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Presidents of Latter Day-Saints host BAPS Abu Dhabi leader in Utah
Discussions focused on the role of faith-based institutions in promoting peace and service.
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Staff Reporter - Tue, 24, Jun 2025
- 17:35 EDT
- 18
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Brahmavihari Swami along with Senior leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints / BAPS
Senior leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hosted Brahmavihari Swami, head of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, during his visit to Utah on June 18.
The meeting, held in Salt Lake City, brought together representatives from two major global religious organizations to discuss interfaith cooperation and humanitarian efforts.
Also Read: BAPS Charities' healthcare professionals conference held in Texas
Swami Brahmaviharidas met with president Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring of the Church’s First Presidency. Senior leaders including David A. Bednar and Patrick Kearon of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Anthony D. Perkins, who oversees the Church’s Middle East/Africa North Area, and Elder Matthew S. Holland from the Church Communication Department, also joined the event.
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BAPS / Swami Brahmaviharidas meeting with president Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B.Discussions focused on the role of faith-based institutions in promoting peace and service. Church officials described the meeting as one rooted in “mutual respect,” with a shared commitment to “global harmony.” The BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi was highlighted as a significant example of interfaith coexistence and cultural collaboration.
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BAPS / Discussions during the meet
Swami Brahmaviharidas also toured several Church-run facilities, including Deseret Industries on Welfare Square and the Conference Center at Temple Square, where he attended an organ performance.
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BAPS / Discussions during the meetThe visit comes four months after the opening of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, the first traditional Hindu stone temple in the Middle East. Constructed from hand-carved pink sandstone from Rajasthan and Italian marble, the structure blends Indian craftsmanship with Middle Eastern architectural motifs. Since its inauguration in February 2024, the temple has hosted thousands of visitors and become a prominent symbol of religious pluralism in the Gulf.
In April, the temple held a Ramadan evening titled Omsiyyat, which brought together over 200 interfaith leaders, diplomats, and scholars. The event highlighted the temple’s broader role as a platform for interfaith dialogue, with participation from Christian, Jewish, Sikh, Buddhist, and Jain representatives, alongside UAE government officials.
Brahmaviharidas, a senior member of the seven-person BAPS Core Committee, has overseen several of the organization’s major international projects, including temples in London and the United States. He reports directly to Mahant Swami Maharaj, the current spiritual head of BAPS.
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