PM’s address during inauguration of BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, UAE
Speaker: Narendra Modi
Date: 14 Feb, 2024

Shri Swami Narayan Jai Dev, His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Al Mubarak, the respected Mahant Swami Ji Maharaj, distinguished guests from Bharat, the UAE, and various countries worldwide, and my brothers and sisters participating in this event from every corner of the globe! Today, the United Arab Emirates has etched a new golden chapter in human history. A grand and divine temple is being inaugurated in Abu Dhabi, marking the culmination of years of hard work and fulfilling a long-standing dream. The blessings of Lord Swami Narayan are intertwined with this momentous occasion. Wherever Pramukh Swami may be in the divine realm, his soul will surely rejoice. My relationship with Pujya Pramukh Swamiji was akin to that of a father and son. I had the privilege of being in his company and receiving paternal affection for a significant part of my life. I continued to receive his guidance even during my tenure as the Chief Minister and Prime Minister. Remarkably, during the construction of Akshardham in Delhi, I was present at the foundation stone laying ceremony at his behest, long before my political career began. Just as he had fulfilled his Guru’s wish by establishing a sacred temple on the banks of the Yamuna, embodying the ideal of a devoted disciple, today, with the same sense of discipleship, I stand before you, honoured to have helped realize Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s dream. Furthermore, today also marks the auspicious festival of Basant Panchami and the birth anniversary of revered Shastri Ji Maharaj. Basant Panchami celebrates Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of human intelligence and conscience. It is this intelligence that enables us to implement ideals such as cooperation, harmony, and unity in life. I believe this temple will usher in a brighter future for humanity, symbolising communal harmony and global unity for the world. Brothers & Sisters, The presence of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Al Mubarak, UAE’s Minister of Tolerance, is particularly notable today. I am grateful to him for articulating his sentiments, presenting his ideas, and eloquently describing them in his own words to bolster our aspirations. Friends, The commendable role played by the UAE government in the construction of this temple cannot be overstated. However, if anyone deserves the greatest credit for realizing the vision of this magnificent temple, it is my brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed. I am fully aware of how wholeheartedly the entire UAE government, under the leadership of President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, has fulfilled the aspirations of crores of Indians. He has not only endeared himself to the hearts of 140 crore Indians but has also played a pivotal role in transforming the temple dream of Pramukh Swamiji into reality. It is my greatest fortune to have been associated with this project from its inception to its fruition, witnessing firsthand the immense generosity of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed. I extend my endless gratitude to him. I wish his stature and the depth of the Bharat-UAE relationship is acknowledged not only by the people of the UAE and Bharat but also by the entire world. I recall my visit to the UAE in 2015 when I discussed the concept of this temple with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed. Upon presenting the aspirations of the Indian people to him, he promptly and enthusiastically embraced my proposal. He swiftly allocated a vast tract of land for the temple, demonstrating his unwavering support. Moreover, another issue related to the temple was resolved. During my visit to the UAE in 2018, the local saints, as mentioned by Brahmavihari Swami Ji, presented two temple models. One model depicted a grand temple inspired by ancient Vedic styles of Bharat, while the other was a simpler design devoid of Hindu religious symbols on the exterior. The saints said that the design approved by the UAE government would then be carried forward. Upon deliberating on this matter with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, his stance was unequivocal. He asserted that temples in Abu Dhabi should be constructed in all their splendour and grandeur. He not only envisioned a temple but also envisioned it to be a true embodiment of temple architecture. Friends, This is not a trivial matter; it is a significant undertaking. It is not just about constructing a temple here; it is about ensuring that it embodies the essence of a true temple. This spirit of brotherhood with Bharat is indeed our greatest asset. The magnificence of the temple we behold here is a testament to the grand vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed. Until now, the UAE was renowned for landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa, the Future Museum, the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, and other cutting-edge structures. Now, another cultural milestone has been added to its identity. I am confident that a substantial number of devotees will visit here in the future, consequently boosting the influx of visitors to the UAE and enhancing people-to-people connections. On behalf of crores of Indians residing across Bharat and the world, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to President His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and the UAE Government. I urge all of you to join me in giving a standing ovation to the President of the UAE from here. Thank you very much. I also extend my heartfelt gratitude to the people of the UAE for their cooperation. Friends, The friendship between Bharat and the UAE is regarded worldwide as a model of mutual trust and collaboration. Particularly in recent years, our relations have reached unprecedented heights. However, Bharat does not view these relations solely within the contemporary context. For us, the foundation of these ties stretches back thousands of years. Centuries ago, the Arab world served as a crucial trade bridge between Bharat and Europe. For the traders of Gujarat, my home state, the Arab world was the primary hub of trade relations, tracing back to our ancestors. It