Hinduism in the Middle East#Lebanon

{{Short description|none}}

{{Infobox religious group|group=Hindus in the Middle East|region1={{flag|United Arab Emirates}}|pop1=855,738 (2022)|region2={{flag|Saudi Arabia}}|pop2=451,347 (2020)|region3= {{flag|Kuwait}}|pop3=425,950 (2020)|region4={{flag|Qatar}}|pop4=422,118 (2022)|region5={{flag|Yemen}}|pop5=297,103 (2022)|region6={{flag|Oman}}|pop6=279,488 (2022)|region7={{flag|Bahrain}}|pop7=165,706 (2020)|religions=Hinduism|population=3,062,645
(1.6% of population)|related-c=Buddhism in the Middle East, Sikhism, Christianity in the Middle East

{{Hinduism by country}}}}

There are Hindu communities, mostly of Indian, Nepalese and Sri Lankan heritage in Arab states of the Persian Gulf.{{Cite web |last=Network |first=India News |title=Diaspora: A significant link between India and Gulf countries |url=https://www.indianewsnetwork.com/en/20240212/diaspora-a-significant-link-between-india-and-gulf-countries |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=India News Network |language=en |archive-date=2024-07-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713105847/https://www.indianewsnetwork.com/en/20240212/diaspora-a-significant-link-between-india-and-gulf-countries |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.catchnews.com/world-news/west-asia-temples-hindu-1439789867.html |title=Hindu temples of Gulf countries: more exist than you imagined |publisher=catchnews |access-date=December 20, 2016 |archive-date=December 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225215833/http://www.catchnews.com/world-news/west-asia-temples-hindu-1439789867.html |url-status=live }}

Demographics

{{Pie chart

|thumb = right

|caption = Distribution of Hindus among the Middle Eastern countries

|label1 = United Arab Emirates

|value1 = 32.2

|color1 = Red

|label2 = Saudi Arabia

|value2 = 15

|color2 = Grey

|label3 = Kuwait

|value3 = 14

|color3 = Pink

|label4 = Qatar

|value4 = 11

|color4 = Green

|label5 = Yemen

|value5 = 10

|color5 = Orange

|label6 = Oman

|value6 = 9

|color6 = Black

|label7 = Bahrain

|value7 = 5.4

|color7 = Brown

|label8 = Turkey

|value8 = 3

|color8 = Yellow

|label9 = Jordan

|value9 = 0.3

|color9 = Blue

|label10 = Lebanon

|value10 = 0.2

|color10 = White

}}

class="sortable wikitable"

|+ Hinduism by country in the Middle East

Country

! Population (2020E)

! % of Hindus

! Hindu total

{{flagu|United Arab Emirates}}

| align="right" | {{Sort|009869000|9,869,000}}

| align="left" | {{Sort|00100|10%}}{{cite web

|url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2006/71434.htm

|title=International Religious Freedom Report: United Arab Emirates

|access-date=2021-08-05

|archive-date=2021-01-10

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110133731/https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2006/71434.htm

|url-status=live

}}{{cite web|url=http://www.religiousintelligence.co.uk/country/?CountryID=10 |title=Country Profiles |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927193701/http://www.religiousintelligence.co.uk/country/?CountryID=10 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 }}

| align="right" | 986,900

{{flagu|Saudi Arabia}}

| align="right" | {{Sort|034719000|34,719,000}}

| align="left" | {{Sort|00130|1.3%}}{{cite web |url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90220.htm |title=International Religious Freedom Report: Saudi Arabia |date=14 September 2007 |access-date=5 August 2021 |archive-date=12 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512060026/https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90220.htm |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/saudi-arabia#/?affiliations_religion_id=0&affiliations_year=2020®ion_name=All%20Countries&restrictions_year=2016|title=Religions in Saudi Arabia | PEW-GRF|access-date=2021-08-05|archive-date=2021-10-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028143031/http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/saudi-arabia#/?affiliations_religion_id=0&affiliations_year=2020®ion_name=All%20Countries&restrictions_year=2016|url-status=dead}}

| align="right" | 451,347

{{flagu|Kuwait}}

| align="right" | {{Sort|004259500|4,259,500}}

| align="left" | {{Sort|00100|10%}}{{cite web

|url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2006/71425.htm

|title=International Religious Freedom Report: Kuwait

|access-date=2021-08-05

|archive-date=2020-10-10

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010044419/https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2006/71425.htm

