The United Arab Emirates will ensure the freedom of worship for Indian workers and professionals, its Ambassador to India, Ahmed Al-Banna, has said.
Speaking to The Hindu ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UAE on February 10 and 11, Dr. Al-Banna said his country was one of the first to realise the need for the religious rights of the Indian community in West Asia, and the government would continue to welcome Indian workers.
“With the arrival of Indian workers and professionals during the 1950s, we facilitated the construction of the first Hindu temple in Dubai a decade later. Soon, a Gurdwara was built between Abu Dhabi and Dubai,” he said.
He welcomed the ground-breaking ceremony for a temple at which Mr. Modi would take part during his Abu Dhabi trip.
Work to begin soon
The External Affairs Ministry announced on February 6 that Mr. Modi would preside over the ceremony, and the construction of the temple would begin shortly. Once ready, the temple will be the second Hindu place of worship in the UAE.
“The discussion to have one more temple, on the request of the Indian community, was started during Mr. Modi’s visit in 2015,” he said, pointing out that the UAE followed “modern Islam” and wanted to build cross-spectrum cooperation with India.
Sources said the previous governments in India had raised the need to have additional temples in the UAE.
Mr. Modi arrived in Amman, Jordan, on Friday at the start of the February 9-12 tour of Palestine, the UAE and Oman.
His visit to these countries is crucial in the backdrop of tensions within the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, also known as the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the economic sluggishness which has frequently affected the Indian workers in the Arab economies.
However, Dr. Al-Banna said the UAE would take measures to facilitate the continued arrival of Indian workers and professionals to the country.
Hassle-free environment
“Starting with biometrics and quick processing of applications and good conduct certificates, we have undertaken several steps that will ensure that Indian workers have a hassle-free experience in the UAE,” he said, arguing that greater security measures would not hinder the arrival of Indian workers in West Asia.
Security and counter-terror cooperation are likely to get a boost during Mr. Modi’s visit as both sides have emerged as key players in countering threats to security and regional instability. “Terrorists have no religion. Their actions can take place anywhere and at any time, and therefore our two countries need to work together on this front,” he said, urging the international community to oppose funding and hosting of terrorists anywhere.