is from this intersection of civilizations that new opportunities arise, giving birth to new avenues of art, literature, and culture. Hence, the significance of this temple constructed in Abu Dhabi cannot be overstated. This temple injects fresh cultural vigour into our ancient ties. Friends, The grand temple in Abu Dhabi is not merely a place of worship; it is a symbol of humanity’s shared heritage. It embodies the mutual affection between the peoples of Bharat and Arabia and reflects the spiritual dimension of Bharat-UAE relations. I commend the BAPS organization and its members for this remarkable achievement. I express my admiration for the devotees of Hari. Temples have been erected worldwide by the members of the BAPS organization, under the guidance of our revered sages. The meticulous attention to Vedic intricacies in these temples is matched by a modern outlook. The Swaminarayan Sanyas tradition exemplifies how one can embrace the modern world while adhering to ancient principles. Everyone can learn valuable lessons from your organizational prowess, systemic efficiency, and sensitivity towards each devotee. All of this is a manifestation of Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s grace. I offer my humble obeisance to Bhagwan Swaminarayan on this momentous occasion. Congratulations to all of you and to all the devotees in the country and abroad. Friends, This is the time of Amrit Kaal for Bharat, which also marks a golden era for our faith and culture. Just last month, the age-old dream of a magnificent Ram temple in Ayodhya was fulfilled. Ramlala now rests in His abode, and the love and emotion this evokes continue to reverberate throughout Bharat and among every Indian. And today, my dear friend Brahmavihari Swami mentioned that Modi ji is the foremost priest. I cannot say whether I possess the qualifications to be a temple priest, but I take pride in being a devotee of Bharat Maa. Every moment of the time bestowed upon me and every particle of my body gifted by the Divine is devoted solely to Maa Bharati. The 140 crore countrymen are my revered deities. Friends, The profound joy we experienced in Ayodhya has been further enriched by the wave of felicity we are witnessing in Abu Dhabi today. I consider myself fortunate to have witnessed the majestic Shri Ram temple first in Ayodhya and now this temple in Abu Dhabi. Friends, Our Vedas proclaim ‘Ekam Sat Vipra Bahuda Vadanti,’ meaning scholars interpret the same God, the same truth, in various ways. This philosophy is ingrained in the core consciousness of Bharat. Hence, we not only embrace everyone by nature but also extend a warm welcome to all. We perceive diversity not as a source of division but as our unique strength. This belief bolsters our confidence in the face of global conflicts and challenges, fortifying our confidence in humanity. At every step in this temple, you will witness a glimpse of confidence in diversity. Alongside Hindu iconography, Egyptian hieroglyphs and narratives from the Bible and Quran adorn the temple walls. As soon as I entered the temple, the Wall of Harmony caught my eye, constructed by our Bohra Muslim community. Subsequently, a remarkable 3D experience of the temple was showcased, initiated by the Parsi community. Here, our Sikh brothers and sisters have undertaken the responsibility of langar. People from all faiths have contributed to the temple’s construction. It is also noteworthy that the seven pillars or minarets of the temple symbolise the seven emirates of the UAE. This spirit reflects the essence of the Indian people, as wherever we traverse, we respect and assimilate the culture and values of the place. It is heartening to witness this same sense of respect for all embodied in the life of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed. My brother, my friend Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, also harbours a vision that we are all brothers. He erected the House of Abrahamic Family in Abu Dhabi, which encompasses a mosque, a church, and a synagogue. And now, this temple of Bhagwan Swami Narayan in Abu Dhabi is providing a new dimension to the concept of unity in diversity. Friends, Today, from this grand and sacred location, I am pleased to share another piece of good news. This morning, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE, announced the donation of land to construct a hospital for Indian workers in Dubai. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to him and to my brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed. Friends, Our Vedas impart the wisdom that “समानो मंत्र: समिति: समानी, समानम् मनः सह चित्तम् एषाम्” (Samano Mantra Samitih Samani, Samanam Manah Saha Chittam Esham), meaning our thoughts should be united, our minds connected, and our resolutions aligned. This call for human unity forms the fundamental essence of our spirituality. Our temples serve as hubs for these teachings and resolutions. In these temples we declare in one voice that there should be goodwill among the living beings, there should be welfare of the world, reciting the verses of the Vedas. They teach us the principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” – the whole earth is our family. Guided by this principle, Bharat is dedicated to promoting global peace. This time under Bharat’s presidency, the G-20 countries have further strengthened and taken forward the resolve of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’. Our endeavours are exemplified by campaigns such as ‘One Sun, One World, One Grid’. With the spirit of सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः सर्वे सन्तु निरामया (Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinaha: Sarve Santu Niramaya), India is also working towards the mission of ‘One Earth, One Health’. Our culture and faith inspire us to work for global welfare. Bharat is working in this direction on the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas. I am confident that the humanitarian vision embodied by the Abu Dhabi temple will invigorate our resolutions and bring them to fruition. With this, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all present. I dedicate this grand temple to humanity as a whole. I offer my obeisance to respected Mahant Swami ji and pay homage to respected Pramukh Ji Swami, and wishing “Jai Shri Swami Narayan” to all the devotees.