UAE: "A Huge Leap from Medieval Ways"

by Sara Al Nuaimi
October 14, 2015 at 5:00 am

https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/6681/uae-a-huge-leap-from-medieval-ways

The remarkable crown prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, donated land for the Hindu temple, to foster cultural and religious tolerance, and bring diversity to Abu Dhabi. The temple also fit newly passed UAE legislation establishing religious freedom.
As the prince explained, a "civilized, advanced" Abu Dhabi with sustainable development requires "concerted efforts from all sectors of the community" -- Hindus included.
"This is a huge leap from medieval ways of thinking. Humanity is against aggression and stopping others from practicing their faith." — Saleh Al Turigee of Saudi Arabia, who has 143,000 Twitter followers.
Positive voices from the UAE and elsewhere in the Middle East, especially Egypt, supported the temple. It shows that the non-extremist segment not only exists, but is ready to take on the extremists.
"Religion is for Allah only. All Imams agree that building temples for idol worshipping is a blasphemy." — Waseem Yousef, imam of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi. He quickly found his television show canceled.

A tweet by India's Prime Minister Modi on Aug. 16, during his visit to Abu Dhabi, prompted a unique cultural debate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Announcing to his 14.9 million followers that the UAE government had allotted land for a Hindu temple, he prompted a discussion on Twitter that generated over 25,000 tweets in the Arabic language alone (a very large number for public opinion in the UAE and other Arabian monarchies), coverage on the BBC, and more.

It was the remarkable crown prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who donated land for the temple; he did so to foster cultural and religious tolerance and fit his longstanding effort to bring diversity to Abu Dhabi (another notable example was establishing the Guggenheim Museum). As the prince explained, a "civilized, advanced" Abu Dhabi with sustainable development requires "concerted efforts from all sectors of the community" -- Hindus included. The temple also fit newly passed UAE legislation establishing religious freedom.

But the prospect of a state-supported Hindu temple immediately provoked an uproar, beginning with the Twitter hashtag (in Arabic) #BuildingAHinduTempleInAbuDhabi. The imam of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi (where super-star Rihanna controversially had modeled her Arabian outfit), Waseem Yousef, kicked off the debate that same day with a tweet asserting that "Religion is for Allah only. All Imams agree that building temples for idol worshipping is a blasphemy."

"Religion is for Allah only. All Imams agree that building temples for idol worshipping is a blasphemy." — Waseem Yousef

"If you truly respect religions, you'd keep these scumbags out of the mosques of Alla.h" — Ahmad Aloudah

The popular UAE response to Youssef's tweet came fast and hard: #StopWassim'sTVShow. And, indeed, he quickly found his television show interpreting dreams canceled.

News of the Hindu temple then crossed over to nearby countries, especially Saudi Arabia, where a surge of anti-Hindu sentiments smeared the crown prince, the UAE government, and all Emiratis.

Some anti-Hindu tweets cited the Prophet Muhammad breaking idols in Mecca. Others focused on the persecution of Muslims in Burma where Buddhists (not Hindus) destroyed a historic mosque and massacred Muslims.

"1400 years ago the prophet purified Arabia from idol worshipping. Now it returns to Abu Dhabi." — Mshari Al-Shammari

Other Saudis were anti-freedom and progress. They apparently believe it collides with Islamic values, and refuse to consider the UAE as a model for balancing the two:

"They claim freedom, build churches and temples, but they're actually taking bad habits from the West and calling it progress." — @zeiid2

Some of the tweets attacked Abu Dhabi's crown prince:

"Only Muslims are worthy of your love and compassion." — @Alyahyamo7ammad

The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) also weighed in:

"We are destroying the temples of idol worshippers, and the UAE is calling Muslims to follow the infidels." — @Asdia1Y

Surprisingly, this was tweeted from a Canadian Muslim, referring to the Hindu temple:

"Thank god for ISIS, which will blow it up soon." — Angham Mohammad Ali

The response, however, was not one sided. A tweet quickly emerged from Saudi Arabia under a trending hashtag #LiberalRational:

"Idol worshipping never left Mecca. Mecca is the idol that you worship." — @azoozazeez1

Other twitter users from Saudi Arabia also followed suit, including the writer and public figure Saleh Al Turigee, who has 143,000 followers on Twitter.

