Abu Dhabi South Asian news digest — 2026-08-14
Abu Dhabi's large and diverse South Asian community marked two significant cultural moments — Pakistani expatriates gathered at the Embassy for flag-hoisting ceremonies celebrating 79 years of independence, and the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir hosted an illuminated Diwali and Dhanteras Puja drawing together the Hindu diaspora.
🤝 Pakistani expats in Abu Dhabi celebrate 79th Independence Day at Embassy
Pakistani expatriates in Abu Dhabi gathered at the Pakistani Embassy to celebrate the 79th anniversary of Pakistan's Independence Day on August 14, 2026, Gulf News reports. Pakistan's Ambassador to the UAE, Shafqat Ali Khan, hoisted the national flag during the formal ceremony, joining community members in a display of patriotism and national pride. In Dubai, Acting Consul General Fawad Ahmed Khan led parallel celebrations at the Consulate, with the Pakistani national flag flying prominently as the expatriate community came together to mark the occasion. The event featured flag-hoisting, cake-cutting, community gatherings, and expressions of pride in Pakistan's founding. The Pakistani community in the UAE is one of the largest expatriate communities in the Gulf, with a major presence in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and Independence Day is among the most significant occasions in the community calendar. Ceremonies at Pakistani diplomatic missions in both emirates drew large turnouts, reflecting the enduring ties of the diaspora to their home country. Community members expressed hope and patriotism as they celebrated seven and a half decades of Pakistani statehood, with many reflecting on the historical journey since 1947 and the deep ties between Pakistan and the UAE as partner nations. [1]
🪔 BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir Abu Dhabi hosts Diwali and Dhanteras Puja celebration
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Abu Dhabi, located at Plot P6 Al Taf Road in Abu Mureikhah, hosted its Diwali and Dhanteras Puja celebration with an extensive programme of devotional rituals and community participation, as documented on the BAPS organization's official website. The celebration, themed 'Where Light Meets Devotion,' featured 192 items including Dhanteras Puja ceremonies, bhajans, Hanuman Puja, and a gallery of community photographs from the festivities. Dhanteras, observed on the first day of Diwali celebrations, is marked by traditional prayers for prosperity and the lighting of diyas. The Abu Dhabi mandir holds special significance as the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir Abu Dhabi is the first traditional Hindu stone temple in the Arab world, making it a landmark institution for the South Asian Hindu community in the UAE. The Diwali celebrations brought together Indian Hindu families from across Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE, offering traditional puja, cultural programmes, and a communal space for religious observance far from home. The event reflects the deep commitment of the South Asian Hindu diaspora in the Gulf to maintaining their cultural and religious traditions. BAPS mandirs globally maintain active community calendars and serve as focal points for devotees, offering regular satsang, religious education, and festival celebrations throughout the year. [3]
Sources: [1] Gulf News · [3] BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha