Hinduism in the Middle East

Hindus in the Middle East
Total population
3,062,645
(1.6% of population)
Regions with significant populations
 United Arab Emirates855,738 (2022)
 Saudi Arabia451,347 (2020)
 Kuwait425,950 (2020)
 Qatar422,118 (2022)
 Yemen297,103 (2022)
 Oman279,488 (2022)
 Bahrain165,706 (2020)
Religions
Hinduism
Related ethnic groups
Buddhism in the Middle East, Sikhism, Christianity in the Middle East
Hinduism by country
Africa
Asia
Europe
North America
Caribbean
Oceania
South America
Full list

According to the Book of Idols by the medieval Arab scholar Hisham ibn al-Kalbi, Hinduism was present in pre-Islamic Arabia. Ibn Al-Kalbi explains the origins of idol worshipping and the practice of circumambulation as rooted in India and Hinduism.[1]

Hinduism has been present in the form of ancient Hinduism or Vedic religion in other parts of the Middle East and influenced the Zoroastrianism and Manichaeism in ancient Persia. [2] Krishna, one of the avatars of Vishnu and prominent Hindu deity, figures prominently in some of religions in the region.[3]

While influencing ancient religions of Zoroastrianism and Manichaeism, the Hindu notion of reincarnation or transmigration of souls was incorporated in other smaller religions such as Yazidism as well as Druze.[4] Many religions in the Middle East, notable among them is Yazidism, draw heavily from common Indo-Iranian traditions, closely connected to Hinduism.[5] The Yarsani, followers of Yarsanism, believe that the Divine Essence has successive incarnations known as mazhariyyats (similar to the Hindu notion of avatars).[6]

At present, there is an influential and wealthy Hindu community, mostly of Indian, Nepalese and Sri Lankan heritage in Arab states of the Persian Gulf.[7] Many came due to the migration of Indians and Nepalese expatriates and employees to the area around the Persian Gulf.

The Indian expatriate community is the largest ethnic community in the UAE constituting 30% of the country’s population. The Indian community members -- from managers, doctors and technicians to engineers, IT experts and chartered accountants or business tycoons -- have left an indelible mark on the Gulf nation’s social and economic life.[8]

Hindu temples have been built in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, and Oman.[9]

  1. ^ Akasoy, Anna (2019-03-06). "Islam and Buddhism: The Arabian Prequel?". Entangled Religions. 8: 1–32. doi:10.13154/er.v8.2019.1-32. ISSN 2363-6696. Archived from the original on 2024-08-20. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  2. ^ "Jainism – Posadha", Buddhism and Jainism, Encyclopedia of Indian Religions, Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands, p. 585, 2017, doi:10.1007/978-94-024-0852-2_100387, ISBN 978-94-024-0851-5, retrieved 2024-07-09
  3. ^ Baha'i Faith. 2020. doi:10.4135/9781529714401.n46. ISBN 978-1-4739-4220-2. Retrieved 2024-07-09. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  4. ^ Sanders, Mija A (2019-08-16). "Yezidis in ancient India, or Indians in ancient Mesopotamia?: Re-imagining Ancient Yezidi Origins". Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Studies: 68–82. doi:10.29333/ejecs/255. ISSN 2149-1291.
  5. ^ Sanders, Mija A (2019-08-16). "Yezidis in ancient India, or Indians in ancient Mesopotamia?: Re-imagining Ancient Yezidi Origins". Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Studies: 68–82. doi:10.29333/ejecs/255. ISSN 2149-1291.
  6. ^ Hosseini, S. Behnaz (2020). Yārsān of Iran, Socio-Political Changes and Migration. doi:10.1007/978-981-15-2635-0. ISBN 978-981-15-2634-3. Archived from the original on 2024-07-09. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  7. ^ Network, India News. "Diaspora: A significant link between India and Gulf countries". India News Network. Archived from the original on 2024-07-13. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  8. ^ Network, India News. "Diaspora: A significant link between India and Gulf countries". India News Network. Archived from the original on 2024-07-13. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  9. ^ "Hindu temples of Gulf countries: more exist than you imagined". catchnews. Archived from the original on December 25, 2018. Retrieved December 20, 2016.