"This is a huge leap from medieval ways of thinking. Humanity is against aggression and stopping others from practicing their faith." — Saleh Al Turigee

Positive voices from the UAE and elsewhere in the Middle East, especially Egypt, supported the temple; they pushed it forth as a symbol of love, freedom, knowledge, innovation, and humanity.

"India: A Sikh man builds a mosque for his Muslim childhood friend. Extremists will never understand this." — @mo7d_alhajri

"Religious freedom is a right for everyone, just as it is a right for you to have a mosque in non-Muslim countries" — F. K. Habeeb

"Cow-worshippers produced the following people, and we produced ISIS, Al-Qaeda and Hezbollah." — Karim Habsi, Oman.

"UAE says Islam is a religion of humanity. ISIS says Islam is a religion of blood." — Fatima Naoot, Egypt (492K followers/writer)

Some tweets, both pro- and anti-temple, showed a sense of humor:

"Let's just respect their Holy Cow and stop eating Kebabs." "The cows would be happy." — @alabood9

"We are on our way to Abu Dhabi" — @33Abomamed

The Hindu temple issue reveals with special clarity the divide between Muslim extremists (who perceive the "Other" as an infidel) and Muslim non-extremists (who follow a spirit of openness, peace, and coexistence with different cultures in modern times). More importantly, it shows that a non-extremist segment not only exists, but is ready to take on the extremists. From Abu Dhabi's crown prince, to the city's population, to the larger body of Arabic-language Twitter activists, the non-extremists can stand up to -- and sometimes defeat -- the ISIS crowd.

As a UAE national who lives in Abu Dhabi, where 80% of the residents come from 161 foreign nationalities, I believe the people are looking forward to the openness represented by the Hindu temple. We look forward to its opening and see this as a welcome, significant step towards the defeat of the extremists in our midst.

Sara Al Nuaimi is an Emirati lady, a Muslim and a cultural activist based in Abu Dhabi.

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Related Topics: Persian Gulf

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Comment on this item

29 Reader Comments

KAH • Oct 16, 2015 at 23:25

It's honestly refreshing to see some sliver of good news come out of this area of the world. I hope the building of a Hindu temple goes through without any trouble. Maybe after that they could even build a Jewish synagogue.

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Percy Bauri • Oct 16, 2015 at 20:31

If Islamic people have religious freedom to build mosques in India since 1300 as well as in the Western world, then Islam should be tolerant to have a Temple in UAE. Also be tolerant to have churches and other religious institutions in Muslim countries to promote tolerance and acceptance of all religions on the same footing.

It should be noted that religious freedom is a birth right for every human being in this FREE WORLD OF OURS irrespective of what religious background we are born of.

Percy

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John L • Oct 16, 2015 at 07:14

A truly great and brave man, for he will face the hatred of the radicals. A Prince not only in name, but in deeds. Let us hope many will follow his example. I grew up in a Catholic environment, and as a child, I detested the discrimination toward people of other faiths as followers of false religion, and for that reason, rejected that cult altogether as soon as I grew up.

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qwester • Oct 15, 2015 at 17:02

No, this is the best of news. We must protect these brave people from the radicals who plot constantly to externalize a subconscious self-hate against Allah into an induced murderous rage against valuable, trusting members of society.

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George • Oct 15, 2015 at 09:19

To hear something postive from the Arab world.
Sadly it does not seem to be very often that one hears anything that is not hate, death or violence from that part of the world.
Blessings for the Crown Prince and for a peaceful future.

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dm • Oct 15, 2015 at 01:47

An interesting idea, looks to be an advertising stunt perpetrated on a Royal Family Member for a political agenda ! Threats to blow up the anticipated temple is already on the web comments. Israelis are being abused, knifed and attacked (in Israel) for praying in their own temples, which the Muslims claim are theirs.

Even if people have the concept that Muslims can live side by side with other religions, they are quickly learning that there is a good chance they could have got it wrong. As the Imams are blatantly telling the world that ALL other RELIGIONS and LAWS are wrong and not applicable to them, physically trampling on other countries flags, laws and people can only be the start of anarchy.

