The United Arab Emirates is a federal state in the Middle East,
consisting of seven emirates, each of which is a state - an absolute
monarchy: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Ras al-Khaimah, Umm al-Qaiwain,
Fujairah and Sharjah. Some of the listed emirates fall under the
definition of a dwarf state.
The state is headed by the
President of the United Arab Emirates, who is the Emir of the
largest emirate of Abu Dhabi. The capital of the United Arab
Emirates is also the eponymous capital of this emirate.
Such
a key role of the emirate of Abu Dhabi, the largest and richest of
the emirates, is largely due to the fact that the administrative
structure of the UAE is based on the right of each emirate to
dispose of hydrocarbon reserves on its territory. Thus, in fact, in
accordance with oil reserves, the influence of certain emirates in
determining the general policy of the country is distributed. For
example, the Emir of Dubai is the head of the government of the UAE.
The UAE is located in the southwestern part of Asia, the eastern
part of the Arabian Peninsula. It borders on Saudi Arabia in the
west and south, with Oman in the southeast and northeast (Omani
semi-enclave Musandam Governorate and its full enclave, Musandama
Madha Vilayet). It is washed by the waters of the Persian and Oman
Gulfs.
The population of the UAE for 2020 is 10,207,863
people, the vast majority of which (up to 70%) are workers from
South and Southeast Asia. The indigenous population is mainly
represented by Sunni Muslims.
The country has large oil
reserves, the export of which made up a significant part of GDP
(56.4% in 1980, 41.1% in 1995) and due to the diversification of the
economy, the share of the oil and gas industry in GDP by 2009-2013
remained below 40%.
Entry requirements
For stays of up to 30 days, a visa is not
necessary for Germans and other Western foreigners. A “visa” is issued
upon entry, but this is nothing more than an entry stamp. There is also
no fee and no forms to fill out. The residence permit can be extended
for up to 60 days for a fee.
The importation of even small
amounts of drugs and numerous medications into the United Arab Emirates
is prohibited. Violators face long prison sentences. A list of banned
substances (non-exhaustive!) can be found here.
By plane
There
are flight connections from Frankfurt am Main to Dubai and Abu Dhabi,
among others. Both are important hubs to/from Asia.
Car
Traveling from Europe by car is extremely time-consuming. The
international driving license and a Carnet de Passage are required. You
can enter Oman by rental car. However, this requires separate insurance,
which you can get from the car rental company. Unfortunately, the fees
for this are often quite high.
By boat
There are weekly ferry
connections from Sharjah to Bandar-e-Abbas and from Dubai to Bushher in
Iran. It should be noted that any residual alcohol should be gone before
reaching Iranian territory.
Abus Dhabi and Dubai are often the
starting and ending points of cruises.
Although there are some bus connections between the big cities and
into Oman, the normal tourist should still rent a car if they want to
see something of the country. Car traffic is very dense in Dubai and the
surrounding area, and long journey times are to be expected. Once you
leave this area, however, it is very thin. The intercity roads are
usually four lanes wide. Most Emiratis drive in a relatively civilized
manner, but there are more so-called "crazy people" who drive without
any consideration for other road users than in Europe.
Fuel is
very cheap (around 25 euro cents per liter). Gasoline is usually sold by
the gallon. The maximum permitted speed is 120km/h - most rental cars
have a built-in warning bell that rings unmistakably if this is
exceeded. Otherwise, it is advisable to stick to the restrictions, as
there are significantly more flashlights than in Germany. An
international driving license is required to rent a car in all emirates
except Dubai. It is also advisable to present one when renting in Dubai,
otherwise it will be noted in the rental agreement that the car is not
allowed to leave this emirate!
The official language is Arabic, the guest workers speak their respective home languages. At least on the coast you can get by with English everywhere.
The national currency is the dirham (abbreviation AED). A dirham is
divided into 100 fils. There are 25 and 50 fils and 1 dirham coins as
hard money. There are also 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 dirham
notes. For one euro you currently get around 4.6 AED. Some older 200
dirham notes are still in circulation. The dirham is the currency of the
United Arab Emirates and is therefore also valid in the neighboring
emirates.
The UAE is the region's shopping paradise. From the
gold souk in Dubai to gigantic shopping malls the size of which even
exceeds those in America, everything is there. The prices for clothing
and electronics are e.g. T. significantly cheaper than in Europe. In the
gold souk and in shops particularly frequented by tourists you should
know the prices, otherwise e.g. Sometimes absurdly overpriced prices are
charged.
