Hinduism in Spain
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[edit] Introduction
Hinduism is a minority religion in Spain.
The Indian community as a percentage of a population of 40 million is again only 0.04% at perhaps 30,000.
Most Indians originally travelled to Spain from Africa, while others came from India and even Japan and Southeast Asia.
Sindhi traders and shopkeepers thrived in the freeports of the Spanish Canary Islands of Las Palmas and Tenerife following the imposition of importand foreign exchange restrictions in Spain after World War-II.
They conducted a brisk trade with the North African continent from Las Palmas. When Ceuta and Melilla, parts of Spanish Morocco,were also declared as free ports, Indian businessmen set up trading houses and retail shop scatering to the tourist trade [1]
[edit] Hindus in Spain
Spain has recognized three entities of Hinduism *IRF 2006, Spain
Spain is home to an estimated 12,500 Hindus of Indian Diaspora as reported in Hinduism today.
Additionally some Spanish people had converted to Hinduism.
There are lot of Hindu and Indian organisations in Spain.
[edit] Indians in Spain
By the mid-seventies, there were over 200 Indian trading houses in Ceuta and Melilla. With the liberalisation in import policies introduced in the eighties, businessactivity shifted to the port cities of Malaga and Barcelona. Madrid also attracted many Indian Businessmen.
The Indian community in Spain enjoys a good reputation. Indians are considered hard working, non-political and peaceful. The Indian community has integrated well with Spanish society. Sindhis and Sikhs form the majority of the Indian community. The community celebrates various Indian festivals. Rath Yatras are also taken out by members of the Hare Rama Hare Krishna movement with the enthusiastic support of the Indian community [2]
[edit] Hindu Temples in Spain
Hindu Temple in Valencia, located in the central Plaza del Patriarca, was inaugurated on November 23rd 2006. (November 29, 2006, Hinduism Today)
Hindu temple in Ceuta city was expected to have inaugurated on February 2007. In order to build the temple the Ceuta city government and the Hindu community signed an agreement last year in which the the city committed to finance part of the work, estimated at approximately US$390,000. The work started around the middle of September 2006, after all required permits granted from "Consejeria de Fomento". (January 15, 2007, Hinduism Today)
One ISKCON Krishna Temple is located near Plaza Espania, Madrid, Spain.
[edit] Hindu Associations in Spain
ASSOCIATION HINDU TENERFI SUR, C/BARRANQUILLO NO. 2, Foto America Los Cristianos, ARONA TENERIFE 38650 , SPAIN
ASOCIACION HINDU DE VALENCIA, Pasaje Dr. Serra, 3 Pta. 1 y 2, VALENCIA, SPAIN
HINDU WOMEN'S ORG. OF T&T INC. 1 Gallus Street, WOODBROOK , SPAIN
HINDI NIDHI FOUNDATION OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 123 Eastern Main Road, ST. AUGUSTINE , SPAIN
SANATAN DHARMA MAHA SABHA, Cor. Eastern Main Road & Dean Street, ST. AUGUSTINE , SPAIN
SHIVA DHARMA SABHA, Penal Junction, PENAL , SPAIN
SATHYA SAI BABA ORGANISATION, c/o ACE Printery, 32 Pasea Main Road, TUNAPUNA , SPAIN