|url-status=live

}}

| align="right" | 425,950

{{flagu|Qatar}}

| align="right" | {{Sort|002113000|2,113,000}}

| align="left" | {{Sort|00159|15.9%}}{{cite web

|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5437.htm

|title=International Religious Freedom Report: Qatar

|access-date=2021-08-05

|archive-date=2021-03-20

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320133756/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5437.htm

|url-status=live

}}{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/qatar/ |title=CIA World FactBook: Qatar |date=21 December 2021 |access-date=5 August 2021 |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709105408/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/qatar/ |url-status=live }}

| align="right" | 335,967

{{flagu|Yemen}}

| align="right" | {{Sort|029710300|29,710,300}}

| align="left" | {{Sort|00010|1%}}{{cite web

|url=http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/yemen#/?affiliations_religion_id=0&affiliations_year=2010®ion_name=All%20Countries&restrictions_year=2016

|title=Global Religious Futures: Yemen

|access-date=2021-08-05

|archive-date=2019-01-19

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119174441/http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/yemen#/?affiliations_religion_id=0&affiliations_year=2010®ion_name=All%20Countries&restrictions_year=2016

|url-status=live

}}

| align="right" | 297,103

{{flagu|Oman}}

| align="right" | {{Sort|005081600|5,081,600}}

| align="left" | {{Sort|00550|5.5%}}{{cite web

|url=http://religiousfreedom.lib.virginia.edu/nationprofiles/Oman/rbodies.html

|title=Religious Freedom Nation Profile: Oman

|url-status=dead

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071106021825/http://religiousfreedom.lib.virginia.edu/nationprofiles/Oman/rbodies.html

|archive-date=2007-11-06

}}{{cite web|url=http://www.religiousintelligence.co.uk/country/?CountryID=36 |title=Religious Freedom Nation Profile: Oman |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930152448/http://www.religiousintelligence.co.uk/country/?CountryID=36 |archive-date=September 30, 2007 }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/oman#/?affiliations_religion_id=0&affiliations_year=2010®ion_name=All%20Countries&restrictions_year=2016|title=Religions in Oman | PEW-GRF|access-date=2021-08-05|archive-date=2021-07-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715153410/http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/oman#/?affiliations_religion_id=0&affiliations_year=2010®ion_name=All%20Countries&restrictions_year=2016|url-status=live}}

| align="right" | 279,488

{{flagu|Bahrain}}

| align="right" | {{Sort|001690900|1,690,900}}

| align="left" | {{Sort|00098|9.8%}}{{cite web|publisher=Pew Research Center|url=https://www.pewforum.org/2012/12/18/global-religious-landscape-hindus/|title=Global Religious Landscape: Hindus|date=December 18, 2012}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/bahrain#/?affiliations_religion_id=0&affiliations_year=2010®ion_name=All%20Countries&restrictions_year=2016|title=Religions in Bahrain | PEW-GRF|access-date=2021-08-05|archive-date=2019-12-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216080116/http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/bahrain#/?affiliations_religion_id=0&affiliations_year=2010®ion_name=All%20Countries&restrictions_year=2016|url-status=live}}

| align="right" | 165,708

{{flagu|Turkey}}

| align="right" | {{Sort|084339067|84,339,067}}

| align="left" | {{Sort|00001|0.1%}}{{cite web

|url=http://religiousfreedom.lib.virginia.edu/nationprofiles/Turkey/rbodies.html

|title=Religious Freedom Nation Profile: Turkey

|url-status=dead

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071204000736/http://religiousfreedom.lib.virginia.edu/nationprofiles/Turkey/rbodies.html

|archive-date=2007-12-04

}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/turkey#/?affiliations_religion_id=0&affiliations_year=2010®ion_name=All%20Countries&restrictions_year=2016|title=Religions in Turkey | PEW-GRF|access-date=2021-08-05|archive-date=2021-09-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926211513/http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/turkey#/?affiliations_religion_id=0&affiliations_year=2010®ion_name=All%20Countries&restrictions_year=2016|url-status=live}}

| align="right" | 84,340

{{flagu|Jordan}}

| align="right" | {{Sort|10185500|10,185,500}}

| align="left" | {{Sort|00001|0.1%}}{{cite web

|url=http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/jordan#/?affiliations_religion_id=0&affiliations_year=2020®ion_name=All%20Countries&restrictions_year=2016

|title=Gloabal Religious Futures: Jordan

|access-date=2021-08-05

|archive-date=2022-07-01

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701175555/http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/jordan#/?affiliations_religion_id=0&affiliations_year=2020®ion_name=All%20Countries&restrictions_year=2016

