• Residents walk in a slum's alley illuminated by colourful lights on the eve of the Hindu festival of Diwali in Mumbai, India,.Reuters
    Residents walk in a slum's alley illuminated by colourful lights on the eve of the Hindu festival of Diwali in Mumbai, India,.Reuters
  • Hindu devotees climb the colored stairs to pray at the Batu Caves Temple during the Deepavali celebration in Selangor, Malaysia. AP
    Hindu devotees climb the colored stairs to pray at the Batu Caves Temple during the Deepavali celebration in Selangor, Malaysia. AP
  • A Hindu lights up clay oil lamps. AP
    A Hindu lights up clay oil lamps. AP
  • A puppy with 'Sindoor' vermillion powder on its forehead and a garland is pictured after a boy offered prayers in Kathmandu, Nepal. Reuters
    A puppy with 'Sindoor' vermillion powder on its forehead and a garland is pictured after a boy offered prayers in Kathmandu, Nepal. Reuters
  • Nepal Armed Police dog handlers and their dogs with vermillion. AFP
    Nepal Armed Police dog handlers and their dogs with vermillion. AFP
  • Kim Jung-Sook, third left, wife of South Korean President Moon Jae-in, poses with artists dresses as Hindu deities, garlanded from right, Lakshman, Ram and Sita during Diwali celebrations in Ayodhya, India. The South Korean first lady is the chief guest at Diwali celebrations in Ayodhya. AP
    Kim Jung-Sook, third left, wife of South Korean President Moon Jae-in, poses with artists dresses as Hindu deities, garlanded from right, Lakshman, Ram and Sita during Diwali celebrations in Ayodhya, India. The South Korean first lady is the chief guest at Diwali celebrations in Ayodhya. AP
  • The South Korean first lady is the chief guest at Diwali celebrations in Ayodhya. EPA
    The South Korean first lady is the chief guest at Diwali celebrations in Ayodhya. EPA
  • Sri Lankan Hindu devotees offer prayers during Diwali Festival at a temple in Colombo. AFP
    Sri Lankan Hindu devotees offer prayers during Diwali Festival at a temple in Colombo. AFP
  • Nepali Hindus worship a cow in Kathmandu. AFP
    Nepali Hindus worship a cow in Kathmandu. AFP
  • Nepali Hindus worship a cow in Kathmandu. AFP
    Nepali Hindus worship a cow in Kathmandu. AFP
  • Indian Sikh devotees gather to pay their respects. Sikhs celebrate "Bandi Chhor Divas" to mark the return of the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji. AFP
    Indian Sikh devotees gather to pay their respects. Sikhs celebrate "Bandi Chhor Divas" to mark the return of the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji. AFP
  • Houses on a hill are seen lit-up as a part of "Diwali" festival celebrations in Mumbai. AFP
    Houses on a hill are seen lit-up as a part of "Diwali" festival celebrations in Mumbai. AFP
  • Indian workers light oil lamps during "Diwali" festival celebrations in Gandhinagar, about 30km from Ahmedabad. AFP
    Indian workers light oil lamps during "Diwali" festival celebrations in Gandhinagar, about 30km from Ahmedabad. AFP
  • The Akshardham Mandir in Gandhinagar. AFP
    The Akshardham Mandir in Gandhinagar. AFP
  • Participants light earthen oil lamps on the banks of the Sarayu river in an attempt to enter the Guinness World Records for the largest display of oil lamps on the eve of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Ayodhya, Utar Pradesh. Reuters
    Participants light earthen oil lamps on the banks of the Sarayu river in an attempt to enter the Guinness World Records for the largest display of oil lamps on the eve of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Ayodhya, Utar Pradesh. Reuters

Government

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid shares Diwali wishes, in Hindi

Ruler of Dubai calls on residents to share photos of celebrations as he wishes India's prime minister a happy Diwali

The National

November 07, 2018

  • English
  • Arabic

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, sent out a Diwali greeting in Hindi on Twitter.

“On behalf of the people of the UAE, I wish [Indian Prime Minister] Narendra Modi and all who are celebrating Diwali a happy and joyful festival,” Sheikh Mohammed tweeted.

"May the light of love and hope shine on us all. I encourage you to share your pictures of Diwali celebrations in the United Arab Emirates!"

Sheikh Mohammed used the hashtag #UAEDiwali so residents could use it too when sharing images.

The Indian prime minister later responded and thanked Sheikh Mohammed for his message.

Also known as the festival of lights, the holiday is celebrated by Hindus around the world every year.

Across the Emirates, houses are strung with lights and people wear traditional attire and share snacks in celebration of India's biggest Hindu festival.

More than three million Indians live in the UAE and Diwali is a great opportunity for them to bedeck their love of their country’s culture up in lights.

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Read more:

Families shine light on Indian traditions for Diwali celebrations

Indians prepare for Diwali celebrations — in pictures

UAE