Pakistani Publishers Bring Urdu Heritage to Abu Dhabi Book Fair as South Asian Expats Shine in UAE
Abu Dhabi's South Asian community is in the spotlight this week, from a robust Pakistani literary presence at the city's internationally acclaimed book fair to a heartwarming prize draw win for a UAE-born Pakistani professional. Meanwhile, the BAPS Hindu Mandir continues its mission of humanitarian care for the Indian diaspora, and a gesture by the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince toward an Indian driver during a Delhi visit has resonated widely across the region's South Asian communities.
🤝 Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Gesture Toward Indian Driver Earns Widespread Praise
A small but symbolically significant moment captured widespread attention during a recent state visit by the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince to Delhi. Before departing India, the Crown Prince paused and turned back to personally thank an Indian driver who had served during the official visit, a gesture that resonated deeply across South Asian and Arab media. NDTV and other outlets described the act as a class act, a phrase that circulated widely on social media as audiences expressed appreciation for the Crown Prince's personal warmth toward a working professional. For the millions of Indian expatriates in the UAE, many of whom work as drivers, domestic workers, and service professionals, the gesture carried meaningful weight. It was widely interpreted as a recognition of the everyday labor and dignity of Indian workers who form a cornerstone of the UAE's workforce. India-UAE diplomatic relations have grown considerably stronger in recent years, and moments like this reinforce the human dimension of those ties. The story traveled widely among Indian diaspora communities, many of whom shared it as evidence of the genuine mutual respect that can exist across national and cultural boundaries in the Gulf region, making it one of the more heartening diplomatic stories to emerge from the bilateral relationship this year. [2]
🪔 BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi Sustains Humanitarian Mission for South Asian Community
The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha's Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi has been highlighted for its sustained commitment to community care and humanitarian service in times of crisis. BAPS, which maintains an extensive global network spanning North America, the United Kingdom, Europe, Africa, and the Asia Pacific region, operates one of its most important Gulf presences in Abu Dhabi. The organization's Abu Dhabi Mandir provides a spiritual and social anchor for the large Indian and South Asian diaspora in the UAE capital, offering satsang gatherings, spiritual education, and community support programs aligned with the Swaminarayan tradition's emphasis on seva — selfless service. In periods of community hardship or crisis, BAPS volunteers and institutions have consistently mobilized to provide material and emotional support to affected individuals and families. The organization also offers publications, daily spiritual programs, and an online platform for devotees across the world to engage with Swaminarayan teachings. Abu Dhabi's BAPS Mandir stands as a landmark institution for Hindu worship in the Gulf, drawing thousands of devotees from across the emirate and serving as a model for how faith communities can successfully integrate humanitarian service with religious practice in a diverse multicultural environment. Its programs continue to serve thousands of South Asian residents across the UAE capital. [3]
🎬 Pakistan Pavilion Showcases Urdu and English Titles at 35th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair
Pakistani publishers are taking center stage at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair this week, presenting a rich collection of Urdu and English-language titles that represent the breadth of Pakistan's literary, educational, cultural, and intellectual heritage. The Pakistani embassy in the UAE announced the pavilion's opening as part of a 95-country gathering at the ADNEC Centre, where the fair runs from September 13 to 18 in its 35th edition — one of the Arab world's most significant literary events. Pakistan's pavilion brings together publications spanning a diverse range of subjects, from educational materials to fiction and cultural commentary, offering UAE readers and international visitors a window into the country's thriving publishing industry. The fair provides Pakistani publishers with a critical platform to reach global audiences and strengthen cultural ties between Pakistan and the broader Arab-speaking world. Literature, particularly Urdu writing, has long served as a bridge between South Asian communities and their host countries across the Gulf. The event also reflects the cultural ambitions of the nearly 1.7 million South Asians who call Abu Dhabi home, for whom such literary gatherings serve as both cultural affirmation and community celebration. The Pakistan Pavilion remained open through September 18, offering visitors a guided introduction to the breadth of contemporary and classical Pakistani publishing. [4]
🤝 UAE-Born Pakistani HR Professional Wins Dh25,000 in Big Ticket Weekly Draw
Zulqarnain Malik, a 40-year-old Pakistani human resources professional born and raised in the UAE, has won Dh25,000 in Big Ticket's first weekly e-draw for September 2026. Malik, who currently lives in the UAE with his wife and two children, purchased just six tickets since rejoining the draw after a long break. He first encountered Big Ticket by chance during travel, tried it a few times without success, and then rediscovered it online last year before trying again. Malik took a deliberately casual approach to ticket selection: he said he does not believe in lucky numbers and simply selected randomly. When the winning notification arrived, the reaction was visceral: he described getting goosebumps upon finding out and said the experience was genuinely exciting, especially since he had never expected to win. The entire Dh25,000 prize will be dedicated to his family. He plans to spend the winnings on his wife and children to make them happy, he said. Energized by the result, Malik has already purchased another Big Ticket entry and expressed optimism about pursuing the grand prize, saying he feels his luck is running strong. His story reflects the everyday aspirations and joys of Pakistani expats building lives and families in the Gulf, where the Big Ticket draw has long been a source of hope for working professionals. [5]
Sources: [2] NDTV · [3] BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha · [4] Arab News PK · [5] Gulf News