A 5% VAT was introduced at the beginning of 2018. If
there is a shortage of small change (which is always the case), shops
are allowed to add money to the nearest round half-dirham.
Possession and consumption of alcohol without a license was
decriminalized in 2021. Except in the Emirate of Sharjah, people over 21
are allowed to purchase alcoholic beverages.
The cuisine in the Emirates is very diverse. You can find a variety of different international restaurants, especially in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Most of them are located in hotels and are therefore a little more expensive than normal restaurants. There is usually a special dress code here, i.e. no open shoes or sneakers and no shorts for men. We highly recommend a visit to the Lebanese restaurant, which you can then end comfortably with a shisha. Emiratis are also big coffee drinkers. Chains like Starbucks etc. are omnipresent, especially in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Although the Emirates is an Islamic country, you can get alcoholic drinks in the restaurants and hotels there. Every now and then you see an Arab sitting in a hotel bar with a beer. Only in the Emirate of Sharjah is the serving of alcohol - even to tourists - prohibited. However, you should be careful not to consume alcohol in public or to appear drunk or to exchange affectionate feelings.
There are a variety of hotels, but they are usually relatively expensive. Expect prices to start at around €60 per night. Hotels in Sharjah tend to be slightly cheaper than in Dubai.
One of the most important Islamic festivals is Ramadan First (March
22, 2023) and Last (April 21, 2023). During this time the clocks run a
little slower. The restaurants only open after sunset. Eating, drinking,
smoking, chewing gum, wearing perfume, etc. is not permitted after
sunrise to sunset. Nevertheless, you should visit the UAE at this time.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are rather relaxed about the strict requirements
during Ramadan for Western/non-Muslims. In hotels you can also get
drinks and food during the day, behind privacy screens. During this time
you can get particularly cheap flights and hotel accommodation. For
example, you can get a room that would otherwise cost around €170 per
person per night. B. from €170 per double room/night (Dubai). A special
experience during Ramadan is the Iftar, the evening prayer at sunset and
the subsequent festivities.
January 1st: New Year
January 6:
Assumption of power by His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
(Ruler of Abu Dhabi and Head of State of the UAE)
December 2nd:
National holiday
Since 2006, the weekend begins on Friday and
ends on Saturday (previously Thursday - Friday).
The Emirates are extremely safe. Simple crime is almost non-existent.
Risks for visitors arise more from the general lack of acceptance of
security measures (safety). During the refueling process, the time can
be used to take a cigarette break while making a cell phone call; The
vehicle's engine is running (otherwise the air conditioning would be
off). On the road connecting Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Shaikh Zayed Road,
serious traffic accidents with injuries and often deaths occur every
day. Safety equipment such as fire extinguishers and fire alarm systems
are sometimes poorly maintained or not maintained at all, even in large
hotels.
Unmarried couples have been allowed to live together
since 2021, and at the same time the possibility of civil (non-Islamic)
marriage was introduced. The birth of a child out of wedlock is still
punishable unless joint custody is declared. Homosexual acts are a
criminal offense throughout the United Arab Emirates; this also applies
to aircraft flying the Arab flag for the period between take-off and
landing. Men traveling together should also not book double rooms in
hotels and other accommodations.
The consumption of alcoholic
beverages in public remains prohibited. Staying in public while
intoxicated can lead to temporary arrest. Each emirate regulates the
conditions under which alcohol may be sold. A list of relevant stores in
Dubai. Expect to pay €10-15 for beer at the hotel bar.
In any
accident, even if no other vehicle was involved, the police should be
called. Otherwise the case will be punished as a hit-and-run. There are
screened seating and standing areas for women and children in buses and
the Dubai Metro. These can be used by all women, including tourists, but
there is no obligation to use the screened women's areas in buses or the
Dubai Metro.
It should be noted that some medications available in Europe (e.g.
codeine!) are illegal in the Emirates. Be sure to find out more about
the regulations before you travel - arrests for “illegal drug
possession” have already happened!
On the other hand, many
medications that require a prescription in Europe are available over the
counter in the Emirates, such as: B. many antibiotics.
Don't be
afraid of tropical diseases (such as malaria). The same diseases prevail
in the UAE as in Germany.
The standard of medical care is very
high. Medical care (doctors and hospitals) is also partly free for
foreigners. In the event of illness, a foreigner only pays from the
third visit to the doctor.