|url-status=dead

}}

| align="right" | 10,186

{{flagu|Lebanon}}

| align="right" | {{Sort|006830600|6,830,600}}

| align="left" | {{Sort|00001|0.1%}}{{cite web

|url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2006/71426.htm

|title=International Religious Freedom Report: Lebanon

|access-date=2021-08-05

|archive-date=2021-05-16

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516004119/https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2006/71426.htm

|url-status=live

}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/lebanon#/?affiliations_religion_id=0&affiliations_year=2010®ion_name=All%20Countries&restrictions_year=2016|title=Religions in Lebanon | PEW-GRF|access-date=2021-08-05|archive-date=2021-09-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926221406/http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/lebanon#/?affiliations_religion_id=0&affiliations_year=2010®ion_name=All%20Countries&restrictions_year=2016|url-status=live}}

| align="right" | 6,830

Total

! 197,438,267

! 1.6

! 3,062,645

Egypt

There were about 2,700 Hindus in Egypt in 2010.{{Cite web|url=http://www.shvoong.com/social-sciences/communication-media-studies/2003140-india-egypt/|title=India and Egypt|website=www.shvoong.com|access-date=30 June 2020|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307132350/http://www.shvoong.com/social-sciences/communication-media-studies/2003140-india-egypt/|archive-date=7 March 2012|df=dmy-all}} That number decreased to about 1535 in 2020.{{Cite web |url=https://www.thearda.com/world-religion/np-sort?var=ADH_471 |title=The ARDA website, retrieved 2024-04-29 |access-date=2024-04-29 |archive-date=2024-05-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507142749/https://thearda.com/world-religion/np-sort?var=ADH_471 |url-status=live }} There are no known Hindu temples in Egypt.

Oman

{{Main article|Hinduism in Oman}}

File:Shiva temple, Muscat.jpg in Old Muscat is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Middle East.]]

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.J.E. Peterson,[http://www.jepeterson.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/Oman_Diverse_Society_Northern_Oman.pdf Oman's diverse society: Northern Oman] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611200608/http://www.jepeterson.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/Oman_Diverse_Society_Northern_Oman.pdf |date=2009-06-11 }}, Middle East Journal, Vol. 58, Nr. 1, Winter 2004

=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. The only active Hindu temples today are the Shiva temple complex in Muscat (locally known as Motishwar Mandir),{{Cite web|url=http://hindutemplesom.com/shri-shiva-temple/|title=Shri Shiva Temple|access-date=2019-09-10|archive-date=2023-10-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002073406/https://hindutemplesom.com/shri-shiva-temple/|url-status=dead}} and the Krishna temple located in Darsait.{{Cite web|url=http://hindutemplesom.com/shri-krishna-temple/|title=Shri Krishna Temple|access-date=2019-09-10|archive-date=2023-12-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227020404/https://hindutemplesom.com/shri-krishna-temple/|url-status=dead}}

Qatar

Hindus make up 15.9% of Qatar. There are an estimated 422,118 Hindus in the country.[http://features.pewforum.org/grl/population-percentage.php Global Religious Landscape] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130101080244/http://features.pewforum.org/grl/population-percentage.php |date=2013-01-01 }}. Pew Forum.{{cite web|title=Population By Religion, Gender And Municipality March 2004|url=http://www.qsa.gov.qa/QatarCensus/sensus_2004/pubulation-eng/Tabels/Pubulation/T06.htm|publisher=Qatar Statistics Authority|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518111025/http://www.qsa.gov.qa/QatarCensus/sensus_2004/pubulation-eng/Tabels/Pubulation/T06.htm|archive-date=2013-05-18}} They are from South Asia.{{cite web|title=Population structure|url=http://www.mdps.gov.qa/en/statistics1/StatisticsSite/Pages/Population.aspx|publisher=Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics|date=31 January 2020|access-date=17 June 2021|archive-date=26 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626135815/https://www.mdps.gov.qa/en/statistics1/StatisticsSite/Pages/Population.aspx|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Population By Religion, Gender And Municipality March 2020|url=http://www.qsa.gov.qa/QatarCensus/sensus_2020/pubulation-eng/Tabels/Pubulation/T06.htm|publisher=Qatar Statistics Authority}}

