Total population | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3,062,645 (1.6% of population) | ||||||||||||
Regions with significant populations | ||||||||||||
United Arab Emirates | 855,738 (2022) | |||||||||||
Saudi Arabia | 451,347 (2020) | |||||||||||
Kuwait | 425,950 (2020) | |||||||||||
Qatar | 422,118 (2022) | |||||||||||
Yemen | 297,103 (2022) | |||||||||||
Oman | 279,488 (2022) | |||||||||||
Bahrain | 165,706 (2020) | |||||||||||
Religions | ||||||||||||
Hinduism | ||||||||||||
Related ethnic groups | ||||||||||||
Buddhism in the Middle East, Sikhism, Christianity in the Middle East
|
Hinduism has been found in the Middle East since the early 16th century. Millions of members of the Indian diaspora, of different religions, reside and work in Arab states of the Persian Gulf; many of them are Hindu. Many came due to the migration of Indians and Nepalese expatriates and employees to the area around the Persian Gulf.
Hindu temples have been built in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, and Oman. [1]
Country | Population (2020E) | % of Hindus | Hindu total |
---|---|---|---|
United Arab Emirates | 9,869,000 | 10% [2] [3] | 986,900 |
Saudi Arabia | 34,719,000 | 1.3% [4] [5] | 451,347 |
Kuwait | 4,259,500 | 10% [6] | 425,950 |
Qatar | 2,113,000 | 15.9% [7] [8] | 335,967 |
Yemen | 29,710,300 | 1% [9] | 297,103 |
Oman | 5,081,600 | 5.5% [10] [11] [12] | 279,488 |
Bahrain | 1,690,900 | 9.8% [13] [14] | 165,708 |
Turkey | 84,339,067 | 0.1% [15] [16] | 84,340 |
Jordan | 10,185,500 | 0.1% [17] | 10,186 |
Lebanon | 6,830,600 | 0.1% [18] [19] | 6,830 |
Total | 197,438,267 | 1.6 | 3,062,645 |
Indian settlers came to live in Oman, creating settlements and practicing Hinduism. Arab sailors were using the southwest monsoon winds to trade with western Indian ports before the first century CE. An Arab army conquered Sindh in 711 and Arab traders settled in Kerala in the 6th century. In the opposite direction, medieval Gujaratis, Kutchis, and other Indians traded extensively with Arab and Somali ports, including Hormuz, Salalah, Socotra, Mogadishu, Merca, Barawa, Hobyo, Muscat and Aden. Arab merchants were the dominant carriers of Indian Ocean trade until the Portuguese forcibly supplanted them at the end of the 15th century. Indo-Arabian links were renewed under the British Empire, when many Indians serving in the army or civil service were stationed in Arab lands such as Sudan.[ citation needed ] The current wave of Indian immigration to the Arab states of the Persian Gulf dates roughly to the 1960s. Hinduism is also one of the fastest growing religions in the Middle East, mainly due to immigration from the Indian Subcontinent.[ citation needed ]
In 2001, Belgian speleologists discovered a large number of inscriptions, drawings, and archaeological objects on the Socotra island in Yemen [20] [21] left by sailors who visited the island from the 1st century BC to 6th century AD. Most of the texts found were written in the Indian Brahmi script. [22]
There were about 2,700 Hindus in Egypt in 2010. [23] That number decreased to about 1535 in 2020. [24]
Oman has an immigrant Hindu minority. The number of Hindus has declined in the 20th century although it is now stable. Hinduism first came to Muscat in 1507 from Kutch. The original Hindus spoke Kutchi. By the early 19th century there were at least 4,000 Hindus in Oman, all of the intermediate merchant caste. By 1900, their numbers had plummeted to 300. In 1895, the Hindu colony in Muscat came under attack by the Ibadhis. By the time of independence, only a few dozen Hindus remained in Oman. The historical Hindu Quarters of al-Waljat and al-Banyan are no longer occupied by Hindus. The most prominent immigrant Hindus, are Visoomal Damodar Gandhi (Aulad Kara), Khimji Ramdas, Dhanji Morarji, Ratansi Purushottam and Purushottam Toprani. The only Hindu crematorium is located in Sohar, northwest of Muscat. [25]
Hindu temples once located in Ma'bad al Banyan and Bayt al Pir no longer exist after the area's redevelopment in the mid-1970s. [25] The only active Hindu temples today are the Shiva temple complex in Muscat (locally known as Motishwar Mandir), [26] and the Krishna temple located in Darsait. [27]
Hindus make up 15.9% of Qatar. There are an estimated 422,118 Hindus in the country. [28] [29] Many Hindus are from South and Southeast Asia. [30] [31]
