Iranians in the United Arab Emirates

Iranians in the United Arab Emirates
Total population
(500,000 (2015)[1]
5.2% of the UAE population[1])
Regions with significant populations
Abu Dhabi · Dubai
Languages
Persian · English · Arabic
Religion
Predominately Shi'a Islam

Iranians in the United Arab Emirates are Emirati citizens or residents of the United Arab Emirates of Iranian national background. The community accounts for 5% of the country's population.

Demographics

Due to the geographical proximity between Iran and the United Arab Emirates, Persians were the first major group of foreign settlers in the region, with a history dating back to the 1810s.[2] The UAE is currently home to 500,000 Iranian expatriates, most of whom live in Dubai.[3] The Iranian Club in Dubai is the main social club of Iranian expatriates in the country.

Business and organisations

There are an estimated 8,000 Iranian-backed businesses in Dubai.[4] Iranians have invested over $300 billion into the country.[5] There is an Iranian Business Council - Dubai. There is also an Iranian Hospital in Dubai.

Iran maintains an embassy in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai.

Religion

There are two notable Iranian mosques: the Iranian Mosque in Bur Dubai and the Iranian Mosque in Satwa.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "UAE´s population – by nationality". BQ Magazine. 12 April 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
  2. ↑ "Negotiating Change: The New Politics of the Middle East". Jeremy Jones. 2007. pp. 184–186.
  3. ↑ "UAE soldiers to learn Persian". Alarabiya.net. 2011-04-09. Retrieved 2012-12-10.
  4. ↑ http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4cda158e-8eb1-11df-8a67-00144feab49a,dwp_uuid=be75219e-940a-11da-82ea-0000779e2340.html
  5. ↑ Middle East Online: UAE open for Iran business as US seeks to choke Tehran
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