Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a massive Hindu temple in the United Arab Emirates today, Wednesday, marking the end of his two-day visit to the Muslim country that is home to approximately 3.5 million Indians. Tens of thousands of Indians gathered yesterday at a football stadium in the capital, Abu Dhabi, chanting for Modi, who is seeking a rare third term in India’s upcoming general elections.
In this context, opponents in India argue that "since Modi took office as prime minister in 2014, the rate of religious extremism has risen, marginalizing Indian Muslims who make up 14% of the total population of 1.42 billion." The inauguration of a Hindu temple in an Islamic nation received extensive local media coverage in India, following Modi’s opening of a large temple in India last month built on the site of a mosque dating back to the 16th century, which was destroyed by a Hindu mob in 1992.
The UAE government granted India 27 acres in the capital, Abu Dhabi, and the temple was built at a cost of $95 million by the (BAPS) organization, which was established in Modi's home state of Gujarat over 100 years ago. Modi performed prayers along with religious leaders and Hindu priests, conducting rituals during his tour of the temple at a ceremony attended by members of the UAE government, Bollywood representatives, and the Indian community. Modi stated before a crowd waving the flags of the UAE and India, "This temple is a symbol of our shared heritage of humanity. It is a symbol of the mutual love between the Indian and Arab peoples, reflecting the philosophical connection between the two countries."
