The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a confederation of seven sheikdoms (regions headed by a sheik or emir), or emirates, located on the shore of the Persian Gulf. Its Bedu (Bedouin) tribes were converted to Islam during the seventh century AD . The following centuries were marked by continual wars and violence between rival dynasties.
After signing two peace treaties with Britain (1820 and 1853), the emirates became known as the Trucial States. The formal relationship established between Britain and the kingdoms of the southern Gulf lasted until 1971. At that time, Bahrain and Qatar became independent states. On December 2, 1971, the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Qaiwain, and Fujairah formed the UAE. In February 1972, the emirate of Ras al-Khaimah united with them as well. Because Abu Dhabi is the largest and most powerful of the seven emirates, its emir is designated the president of the UAE.
The discovery and production of oil in 1962 brought new wealth into the area. Emirians, who had been among the poorest people in the world, soon became some of the wealthiest. Proven oil reserves in Abu Dhabi are estimated to last for another 200 years at the current rate of production.
2 • Location
The UAE is located on the southern coast of the Persian Gulf, and the northwestern coast of the Gulf of Oman. The total area of the UAE is 30,000 square miles (82,880 square kilometers), which is about the size of the state of Maine. Abu Dhabi is by far the largest emirate, and Dubai is the second-largest. The land is mostly desert, with a mountain range in the north and oases scattered across the sands. The emirate of Ras al-Khaimah is called the "garden spot" of the UAE because its land is very fertile.
The population of the UAE is estimated at 2.3 million people. Only about 20 percent (460,000 people) of these are UAE citizens. The rest are foreign workers.
3 • Language
The official language, and the native language of UAE citizens, is Arabic. Languages spoken by foreign workers include English, Hindi, Urdu, Persian, and Tagalog.
"Hello" in Arabic is marhaba or ahlan. Other common greetings are As-salam àlaykum, "Peace be with you," with the reply of Wa àlaykum as-salam, "And to you peace." Ma'assalama means "Goodbye." "Thank you" is Shukran, and "You're welcome" is Àfwan; "yes" is na'am and "no" is la'a. The numbers one to ten in Arabic are: wahad, ithnayn, thalatha, arba'a, khamsa, sitta, saba'a, thamanya, tisa'a, and àshara.
4 • Folklore
Pearl divers in Abu Dhabi traditionally left their homes during the entire four-month pearling season. The following folk song depicts the hope and patience of an Emirian woman awaiting the safe return of her loved one:
Neighbor of mine, my adventurous sailor shall return.
Neighbor of mine, he shall return from the world of dangers.
With perfumes, precious stones, rose-water, and incense he shall return.
He shall return, and to see him again will be like seeing the Moon.
5 • Religion
Native-born Emirians are all Muslims (followers of Islam). Most of the foreign workers are also Muslims, although there are also Hindus and Christians. The majority of Emirians are Sunni Muslim, with a small Shi'ah minority.
The Islamic religion has five "pillars," or practices, that must be observed by all Muslims: (1) praying five times a day; (2) giving alms, or zakat, to the poor; (3) fasting during the month of Ramadan ; (4) making the pilgrimage, or hajj, to Mecca; and (5) reciting the shahada (ashhadu an la illah ila Allah wa ashhadu in Muhammadu rasul Allah ), which means "I witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the prophet of Allah."
6 • Major holidays
Secular national holidays include National Day (December 2), and New Year's Day (January 1). The emirates also celebrate their own holidays. For example, in Abu Dhabi August 6 is a holiday marking the accession of Shaykh Zayed. Other official holidays are Muslim ones. There are two main Muslim holidays: Eid Al-Fitr is a three-day festival at the end of the holy month of fasting, Ramadan. Eid Al-Adha is a three-day feast of sacrifice at the end of the month of pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca. Families who can afford it slaughter a lamb and share the meat with poorer Muslims. Other holidays are the First of Muharram, or the Muslim New Year; al-Mawlid An-Nabi, the Prophet Muhammad's birthday; and Eid al-Isra wa al-Miraj, a feast celebrating Muhammad's nocturnal visit to heaven. Friday is the Islamic day of rest, so most businesses and services are closed. All government offices, private businesses, and schools are also closed during Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.