The climate in the United Arab Emirates is subtropical to tropical. It is very dry and hot, and temperatures vary greatly between day and night. The best time to travel to the United Arab Emirates is November to April. In summer, temperatures often climb above 40 °C, which makes staying outside very difficult.
In order to work here, you absolutely need a residence visa. Without
this you are not even allowed to work for free. You get a residence visa
from an employer. This requires a blood test to check for AIDS,
hepatitis and the like. If the test is positive, you will be expelled
from the country.
After receiving your own visa, you can apply
for a residence visa for spouses and children relatively easily. To do
this you need 1000 AED processing fee, a certified copy of the marriage
or birth certificate in Arabic, 4 passport photos and a salary
certificate from the employer, also in Arabic. The minimum salary must
be AED 5000 per month and you must belong to approved professional
groups (this professional group must be listed on your visa). The
results of a blood test must also be available for each family member.
This can be done for a fee of AED 500 at the Preventive Medicine
Department at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City.
The importation of
even small amounts of drugs and numerous medications into the United
Arab Emirates is prohibited. In addition to the usual drugs that are
also banned in Europe, this regulation particularly affects some
psychotropic drugs, strong painkillers and numerous cold medicines with
codeine additives. Violators face long prison sentences. If the
medication was prescribed by a doctor, a written certificate from the
doctor (and, if necessary, a certified translation) must be carried. The
safest way is to have the medication and medical certificate confirmed
and approved in writing by the consulate before entering the country.
Recently it has been observed that the rules regarding “disorderly
behavior” in public are being applied more strictly again. This
includes, above all, the exchange of affection (including kisses) in
public as well as any type of public intoxication through alcohol or
drugs. That's why you avoid both and retreat to your own hotel room if
necessary.
Boat tours should avoid the area of the islands of Abu
Moussa, Greater Tumb and Lesser Tumb in the Strait of Hormuz area. The
area is also claimed by Iran. The Iranian offense of “violating Iranian
territorial waters and illegal immigration” threatens prison sentences
of several years.
During the fasting month of Ramadan, public
eating, drinking and smoking are prohibited during the day. This also
applies to members of non-Islamic religions. The bars and restaurants in
some hotels are excluded.
Different countries, different customs - despite all the
internationality and tolerance - of course also apply to the Emirates.
The Emirates are predominantly Muslim. Accordingly, film and photo
cameras should be used carefully. Questioning eye contact goes without
saying before every picture. Photographing women can be more difficult.
It is definitely advisable to ask briefly (“Mumkin?” - “possible?,” i.e.
allowed?).
From a German perspective, it may sometimes seem as if
some Emiratis themselves have “no manners” (standing in queues, etc.).
It should be borne in mind that German and Emirati cultures are
fundamentally different in many respects. In the Emirates there is
queuing, for example. B. a strange European habit that they still don't
understand. It's not important who got there first, what's more
important is who's in the hurry and is higher in rank. And if you take a
closer look at the hustle and bustle, you will notice that women
generally have priority. In any case, you should basically remember that
there is no such thing as international rules of etiquette and respect
the customs of the respective country, just as you would like your own
customs to be respected.
There are some important rules of
conduct:
You should not wear shorts despite high temperatures. To
Arabs, this looks like walking around in your underpants.
Women
should also have clothing covering at least their shoulders and knees.
There is no obligation to wear a headscarf.
Bikinis are only allowed
on private hotel beaches.
If possible, men should not approach
strange Arab women. Exception: women at their workplaces.
Women are
not allowed to shake hands; among men, a firm handshake is considered an
insult.
Eating with your left hand is taboo.
In every traffic
accident, even if another vehicle is not involved, the police must be
called in.
The consumption of alcoholic beverages in public is
strictly prohibited, but alcohol consumption is permitted for
non-Muslims in hotel areas and on private hotel beaches.
Anyone who
is under the influence of alcohol and attracts attention in public will
receive a prison sentence of at least 24 hours.
Homosexuality is a
criminal offense in the UAE. Men traveling together should not book
double rooms in hotels and other accommodations to protect themselves
from conflict and prosecution.
While the muezzin is singing, it is
not allowed to listen to music, make phone calls or use a smartphone,
not even to write mass messages.
Nothing can be placed on a Quran.
Almost all prices are subject to negotiation. The rule of thumb is: the
dealer states his price, you counter with half and then meet in the
middle.
Patience is a virtue that one must have when coming to this
country. Everything takes a long time and anyone who believes that
Germany is bureaucratic will think carefully about their position when
they get home.
