BAPS Hindu Mandir Celebrates its First Anniversary by Celebrating UAE’s Year of Community
Abu Dhabi, 16th February 2025 – The BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi marked its first anniversary with a grand celebration, commemorating The Year of Community in the presence of UAE leadership, community leaders and devotees. a year of unity, service, and faith. As the patron of this event, His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance, traveled directly from Portugal to be part of this significant occasion. He was joined by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special Affairs at the Presidential Court, along with 450 dignitaries, ambassadors, government officials, and faith leaders.
Over 20 members from the royal family, ministers, and UAE leadership were present. Additionally, 300 community leaders and thousands of attendees participated in the celebration. The Mandir welcomed 11,000 visitors in addition to over 2,000 gathering for the special occasion, bringing the total attendance to the BAPS Hindu Mandir of more than 13,000 people.
The program, titled “Mandir: The Heart of Community” commenced at sharp 4:30 PM with esteemed leaders from various sectors, including community visionaries and industry pioneers arriving promptly, to celebrate the Mandir’s remarkable impact. These individuals, who played a vital role in the realization of the Mandir, gathered to honor its contribution to society. Among them were His Excellency Sanjay Sudhir, Ambassador of India to the UAE, His Excellency Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of the Department of Community Development, and His Excellency General Ahmed Saif bin Zaitoon Al Muhairi, Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police. Alongside them, numerous prominent influencers from the UAE and around the world came together to recognize the Mandir’s role in strengthening the bonds of faith, harmony, and service.
The program kicked off with a year-in-review video, highlighting the Mandir’s remarkable achievements over the past year. Next, His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan addressed the gathering, emphasizing the profound impact and significance of the Mandir in fostering unity, harmony, cultural understanding and bilateral relationships. He spoke about the Mandir’s role as a beacon of faith and service, stating, “This is a handsome Mandir that is bringing the community together.”
The program was thoughtful, minimalistic, yet elegant, unfolding across six distinct segments, each reflecting a core value upheld by the Mandir.
The first section, Global Community, was led by His Excellency Sanjay Sudhir, who had traveled directly from Delhi to attend. He highlighted the mandir’s significance in India-UAE relations, stating, “This is the most tangible form of India and UAE friendship, one that you can feel.”
The Interfaith Harmony segment featured Mufaddal Ali, a prominent businessman from the Bohra Muslim community in the UAE, who shared how the Mandir’s spirit of inclusivity inspired him to donate the largest 3D-printed wall in the region and how it continues to foster unity across diverse communities. In the Community Values segment, Zubin Kakaria reflected on how effortlessly the Mandir instills values in community, specifically highlighting how it has instilled timeless values in his children, nurturing them in an environment that builds character while uplifting society.
The Inner Strength segment was led by rising tennis star Hursh Patel, who spoke about how the Mandir has been a source of resilience in his journey, providing him with mental clarity, focus, and perseverance through its serene atmosphere and spiritual wisdom. In the Faith segment, Umesh Raja, Head of Guest Services at the BAPS Hindu Mandir and a former international inspector of schools, spoke about how the Mandir has become a sanctuary that strengthens faith—not only for devotees but for thousands of visitors who leave feeling spiritually enriched and uplifted.
The final segment, led by Swami Brahmaviharidas was titled Inner Happiness. He began by expressing heartfelt gratitude to the UAE’s leadership for their generosity—not just in providing space for the Mandir, but in welcoming it with open hearts. He extended appreciation to the volunteers for their unwavering dedication and to the donors for their selfless generosity. He highlighted the remarkable impact of the Mandir over the past year, sharing that 2.2 million visitors had walked through its doors, 1.3 million free meals had been served, and 1,000 rituals, and 20 weddings, had been performed. He spoke about how these milestones were not just numbers but a reflection of the Mandir’s deeper purpose—bringing people together, nurturing values, and spreading happiness.
Swami Brahmaviharidas highlighted how the Mandir is the heart of the community, a place that nurtures the soul and strengthens the bonds of society. He spoke about how, even after achieving everything in life, there is something one might still seek—a deeper fulfillment that cannot be bought or measured. The Mandir, he said, provides that missing element: inner happiness. By instilling values, fostering selflessness, and inspiring service, it enriches lives in a way that extends far beyond its walls.
Swami Brahmaviharidas concluded with a heartfelt reflection: Just as a baby takes its first steps at the age of one, the Mandir has only begun to walk. When we meet next year, it will be two—and it will not only walk, but it will also begin to talk, sharing its message of peace, harmony, and happiness with the world.
As the program came to a close, it left everyone with a deep sense of pride, happiness, and a renewed purpose. As they stepped out of the Pramukh Sabha Hall and looked up at the vast desert sky, perhaps, tonight, the stars looked to earth and saw something shining—not just on the mandir, but within the hearts of all those who had gathered.
