Harvinder has already plans to break journey in Dubai on our next trip to India in late this year. So are ready Shilpy and Shiv who have their chicago buddies Vali and Heina located in Dubai. Come winter 2012, and we 'inshallah' will be having a gala time intercepted by spiritual time.
Visitors say that it is even more beautiful than the Golden Temple of Amritsar. The only Gurdwara of its kind in the modern world, some are even comparing Kandhari to erstwhile kings, who made such iconic monuments of importance during their rule. A beautiful fact in religious harmony, when he brings home historic significance that the foundation stone of the Golden Temple was laid by Muslim Saint Hazrat Mian Mir and land donated now by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai. Large part of the 65 million dirham spent on making it has been spared by Kandhari himself. Heavenly spirituality meets with earthly opulence. A spectacular combine made possible by the will of God, through his chosen man, Surinder Singh Kandhari.
It was a journey to the unknown when Mr. Kandhari, a well-respected businessman in Dubai, approached Dubai authorities with his, what is calls, "a dream project." Convincing the officials of the Ministry of Islamic Affair that there is nothing anti-Islamic about setting up a Gurdwara, was the most difficult job.
Mr. Kandhari, who is also the Captain of the prestigious Emirates Golf Club in Dubai, needed to bring all his convincing powers and knowledge about the region into full play - and finally he succeeded. "It was hard to explain the Ministry officials even the idea of sangat and langar. I had to translate excerpts from Guru Granth Saheb and read out to them. Sikhs don't worship idols like in Islam, and how the idea of equality was inherent in Sikhism. Once they were convinced that setting up a Gurdwara is not anti-Islamic, things quickly started falling in place.
His HIghness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Makhtoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE, was very gracious to grant permission for building of the gurudwara. "The permission is one thing, look at gesture- he gave us 25400 square feet of land free for the community!"
From 24 carat gold canopies to exclusive Italian marble, the temple of worship is a masterpiece in architecture, aesthetics & grandeur, all in the name of God. The serenity as you enter is just the same as one would find in any other place of worship. But behind the faith lies six years of toil and treasure spending in what stands as an icon of Sikhism in the Middle East . Situated in Jebel Ali, a prominent location, measuring 100, 000 sq ft spread across four levels, it is visited by hundreds of devotees from across the globe.
The building contractor has guaranteed the structure for 100 years. It has high sped silent lifts. The kitchen is made & manned to five star standards. "I told the ruler that one can't surpass the Golden Temple but what we will have is the most modern Gurdwara in the world" said Kandhari, chairman of the Al Dobowi Group, and one of the most prominent NRI’s in the Middle East . The community box collections are already very high which pleases the management as they plan to spend it all in binding the Indian – Pakistan community closer. The next steps unveil opening of hospitals & schools for public good, as well as teaching native languages and religious strictures.
"JO BOLE SO NIHAL, SAT SRI AKAL".
1 comment:
Sikhism is considered to be one of the most highly organized religions of the world, on the similar lines the Gurudwaras have been regarded as extremely well maintained, well structured and well-organized places of worship and religious activities, despite so many people visiting it every day.
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