If you prefer toilet paper to a water hose, you would
be well advised to carry a roll with you. Although there is always paper
in hotels, it is not very common in private households.
It is
extremely rude to refuse an offer of a drink.
Invitations from Arabs
are often only meant seriously if they are expressed at least three
times.
Arabs are very friendly people. It's natural for them to offer
help, even if they can't or don't actually want to. This means that
promises are often made but then not kept. This is part of Arab culture
and is not meant in a bad way.
The Emirates is a very international country. Unskilled, temporary
workers and skilled workers from abroad make up around 70% of the
population (Dubai 80%). Communication in English is almost always
possible in cities and is usually possible in the countryside.
The GSM mobile network is covered by two operators: Emirates
Integrated Telecommunications Company PJSC (DU) and Emirates Telecom
Corp-ETISALAT. Prepaid cards are offered for both networks.
For
longer stays or desert tours, we recommend a satellite phone from
Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Co. Regular use of Thuraya may be
cheaper than the landline or GSM. This is especially true for Thuraya to
Thuraya connections, e.g. B. from Europe to expatriates working in the
Emirate of Sharjah. Here it is sometimes even free to use. The Thuraya
satellites are the largest sea-launched communications satellites to
date (from US ships in the Pacific). Devices can be rented in almost all
European countries. These are slightly larger and heavier than modern
“cell phones” and can also process conventional GSM (when roaming).
Since January 2018, the use of VoIP telephony (i.e. via Skype or
WhatsApp) has no longer been possible. For “reasons of state security”,
only the service of the state telephone company with its corresponding
app (chargeable for UAE residents) can be used.
post
The
postage for a postcard to Europe is 3 dirhams.
Archaeological finds at Sila are 7,000 years old.
Further
finds on the island of Umm an-Nar near Abu Dhabi indicate settlement as
early as the 4th millennium BC. Close. At Al-Ain there was also evidence
of a ca. 2500 BC dated culture that mined and traded copper in the Hajar
Mountains. Long-distance trade was boosted by the domestication of the
camel at the end of the 2nd millennium BC.
The land route from
Syria to what is now southern Iraq was followed by the sea route across
the Persian Gulf to India, including via the important port of Omana
(probably today's Umm al-Qaiwain). Pearl diving has been an important
industry since ancient times. Large fairs were held in Dibba, among
other places, which were attended by merchants from the region and even
China.
Along the ancient trade routes to India, Christianity spread to the
southern part of the Persian Gulf in the 6th century. The Christian
monastery of Sir Bani Yas, discovered in the 1990s on an offshore island
(Sir Bani Yas Island), existed until the 8th century and was apparently
abandoned without any armed conflict. In 630, messengers from the
Prophet Mohammed arrived from Mecca and converted the local tribes to
Islam. After the death of Muhammad in 632, they broke off the alliance
and broke away from the new religion. The decisive battle of the
subsequent Ridda Wars took place in Dibba and brought the defeat of the
apostate non-Muslims and the final triumph of Islam on the Arabian
Peninsula.
In 637, Julfar (now Ras al-Khaimah) was one of the
starting points for the invasion of Persia and in the following
centuries developed into a rich port and the center of the pearl trade,
with dhows sailing throughout the Indian Ocean.
In the 7th
century the coast came under the influence of the Kharijites. From the
9th to 11th centuries the area belonged to the Shiite Qarmatian state.
At the beginning of the 16th century, the area came under direct
influence of the Ottoman Empire, which was soon displaced by the
Portuguese, who built bases in the Gulf to secure the trade route to
India. In his search for the "spice route" to Asia, which eventually led
him to India, Vasco da Gama relied on the help of Ahmad ibn Majid, a
navigator and cartographer from Julfar.
The Portuguese controlled
the Persian Gulf until they were driven out by Omani tribes around 1650.
From the “Pirate” to the “Treaty Coast”
In 1747, the Qawasim
Bedouins settled on the southern Gulf Coast and took advantage of the
power vacuum in the Gulf to engage in not only pearl fishing, but also
piracy against merchant shipping, leading to the name "Pirate Coast."
The centers were the ports of Sharjah and Ras al-Khaimah. By 1780, the
Qawasim's power had grown so much that they were able to muster a fleet
of 60 ships with 20,000 sailors, which meant that they also dominated
large parts of the Persian Gulf coast and threatened Oman's trade. Omani
counterattacks were unsuccessful.