Saudi authorities interpret Hindu icons as idols, and idol worship is strongly condemned in Sunni Islam. This is likely the foundation for the stringent position of Saudi authorities when it comes to idol-worshipping religious practice. [32]
South Asians in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) constitute the largest ethnic group in the country. [33] Over 2 million Indian migrants (mostly from the southern Indian states of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Coastal Karnataka and Tamil Nadu) are estimated to be living in the UAE, constituting 28% of the total population of the Emirates as of 2017. [34] A majority of Indians live in the three largest cities of the UAE — Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. From the estimated 2 million migrants, 1 million are from Kerala and 450,000 from Tamil Nadu, thus constituting a majority of the Indian community in the UAE. The population of Indian migrants in the UAE had grown from 170,000 in 1975 to an estimated value of 750,000 in 1999. By 2009, this value had grown to an estimated value of 2 million. A majority of Indians in the UAE (approximately 50%—883,313 in 2011) are from the South Indian state of Kerala, followed by migrants from Tamil Nadu. The majority of Indian migrants to UAE are Muslim (50%), followed by Christian (25%) and Hindu (25%). Estimated Hindu population in UAE is between 6-10%. [35]
In 1958, permission were given to build the Hindu Temple, Dubai in Bur Dubai in a complex that included Shiva Mandir, Krishna Mandir, and Gurudwara. In January 2024, a new Hindu Temple, Dubai opened in Jebel Ali and the existing Shiva Mandir and Gurudwara were moved to this new location. Krishan Mandir is still housed in the original complex in Bur Dubai. [36]
Majority of Hindus living in UAE practice their religion within their homes. [37] The new temple, BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi, had its foundation stone laying ceremony in April, 2019. [38] [39] The inauguration ceremony of the temple took place on 14 February 2024. [40]
There are about 200,000 Hindus in Yemen. [41] Many of them are from India and Nepal. [42]
The United Arab Emirates (UAE), or simply the Emirates, is a country in West Asia, in the Middle East. Located at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula, it shares borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia; as well as maritime borders in the Persian Gulf with Qatar and Iran. The United Arab Emirates is an elective monarchy formed from a federation of seven emirates. As of 2023, the UAE has an estimated population of 9.97 million. Emirati citizens are estimated to form 11.6% of the population; the remaining residents are expatriates, the majority of whom are South Asian. Islam is the official religion and Arabic is the official language. Abu Dhabi is the country's capital, while Dubai, the most populous city, is an international hub.
The flag of the United Arab Emirates contains the Pan-Arab colors red, green, white, and black. It was designed in 1971 by Abdullah Mohammed Al Maainah, who was 19 years old at that time, and was adopted on 2 December 1971 after winning a nationwide flag design contest. The main theme of the flag's four colors is the sovereignty and unity of the Arab states.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, also known as Zayed the Great or Zayed the First was the Sheikh of Abu Dhabi from 1855 to his death in 1909. He was the grandfather and namesake of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan, founder of the United Arab Emirates.
Hindus are the third largest Religious group in the United Arab Emirates and constitute around 6.6%-15% of the population in the nation. Hinduism is followed mainly by the significant Nepali and Indian population in the United Arab Emirates.
Hinduism was introduced to Yemen by immigrant Indian and Nepalese workers. Hinduism in Yemen largely goes under the radar, and is only practiced by small congregations scattered around the country. An estimated 150,000 Hindus resided in Yemen in 2010. That number increased to 202,700 in 2020.
Hinduism is the fourth-largest religion in the United States, comprising 1% of the population, the same as Buddhism and Islam. The majority of American Hindus are immigrants, mainly from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, with a minority from Bhutan, Pakistan, Afghanistan and other countries.
