United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates (Formerly known as “Pirate Coast” or “The Trucial States”)

‫ݭ‬

Emirate or sheikhdom –

‫ݭ‬

Emir or sheikh –

‫ݭ‬

Emiris or emiratis –

an independent and self-government state heridetary chief of an

emirate

citizens

term for their

7 4

(listed from largest to smallest state)

1. Abu Dhabi (a.k.a. Abu Zaby) 2. Dubai (or Dubayy) 3. Sharhaj (a.k.a. Ash Shariqah) 4. Umm al Qaywayn 5. Ajman the 6. Al Fajayrah 7. Ras al Khaymah seventh

emirate joined the U.A.E. in 1972

these states formed the United Arab Emirates on December 2, 1971

1

5

3

2

6

* Supposed to be, Qatar and Bahrain is included in the federation of states. However, the two back out from the federation in 1971, opted for their own independence.

Geography ‫ݣ‬

Description: United Arab Emirates is a desert country, which is roughly crescent-shaped

‫ݣ‬

Capital: Abu Dhabi City (in Abu Dhabi Emirate)

‫ݣ‬

Size: from N to S(420 km) from E to W (480 km) about the size of North Carolina

‫ݣ‬

Borders: N – Persian Gulf S & W – Saudi Arabia E- Oman and Oman Gulf

Geography

Geography Population: 4,789,491 estimated (2009) (population growth is due to influx of foreign workers brought about by oil resources) Climate: >very hot and dry in summer (July and August are the hottest; up to 40oc) >relatively cool in winter (January and February; 17oc – 20oc) >rainfall is infrequent and is largely confined ti the mountains >sandstorms occur frequently Currency: UAE dirhams ($ 1 = 3.6725 dirhams) Natural resources: oil and natural gas   *U.A.E.’s oil reserve = 1/10 of the world’s total

People a. Native Emiris ‫ي‬

These are Arabs

‫ي‬

Many are city and town dwellers

‫ي‬

Some are nomads

b. Non-native Arabs ‫ي‬

Iranians

‫ي‬

Jordanians

‫ي‬

Palestinians

‫ي‬

Egyptians

c. Non-Native foreigners (50% are Asians) ‫ي‬

Largely Indians

‫ي‬

Pakistanis

‫ي‬

Sri Lankans

‫ي‬

Bangladeshis

‫ي‬

Filipinos

Language and Religion ‫ﻈ‬ ‫ﻈ‬ ‫ﻈ‬

Arabic – official language English – widely spoken Hindi – language of business Islam – country’s official religion (80% are Sunni Muslims and 20% are Sjia Muslims)

 

*the constitution guarantees religious freedom *other religions are Hinduism and Christianity

Government Federal Government Type of government in UAE The seven emirates has it’s own government which functions in tandem with the federal government The legal system is based on Sharia (Islamic Law) Citizens do not pay taxes They do receive generous social welfare benefits, including free medical care (due to UAE’s oil wealth) The people enjoy very high standard of living

Government

Dubai Healthcare City is a city specifically designated for clinical and wellness services, medical education and research launched by the government to attract global companies to the city

Government Supreme Federal Council

‫ ﺶ‬Highest

political authority in UAE

‫ ﺶ‬Consisted

of the seven Emirs (from each emirate)

‫ ﺶ‬Establishes

general UAE policies

‫ ﺶ‬Meets

fourtimes a year

‫ ﺶ‬There

are no political parties and popular elections

‫ ﺶ‬Instead,

the Emirs themselves will chose from among themselves who will be the next president

‫ ﺶ‬Often,

the president has always been the emir from Abu Dhabi while the vie president is from Dubai

‫ ﺶ‬Current

president: Sheikh Khalifa ibn Zayid Al Nuhayyan

Culture Ritual

Eid al-Fitr (end of ramadan) & Eid al-Adha (feast of sacrifice) 

These festivals mark the end of the Ramadan (which is the month of fasting and the conclusion of the hajj or pilgrimage of Mecca on the Islamic Calendar)

Culture 

Clothing

Dishdasha/thawb ‫ ﻲ‬Clothing for emiri men ‫ ﻲ‬A white loose-fitting garment that is comfortable in hot and dry climate Abaya and Burka ‫ ﻲ‬Clothing for women ‫ ﻲ‬Abaya – black overgarment covering most parts of the body ‫ ﻲ‬Burka – a face mask Western-style clothing ‫ ﻲ‬Fairly popular, esp. among the youth

Male clothing

Female clothing (abaya and burka)

Culture Cuisine  Fond

of eating seafoods (location-related)  Muslims are prohibited to eat pork  Popular beverages are tea and coffee

Culture Sport

The Annual Dubai World Cup –

one of the richest events in sport due to the country’s strong horse racing tradition

 

Culture 

Etiquette

Etiquette is an important aspect of the UAE culture and tradition. The visitors here are expected to show manners and etiquette. Recently, many expatriates have not been respecting the laws, and have been arrested, for not wearing enough clothing at beaches, some even being completely nude.  An Islamic greeting (al-salam alaykom) is the most appropriate, and men follow this with a quick nose-tonose touch while shaking hands.  Women greet each other by kissing several times on both cheeks.  Men normally do not shake hads with women in public. 

Disputes with Other Countries ‫ ﱯ‬Before, there was strong rivalries among the emirates

‫ﱯ‬

Border disputes with Saudi Arabia and Oman

‫ﱯ‬

The UAE has also been cooperating closely with the United States and its allies to defeat Iraq in the1991 Persian Gulf

‫ﱯ‬

During 1971, Iran and UAE fought over the islands of Abu Inusa, Tunb al Kubra (greater Tunb), and Tunb al Sughra (lesser Tunb), all of which are in the Persian Gulf. Result: in December 2006, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) urged Iran to peacefully give up the islands to UAE.

Disputes with Other Countries

History 

“Pirate Coast” – former name of UAE reflecting the major occupation of its inhabitants The inhabitants are mostly pirates that harassed any foreign shipping that passes the Persian Gulf



“Trucial States” – another former name of UAE in reference to a 19th-century “truce” between Britain and Arab Emirs The purpose of the truce was to end plundering of the pirates Also, to safeguard British maritime routes, particularly those of the British East India Company. But some historians have noted that the war was in fact motivated by the British desire to establish supremacy in the region against the claims of other European powers.



The truce continued until 1971.

Independence March 1971 – the UK announced its decision to end the treaty relationships with the seven Trucial states, which have been together with the Bahrain and Qatar, under British protection. 

The nine (7 trucial states, Bahrain, and Qatar) attempted to form a union of Arab Emirates, but by mid-1971 they were unable to agree on terms of union.



Bahrain became independent in August 1971 and Qatar in September 1971.



December 2, 1971 – the six trucial states became a federation called United Arab Emirates.



1972- the Ras al Khaymah joined the federation.

END…….