Many muslims verbalize they are not involved in this world domination spree, and only the terrorist groups are responsible. It will be interesting to see the level of public response to the anticipated temple to understand that even the peaceful westernised Muslims maybe adopting in their minds a world domination scenario.

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Sara Al Nuaimi

dm • Oct 17, 2015 at 07:38

Conspiracy thinking is the main problem in Muslim cultures. Conspiracy thinking by nature is destructive, because it isolates people and cuts them off from the larger world, very similar to communism. However, change is inevitable and constructive dialogue is the way out.

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jacob t chachkes,m.d. • Oct 14, 2015 at 20:28

Would a Christian church or a Jewish synagogue or... meet similar acceptance?
Doesn't the Qur'an call for the elimination of ALL non-Muslims???

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Sara Al Nuaimi

jacob t chachkes,m.d. • Oct 17, 2015 at 08:21

The first Christian church in Abu Dhabi was built in 1962. There are several churches in the UAE. This year a church was built for the Armenian population who live here: http://www.thenational.ae/uae/heritage/new-church-a-haven-for-abu-dhabis-armenian-population

In response to the Quran, I'm not a theologian to answer your question, but I can tell you, that as a Muslim, I certainly don't live my life with the Quran bound across my face. Books are meant to be closed and put away, life is meant to be lived. Besides, don't believe everything you read on the paper. Therefore I suggest you point your question directly to a Muslim and ask him/her, "do you believe in the elimination of ALL non-Muslims". You'll recognise that tolerance/openness is a relative and personal human quality that strives on leadership. And It would start a much livelier debate!

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Jetta J. Cooper • Oct 14, 2015 at 18:43

I did not think I would ever live long enough to see this. Perhaps in 20 years (when I shall be100) we shall see a synagogue there.

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Brien • Oct 14, 2015 at 18:07

This would be nice as an example that there may be light at the end of the tunnel, when it is just a small light bulb in a closed mine shaft.

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Carl • Oct 14, 2015 at 17:18

It is only a matter of time until a religious radical assassinates the Prince. These people live a violent existence and are easily riled up by their religious leaders.

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Carl • Oct 16, 2015 at 01:00

I echo your comments Carl. Was taken aback reading the list of comments of all the happy people who have taken this as a first step to the possibilities of a church, temple etc., in a Muslim country. Seems to be a serious political agenda to gain popularity and votes by one half of the perceived "two brave men". I feel sad for the Prince who has been drawn into this scenario.

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Sara Al Nuaimi

Carl • Oct 17, 2015 at 08:47

There's no place for radical religious leaders in the UAE. The Imam got carried away with his medieval ways of thinking, he's not at all powerful. If anything people who follow his lead are learning from his mistakes. He's still an active member of the religious community in Abu Dhabi and actively supports the nation state identity as a priority in our progress.

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Ron Thompson • Oct 14, 2015 at 13:25

"Humanity is against aggression and stopping others from practicing their faith." — Saleh Al Turigee

The problem with the above fine sentiment is, what if 'practicing their faith', for many Muslims, with excellent authority for their actions from the Koran and the Hadith, is 'stopping others from practicing their faith'?

I hope the actions of Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan are a harbinger of better times to come, but I remain skeptical that Good People can be Good Muslims at the same time.

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Edward Paul Campbell • Oct 14, 2015 at 12:23

God Bless Canada, in its infinite wisdom and cultural generosity -- which has allowed so many thousands of extremists, Salafists, and sicko supporters of Islamic State like Angham Mohammad Ali, above, across its borders, into the bosom of a democratic and tolerant tradition, and benevolent inclusiveness. The sooner fascist thugs like the above tweeter are kicked out, the sooner Canada will regain its self respect.

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Shelley • Oct 14, 2015 at 10:44

I can't wait until a synagogue is built in Abu Dhabi!!! That will really show religious tolerance.

