On his way to India for a five-day visit, H.E. Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League and President of the International Islamic Halal Organisation, departed from Saudi Arabia.
He paid a special, three-hour visit to the Swaminarayan Akshardham when he was in New Delhi to take in the beauty of Indian art, architecture, culture, and ideals, as well as their illustrious contributions to the globe. Additionally, he had a personal urge to discuss world peace, harmony, and coexistence with the Swamis.
His Excellency was received and welcomed at the Mayur Dwar by Swami Brahmaviharidas and Swami Dharmavatsaldas on behalf of Param Pujya Mahant Swami Maharaj. After their previous encounter in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during the first ever global interfaith summit in 2022, he was overjoyed to see Swami Brahmaviharidas again.
His Excellency was mesmerised by the grandeur and attention to detail of the work, the design of the stone parikrama, and the symbolic sculptures of Akshardham. He was curious about the lives, accomplishments, and teachings of Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the BAPS gurus, notably HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj, who is quoted as saying, “His eyes speak it all. His aura radiates a message of harmony, tranquilly, and quiet.
He strolled about the Gajendra Pith and admired its dedication to interfaith harmony and family cohesion. However, His Excellency’s heart was touched by the Sanskruti Vihar boat journey, which showcases the tens of thousands of years of Vedic tradition and ends with the proclamation that “The world is one family.”
Additionally, His Excellency was overjoyed to talk with Swami Brahmaviharidas about their shared principles of human harmony and their shared objectives for a peaceful world. He was extremely moved by the swamis’ spiritual vows and the ways in which humility and spirituality may contribute to world peace and harmony while appreciating the BAPS Sanstha’s continuous global social and spiritual activity. He was thrilled to learn about the BAPS Hindu Mandir, which is about to open in Abu Dhabi and will be both iconic and historic, and how it would serve as a spiritual haven for world peace.
“India is a great example of Unity in Diversity and my visit to Akshardham – a place of worship, full of love, peace, and harmony, sums it up,” he said, expressing his sincere happiness with his trip. With prayers for peace, a rare golden Amrut Kalash—a pot of perfection—was presented, and a little replica of Akshardham was given as a token of affection.
His Excellency extended an invitation to the Swamis to Riyadh and highlighted his commitment to working together to build a better and more peaceful world while the tour came to a close with a viewing of the stunning multi-media Sahaj-Anand water show.
