On the last day of his whirlwind tour to four Arab nations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit a 200-year old temple in Oman capital Muscat today. Shiva Temple, situated in Muscat near Sultan’s Palace, is among the first Hindu temples in Arab states.
"The prime minister will also visit a 200-year-old Shiva temple in Oman," Mridul Kumar, joint secretary (Gulf) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), had said last week while announcing Modi's itinerary.
Muscat also has a Krishna temple.
Shiva Temple is Muscat was built by merchant community from Gujarat which settled in the country. The temple is managed by Management of Hindu Temple recognised body by Ministry of Endowments & Religious Affairs.
Oman has a sizable Indian diaspora which constitutes the largest expatriate community. More than 9 million Indians work and live in the Gulf region.
Modi, who arrived in Oman on Sunday, will also visit Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque before leaving for New Delhi.
Before that, he will meet CEOs of leading Omani companies in Muscat to develop stronger economic and business links with India before heading home.
PM Modi arrived in Oman on a two-day visit on the last leg of his tour of three West Asian countries on Sunday. On the first leg of his trip, Modi had travelled to Ramallah, becoming the first Indian prime minister to make an official visit to Palestine.
On Sunday, he met the top leadership of Oman and also addressed a 'Mega Event' of the Indian community.
Noting that Oman was a close maritime neighbour with whom India enjoys excellent relations, Modi had said ahead of his visit, "I shall also interact with leading businesspersons of Oman on developing stronger economic and business links with India."
India and Oman have thriving links rooted in centuries-old people-to-people exchanges, Modi had said.
(With PTI inputs)
