HH Mahant Swami Maharaj Visits the Grand Mosque with HE Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan

On 21 April 2019, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, Spiritual Head of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, was warmly received by His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Cabinet Member and the Minister of State for Tolerance, at his royal Majlis in Abu Dhabi, where they discussed interfaith harmony and cultural inclusiveness. Brahmavihari Swami, who is overseeing the concept and construction of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi highlighted the love and warmth that both the places of worship uphold and share. His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj also conveyed his gratitude to His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan for his wholehearted support for the Mandir. Accompanying His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj were 50 BAPS sadhus and Dr B.R. Shetty, Chairman of Mandir Limited.

At the end of the meeting, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj presented an auspicious golden Amrut Kalash (Vessel of Immortality) to His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, as a token of appreciation for the love and kindness bestowed by him upon the Indian community. Then, His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan personally greeted each of the 50 sadhus.

Following the reception at the royal Majlis, shortly after 5:00 p.m., His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan personally drove His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. At the entrance of the Mosque, His Holiness was received by His Excellency Dr Yousif Alobaidli, Director General of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre.

His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan and His Excellency Dr Yousif Alobaidli guided His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj and the sadhus, explaining the significance of many aspects of the mosque. At the Qibla Wall, His Holiness paid respects to the 99 names of Allah inscribed in Kufic calligraphy script.

As His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan and His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj made their way to the external courtyard, they were greeted by devotees, well-wishers and visitors who were eagerly awaiting to pass on their respects.

At the breathtaking colonnade which has 1,096 pillars, photos of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan and His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj were taken. Then, His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj signed the Guest Book, commending and supporting the efforts for global harmony by the government and people of the UAE.

At 5.45pm, His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan lovingly gifted His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj a book about the Grand Mosque.

At 5.47p.m., His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan again personally drove His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj in a golf cart to give a view of the Martyrs Memorial. From here, His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan drove His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj to the helipad, where he had arranged a helicopter to take His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj back to Dubai.