On the occasion of the feast of Deepavali (Diwali), celebrated this year on November 8, Bishop Paolo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, extends his warmest wishes of peace and joy to the Hindu community in the UAE.

“May this special occasion bring joy, hope, and a renewed commitment to harmony and peace.”

Deepavali means “row of lamps”. According to Hindu beliefs and traditions, this festival carries deep symbolic significance, representing the victory of truth over falsehood, light over darkness, life over death, and good over evil. For Hindus, the celebration also marks the beginning of a new year, a time for family reunions and reconciliation, particularly between brothers and sisters, as well as the worship of God.

In his message, Bishop Paolo writes: “This year, as we commemorate the 800th anniversary of the legacy of St. Francis of Assisi, we are invited to renew his vision of fraternity, encounter, and peace, which continues to inspire interreligious dialogue today. Moreover, the 40th anniversary of the Spirit of Assisi represents a precious legacy and a shared commitment to building bridges across religious traditions and fostering, as Pope Leo XIV reminds us, an unarmed and disarming peace.”

As a gesture of friendship and respect, Bishop Paolo shared with local Hindu representatives the message prepared by the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue titled, “Hindus and Christians: Forging pathways of peace together in the ‘spirit of Assisi.’”

The reference is to the historical meeting that took place on October 27, 1986, in Assisi at the invitation of Pope John Paul II, bringing together representatives of various religions to pray for peace, “convinced that religions and interreligious solidarity can help address global crises and promote peace” reads the Message from the Holy See. The Assisi gathering “showed the world that authentic religions of their very nature promote peace and reject every form of violence.”

“In the face of the many challenges facing humanity today, especially those arising from wars, conflicts, and the use of religion for political ends,” the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue urges a reflection on how Hindus and Christians can forge pathways of peace together. The Message especially highlights the importance of interreligious dialogue: “Today, such dialogue is a ‘vital necessity’” and “it plays ‘a decisive role, because at the heart of the great spiritual paths lies a message of peace’”.

Fr. Stefano Luca, Director of the AVOSA Interfaith and Ecumenical Dialogue Office (IFEDO), personally delivered the message to the Hindu Temple in Dubai and to the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, where he was received by temple representatives and leaders of the Hindu religious community.