The earliest evidence of Hinduism in Tanzania is from the 1st millennium AD when there was trade between East Africa and Indian subcontinent. Most of these traders came from Gujarat, Deccan and the Chola empire. Archaeological evidence of small Hindu settlements have been found in Zanzibar and parts of Swahili coast, Zimbabwe and Madagascar.
The history of the Jews in the United Arab Emirates describes the historical and modern presence of Jews over the millennia in the Middle East and the recorded meetings with Jewish communities in areas that are today in the geographic territories of the United Arab Emirates.
The Dubai Hindu Temple is a place of worship for Hindus in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The temple caters to the large Hindu community in the United Arab Emirates. The temple complex, initially established in 1958 in Bur Dubai, comprised the Shiva Mandir, Krishna Mandir, and Gurudwara.
Indians in the United Arab Emirates constitute the largest part of the population of the country. Over 3,860,000 Indian expats are estimated to be living in the UAE, which is over 38 percent of the total population of the UAE and the fourth highest number of overseas Indian people in the world, after the United States, Saudi Arabia and Nepal. Indian contact with the emirates that now constitute the UAE dates back several centuries, as a result of trade and commerce between the emirates and India. The UAE has experienced a tremendous increase in the population of resident Indians who initially migrated to the country as a result of opportunities in petroleum. Now, Indians are key to the UAE's construction, retail, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing and transport sectors. A sizeable minority of Indian migrants are involved in professional services and entrepreneurship. Relations between India and the UAE have traditionally been very friendly.
According to the 2005 census, Christians accounted for 9 percent of the total population of the United Arab Emirates; estimates in 2010 suggested a figure of 12.6%.
India–United Arab Emirates relations are the bilateral relations that exist between the Republic of India and the United Arab Emirates. Since 3000 B.C., India and the UAE, including its precursor emirates, had close relations with ancient trade networks. Sumerians traded with Meluhha, Magan, and Dilmun (Bahrain), connecting through the UAE. Maritime routes facilitated Arab trade with India for silk, spices, gold, and porcelain. Sumerians traded with Meluhha, Magan, and Dilmun (Bahrain), connecting through the UAE. Maritime routes facilitated Arab trade with India for silk, spices, gold, and porcelain. Post-1971, India-UAE relations strengthened politically, economically, and culturally.
Islam is the majority and official religion in the United Arab Emirates, professed by approximately 76% of the population.The Al Nahyan and Al Maktoum ruling families adhere to Sunni Islam of Maliki school of jurisprudence. Many followers Hanbali school of Sunni Islam are found in Sharjah, Umm al-Quwain, Ras al-Khaimah and Ajman. Their followers include the Al Qasimi ruling family. Other religions represented in the country including Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrians, Druze, Baha'i, Judaism, and Sikhism are practiced by non-nationals.
The community of Indians in Oman includes Indian expatriates in Oman, as well as Omani citizens of Indian origin or descent.
The BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi in the UAE, is a traditional Hindu mandir built by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. Inspired by Pramukh Swami Maharaj (1921–2016) and consecrated by Mahant Swami Maharaj on 14 February 2024, this is the first traditional Hindu mandir in Abu Dhabi.
Motishwar Mandir is a Shiva temple complex located near the Al Alam Palace in the Muttrah area of Old Muscat, Oman. It is one of the oldest Hindu temples in the Middle East region. The temple celebrates numerous Hindu festivals such as Vasant Panchmi, Ramnavmi, Hanuman Jayanti, Shravan and Ganesh Chaturthi. Over 20,000 Hindus visit the temple during Maha Shivaratri.
Shrinathji Temple is a heritage Hindu temple in Manama established in the year 1817. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shrinathji, a form of Krishna, manifested as a seven-year-old child. The temple is located in the Bahrain's capital city of Manama.
Hinduism is the second-largest religion in Oman, practised by 5.5% of its population.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the United Arab Emirates refers to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The church's first self-standing meetinghouse in the Middle East was dedicated in Abu Dhabi in 2013. As of 2021, there are four meetinghouses and six congregations. In April 2020, the intent to construct a temple in Dubai was announced.
Events in the year 2024 in the United Arab Emirates.