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Linda Messersmith • Oct 14, 2015 at 10:34

There is only one Name under Heaven that all counterfeit religions cannot tolerate. The same authorship of all counterfeit religions has little fear of each other. All deception comes from the same source and thus all who follow are lost. In Islam, the attributes of who they follow is visible and easy to distinguish. One can find all or part of these 'tells' in any false religion. Murder, Suicide, Pedophilia, Immorality, Abuse, Hatred, Idolatry, Antisemitism, Worship of Man, Self, Money, Humanism. The Absence of Christ, Or truth of Who He really Is, or the Absolute Power of His Blood for the Redemption of Man. The true God of Heaven is Light, Life and in Him there is no darkness at all. False religion will display the opposite of His attributes. Know your enemy or be deceived. Currently a young man is facing death in this country for following the Name Above Every Name. Jesus Christ--Still very 'Mid Evil"

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Sara Al Nuaimi

Linda Messersmith • Oct 17, 2015 at 08:53

There are several churches in the UAE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_the_United_Arab_Emirates

I think you meant Saudi Arabia, which is a different country all together.

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Elisheva • Oct 14, 2015 at 09:09

I have my doubts about about diversity in the Arab world. Here in Israel we are witnessing the murder of Jews by Muslims. Where is the public outcry in the world. The UN is non-functional. We need to take much bigger steps to eradicate hate. It seems like too little and too late to stem the tide of hatred that is quickly spreading like a wildfire.

This is how a Imam Talks:
http://www.jihadwatch.org/2015/10/muslim-cleric-waves-knife-exhorts-muslims-to-stab-jews-cut-them-into-body-parts

Jew Hatred
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A9IQm0Vavc

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Sara Al Nuaimi

Elisheva • Oct 17, 2015 at 09:19

I'm with you. It's never too late. The first link you posted from jihad watch is blocked from UAE sites, to counter ISIS/jihad propaganda. More on these efforts http://www.thenational.ae/world/middle-east/abu-dhabi-counter-terrorism-centre-to-battle-isils-online-lies

At this stage, the biggest step, is to open up dialogue and overcome our prejudices. Solutions will follow.

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Michael Waugh • Oct 14, 2015 at 08:59

It is difficult to tell with all the gibberish whether or not Saudi Arabia etc etc is coming into the 21st century, indeed the 20th. I understand Abu Dhabi was always one of the more enlightened states in the UAE. Do they have "religious police" too ?

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Sara Al Nuaimi

Michael Waugh • Oct 17, 2015 at 09:25

No, we don't have religious police in the UAE, and it makes the world of difference! For example, we don't have long bearded men with sticks appearing at any random street corner telling us what to wear or do.

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Carol Goldberg • Oct 14, 2015 at 08:45

A light in the darkness.

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Maurice Doffman • Oct 14, 2015 at 08:37

Extremely heart warming to read of this progress despite some of the very negative comments attached.
Now all that has to happen to complete the move to open ecumenicalism is to have a synagogue built in Abu Dhabi.

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Lia • Oct 14, 2015 at 07:59

Two brave men and a brave woman: may your lives continue to bear good fruit.

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Vivienne Leijonhufvud • Oct 14, 2015 at 07:02

It takes a woman at least a step in the right direction.

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Chris Coles • Oct 14, 2015 at 06:25

"If you learn anything about your own thinking from reading this then I have achieved something. That is all anyone can ever wish for, to enlighten, in the smallest way, any other individual. But whatever you do, never let anyone else bully you into believing that there is no value to your own thinking. Upon these principles is founded the concept of debate."

One may be wrong in one's thinking, but to express the thought gives the chance for another to challenge that thinking, as I do here. Debate requires acceptance of the possibility of right or wrong to be on both sides and accepted by both sides in equal part and in good humour. Gender, age, experience, who you are or where you have come from; has no part to play. Everyone has the right to think, to speak their mind; verbally, artistically, with the written word, or even satirically, using both words and art in combination; and be listened to. Freedom of speech is essential. By the same token, no one; has any right to use any form of coercion to try and impose their viewpoint on anyone else. The freedom to think and speak without fear or favour; is an absolute right in any debate, on any subject, at all times."

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Barry Werner • Oct 14, 2015 at 05:56

Thank you Sara Al Nuaimi for letting us know about that

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