Spiritual ties of both leaders bind India and UAE: Nahyan
abu dhabi — The Founding Father of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and India’s Father of the Nation Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi have lot in common and the two countries are bonded by the spiritual ties of these visionary leaders, a UAE minister said in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance, said this on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the Indian independence movement. Hundreds of people from all walks of life joined the celebrations held at the India Social and Cultural Centre (ISC) in Abu Dhabi.
Sheikh Nahyan lighted the traditional lamp and offered floral tribute to Gandhi’s statue. He noted that even though born 50 years apart, principles of Gandhi and Sheikh Zayed got lot in common.
“We are fortunate that this celebration of Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary coincides with the UAE’s celebration of the Year of Zayed. Many of their thoughts and actions are remarkably similar. The two visionary leaders shared the same values. During Gandhi’s assassination, Sheikh Zayed was only 29 years old, but great human beings encounter each other in spiritual world that defines their greatness. In Sheikh Zayed’s principles, we see Gandhi’s principles. We in the UAE are proud and grateful to have had a leader so spiritually influenced by Gandhi,” the minister said and praised the efforts to realise Zayed-Gandhi Digital Museum, which is getting finalised.
Al Nahyan said that Indians will not be celebrating the anniversary alone. “We join your celebration. Gandhi’s legacy is a universal force deeply imprinted in normal consciousness of humans.”
Al Nahyan noted that violence exists in the world but non-violence has become a formidable opponent. Al Nahyan lauded the bonds between the two countries.
“India has always exemplified diversity to the highest degree,” he said and added that the UAE in present day resembled a ‘miniature version of India’.
Indian Ambassador to the UAE Navdeep Singh Suri hailed the new narrative of spiritual ties pointed out by Sheikh Nahyan. “Gandhi is regarded as a modern figure. His ideas remain exceptionally relevant even 150 years after his birth and 70 years after his untimely demise,” Suri said.
The event titled ‘150 years of celebrating the Mahatma’ was held by the ISC under the patronage of the Indian Embassy in association with Gandhi Sahithya Vedi.