming stages of the temple’s development and its growing role in promoting mutual respect between different communities.
Dr. Al Khaily and his team lauded the temple as a symbol of unity, openly appreciating its commendable efforts to bring together people from diverse backgrounds to celebrate shared human values.
The DCD delegation acknowledged the temple’s positive contributions to fostering community solidarity and enhancing the UAE’s vision of tolerance and inclusivity. This visit by the UAE delegation marks a significant milestone in the collaborative efforts between faith-based institutions and government institutions to promote harmony and unity within the multicultural structure of the Emirates.
Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaily had previously visited the BAPS Hindu Temple. In November 2023, Dr. Al Khaily, along with Mohammed Al Baloushi and senior DCD officials, toured the temple. Before visiting the temple site, Dr. Al Khaily and Swami Brahmavihari Das, together, showered flowers on bricks laid by people from all over the world, honoring their prayers for peace and harmony.