Hinduism in the Middle East

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Hinduism in Qatar
)
Hindus in the Middle East
Total population
3,062,645
(1.6% of population)
Regions with significant populations
 United Arab Emirates855,738 (2022)
 Saudi Arabia451,347 (2020)
 Kuwait425,950 (2020)
 Qatar422,118 (2022)
 Yemen297,103 (2022)
 Oman279,488 (2022)
 Bahrain165,706 (2020)
Religions
Hinduism
Related ethnic groups
Buddhism in the Middle East, Sikhism, Christianity in the Middle East
Hinduism by country
Africa
Asia
Europe
North America
Caribbean
Oceania
South America
Full list

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]

Demographics

Distribution of Hindus among the Middle Eastern countries

  United Arab Emirates (32.2%)
  Saudi Arabia (15%)
  Kuwait (14%)
  Qatar (11%)
  Yemen (10%)
  Oman (9%)
  Bahrain (5.4%)
  Turkey (3%)
  Jordan (0.3%)
  Lebanon (0.2%)
Hinduism by country in the Middle East
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

Historical background

Indian settlers came to live in

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]

Egypt

There were about 2,700 Hindus in Egypt in 2010.[23] That number decreased to about 1124 in 2020.[24]

Oman

Main article: Hinduism in Oman
Shiva temple
in Old Muscat is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Middle East.

Muscat.[25]

Temples

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.

Shiva temple complex in Muscat (locally known as Motishwar Mandir),[26] and the Krishna temple located in Darsait.[27]

Qatar

Hindus make up 15.1% 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 Arabia

Main article: Hinduism in Saudi Arabia

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]

United Arab Emirates

Main article: Hinduism in the United Arab Emirates

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]

Temples

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]

Yemen

Main article: Hinduism in Yemen

There are about 200,000 Hindus in Yemen.[41] Many of them are from India and Nepal.[42]

Hindu temples

See also

References

  1. ^ "Hindu temples of Gulf countries: more exist than you imagined". catchnews. Retrieved December 20, 2016.
  2. ^ "International Religious Freedom Report: United Arab Emirates".
  3. ^ "Country Profiles". Archived from the original on September 27, 2007.
  4. ^ "International Religious Freedom Report: Saudi Arabia". 14 September 2007.
  5. ^ "Religions in Saudi Arabia | PEW-GRF".
  6. ^ "International Religious Freedom Report: Kuwait".
  7. ^ "International Religious Freedom Report: Qatar".
  8. ^ "CIA World FactBook: Qatar". 21 December 2021.
  9. ^ "Global Religious Futures: Yemen".
  10. ^ "Religious Freedom Nation Profile: Oman". Archived from the original on 2007-11-06.
  11. ^ "Religious Freedom Nation Profile: Oman". Archived from the original on September 30, 2007.
  12. ^ "Religions in Oman | PEW-GRF".
  13. ^ "Global Religious Landscape: Hindus". Pew Research Center. December 18, 2012.
  14. ^ "Religions in Bahrain | PEW-GRF".
  15. ^ "Religious Freedom Nation Profile: Turkey". Archived from the original on 2007-12-04.
  16. ^ "Religions in Turkey | PEW-GRF".
  17. ^ "Gloabal Religious Futures: Jordan".
  18. ^ "International Religious Freedom Report: Lebanon".
  19. ^ "Religions in Lebanon | PEW-GRF".
  20. ^ "La grotte sanctuaire de Suqutra". Archéologia (in French) (396). 26 March 2020.
  21. doi:10.3406/crai.2002.22441
    .
  22. ISBN 978-3-934106-91-8
    .
  23. ^ "India and Egypt". www.shvoong.com. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  24. ^ "International Migrant Stock 2020". un.org. United Nations, Population Division. 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  25. ^
    Middle East Journal
    , Vol. 58, Nr. 1, Winter 2004
  26. ^ "Shri Shiva Temple".
  27. ^ "Shri Krishna Temple".
  28. ^ Global Religious Landscape. Pew Forum.
  29. ^ "Population By Religion, Gender And Municipality March 2004". Qatar Statistics Authority. Archived from the original on 2013-05-18.
  30. ^ "Population structure". Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics. 31 January 2020.
  31. ^ "Population By Religion, Gender And Municipality March 2020". Qatar Statistics Authority.
  32. ISBN 9781472135674
    . Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  33. ^ "UAE´s population – by nationality". bq magazine. April 12, 2015. Archived from the original on March 21, 2017. Retrieved December 20, 2016.
  34. ^ "India is a top source and destination for world's migrants". Pew Research Center. Retrieved 2019-09-09.
  35. ^ "Hindu community in UAE supports the global initiative to pray to end pandemic - EasternEye". 2020-05-13. Retrieved 2024-02-11.
  36. ^ "Iconic Bur Dubai temple complex to close doors in January 2024". gulfnews.com. 2023-12-08. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
  37. ISBN 979-8-9859177-0-3
    .
  38. ^ "First Hindu Mandir In Abu Dhabi, UAE, To Be Built By BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha | Indo American News". www.indoamerican-news.com. Retrieved 2018-05-15.
  39. ^ "First Hindu Temple's Foundation Ceremony Laying Ceremony in Abu Dhabi". Gulf News.
  40. ^ "PM Modi performs Aarti at the BAPS Mandir, the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi". 2024-02-14.
  41. ^ "Religions in Yemen".
  42. ^ "Religious Beliefs In Yemen". 25 April 2017.

External links

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