United Arab Emirates

{{Main|Hinduism in the United Arab Emirates}}

South Asians in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) constitute the largest ethnic group in the country.{{cite web |url=http://www.bq-magazine.com/economy/socioeconomics/2015/04/uae-population-by-nationality |title=UAE´s population – by nationality |publisher=bq magazine |date=April 12, 2015 |access-date=December 20, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170321184658/http://www.bq-magazine.com/economy/socioeconomics/2015/04/uae-population-by-nationality |archive-date=March 21, 2017 }} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/03/03/india-is-a-top-source-and-destination-for-worlds-migrants/|title=India is a top source and destination for world's migrants|website=Pew Research Center|date=3 March 2017|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-09|archive-date=2021-07-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706070859/https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/03/03/india-is-a-top-source-and-destination-for-worlds-migrants/|url-status=live}} 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%.{{Cite web |date=2020-05-13 |title=Hindu community in UAE supports the global initiative to pray to end pandemic - EasternEye |url=https://www.easterneye.biz/hindu-community-in-uae-supports-the-global-initiative-to-pray-to-end-pandemic/ |access-date=2024-02-11 |language=en-GB |archive-date=2024-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304101615/https://www.easterneye.biz/hindu-community-in-uae-supports-the-global-initiative-to-pray-to-end-pandemic/ |url-status=live }}

=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.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-08 |title=Iconic Bur Dubai temple complex to close doors in January 2024 |url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/iconic-bur-dubai-temple-complex-to-close-doors-in-january-2024-1.99836263 |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=gulfnews.com |language=en |archive-date=2024-01-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116234013/https://gulfnews.com/uae/iconic-bur-dubai-temple-complex-to-close-doors-in-january-2024-1.99836263 |url-status=live }}

Majority of Hindus living in UAE practice their religion within their homes.{{Cite book |last1=Al-Jaber |first1=Khalid |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tLSxEAAAQBAJ&dq=Hindus+living+in+Abu+Dhabi+and+Dubai+practice+their+religion+within+their+homes&pg=PT233 |title=Political Islam in the Gulf Region |last2=Ulrichsen |first2=Kristian Coates |date=2021-12-31 |publisher=Gulf International Forum |isbn=979-8-9859177-0-3 |language=en}} The new temple, BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi, had its foundation stone laying ceremony in April, 2019.{{Cite web|url=http://www.indoamerican-news.com/first-hindu-mandir-in-abu-dhabi-uae-to-be-built-by-baps-swaminarayan-sanstha/|title=First Hindu Mandir In Abu Dhabi, UAE, To Be Built By BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha {{!}} Indo American News|website=www.indoamerican-news.com|access-date=2018-05-15|archive-date=2018-05-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516174122/http://www.indoamerican-news.com/first-hindu-mandir-in-abu-dhabi-uae-to-be-built-by-baps-swaminarayan-sanstha/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/video-first-hindu-temples-foundation-stone-laying-ceremony-in-abu-dhabi-1.1555745241346|title=First Hindu Temple's Foundation Ceremony Laying Ceremony in Abu Dhabi|website=Gulf News|access-date=2019-09-10|archive-date=2023-03-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314212924/https://gulfnews.com/amp/uae/video-first-hindu-temples-foundation-stone-laying-ceremony-in-abu-dhabi-1.1555745241346|url-status=live}} The inauguration ceremony of the temple took place on 14 February 2024.{{cite web | title=PM Modi performs Aarti at the BAPS Mandir, the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi | date=2024-02-14 | url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/pm-modi-performs-aarti-at-the-baps-mandir-the-first-hindu-temple-in-abu-dhabi/videoshow/107696957.cms?from=mdr | access-date=2024-02-14 | archive-date=2024-02-14 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214201200/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/pm-modi-performs-aarti-at-the-baps-mandir-the-first-hindu-temple-in-abu-dhabi/videoshow/107696957.cms?from=mdr | url-status=live }}

Yemen

{{Main|Hinduism in Yemen}}

There are about 200,000 Hindus in Yemen.{{cite web|url=http://globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/yemen#/?affiliations_religion_id=14&affiliations_year=2020®ion_name=All%20Countries&restrictions_year=2016|title=Religions in Yemen|access-date=2021-07-06|archive-date=2021-11-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119044343/http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/yemen#/?affiliations_religion_id=14&affiliations_year=2020®ion_name=All%20Countries&restrictions_year=2016|url-status=dead}} They are from India and Nepal.{{cite web|url=https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/religious-beliefs-in-yemen.html|title=Religious Beliefs In Yemen|date=25 April 2017|access-date=6 July 2021|archive-date=5 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105104614/https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/religious-beliefs-in-yemen.html|url-status=live}}

Hindu temples

See also

References

{{reflist|2}}