UAE will ensure freedom of worship, says envoy

UAE will ensure freedom of worship, says envoy

The United Arab Emirates will ensure the freedom of worship for Indian workers and professionals, its Ambassador to India, Ahmed Al-Banna, has said.

Context:

• The United Arab Emirates will ensure the freedom of worship for Indian workers and professionals.

United Arab Emirates realizes the religious rights of Indians:

• United Arab Emirates was one of the first to realize the need for the religious rights of the Indian community in West Asia.
• With the arrival of Indian workers and professionals during the 1950s, the country facilitated the construction of the first Hindu temple in Dubai a decade later.
• Soon, a Gurdwara was built between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
• A construction of temple would begin shortly.
• Once ready, the temple will be the second Hindu place of worship in the UAE.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Palestine, the UAE and Oman:

• Prime Minister 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.
• Security and counter-terror cooperation are likely to get a boost during Prime Minister Modi’s visit as both sides have emerged as key players in countering threats to security and regional instability.