Since piracy threatened the
Indian trade, Great Britain undertook several punitive expeditions
between 1806 and 1819, which culminated in a peace treaty with all the
emirates in 1820. Nevertheless, there were repeated attacks on merchant
ships until a “perpetual maritime peace” was declared in 1853. The
Emirates gradually became British protectorates and were referred to as
“Peaceful Oman”, “Treaty Soman” or “Treaty Coast” (Trucial States).
An 1892 treaty between Great Britain and a number of Gulf emirates
cemented the close ties and stipulated that the sheikhs were not allowed
to alienate territory or enter into relations with other states without
British consent. In return, Britain vowed to protect the “Treaty Coast”
against attacks from sea and land.
With the assumption of power by Sheikh Shakbuth bin Diab in 1793, the
Al Nahyan family from the Bani Yas tribe moved from the inland oasis of
Liwa to Abu Dhabi (founded in 1761), which had developed into an
important pearl fishing center. There he founded a fort and expanded his
power to the oasis of al Ain. Despite their new capital on the coast,
the root and heart of the Bani Yas tribes lay in their Bedouin roots.
The Qawasim formed the second major tribal group. This tribe
controlled a large part of the northern Emirates. Their strengths were
less pearl diving than trade and seafaring.
A few decades later,
another branch of the Bani Yas migrated north, split off from the family
and founded Dubai in the area of today's creek in 1833 (the settlement
of Bar Dubai is first mentioned in 1822), which not only operated pearl
fishing, but also became an important trading center. Pearl fishing and
trading were one of the most important industries until well into the
20th century. The Great Depression of 1929 and the spread of cheap
cultured pearls from Japan led to the decline of the Gulf pearl
industry.
In the following years there were repeated, sometimes
armed, conflicts between the tribes.
In the early 1930s, the first oil companies obtained concessions to
drill in the Trucial States. Oil was discovered on a large scale in the
early 1960s and the first shipload was exported from Abu Dhabi in 1962.
Unlike his predecessor and first-born brother, Sheikh Shakhbut bin
Sultan Al Nahyan, from 1966 onwards, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
of Abu Dhabi used the increasing income from oil production for an
extensive development program from which the poorer neighboring emirates
also benefited. After Dubai also began exporting oil in 1969, Sheikh
Rashid bin Said Al Maktoum, de facto ruler of the emirate since 1939,
was able to use the new wealth to improve the quality of life of his
people.
From 1955 onwards, Great Britain helped settle Abu Dhabi's disputes
with Saudi Arabia over the emirate's southern border. In 1952, the
Saudis, who already had large cash reserves from trading oil, offered
Sheikh Zayed $42 million - for years this was considered the largest
bribe ever paid to an individual - if he gave up the fight against their
claim to Buraimi. The later founder of the UAE refused the sum on the
grounds that he was only interested in the well-being of his people.
An improvement in relations between Saudi Arabia and the UAE
occurred when Faisal ibn Abd al-Aziz took over the Saudi government and
Sheikh Zayed became ruler of Abu Dhabi in 1966. In 1974, both signed a
border agreement that ended the 170-year battle over the Buraimi area.
Immediately afterwards, Saudi Arabia recognized the UAE. As part of this
agreement, the connection (port of Khor al Udaid and other oil-bearing
lands) between Qatar and Abu Dhabi was severed. In 1974, the two
countries reached an agreement that settled these disputes. However, it
has not yet been ratified by the UAE government and the Saudi government
does not recognize it. The border between the two states is therefore
largely a de facto border. The exact border line has not played a major
role so far, as there is a sandy desert in the border area.
The
border with Oman at the Al-Ain/Buraimi Oasis, which is also
controversial, has not yet been officially defined, but the two
governments agreed to mark it in May 1999.
From 1952 onwards, with the advent of oil production, closer
cooperation between the Emirates developed. Over the course of the
1960s, British oil companies increasingly lost influence to US
companies.
The existing British Office for Development was
replaced by the Trucial States Council, a coordinating council
established by the rulers of the Emirates, of which Adi Bitar, legal
advisor to Sheikh Rashid bin Said Al Maktoum, was appointed as Secretary
General and Legal Adviser.
Britain announced the East of Suez
Policy in 1967, under which it would withdraw from its military bases
and other commitments east of the Suez Canal by the end of 1971. This
would mean that the protection agreements with the areas on the Persian
Gulf - in addition to the Trucial States also Bahrain and Qatar - would
end on December 31, 1971.
The rulers of Abu Dhabi and Dubai
decided to unite their emirates into a union, have a constitution
drafted (by Adi Bitar), and then invite the rulers of the other five
emirates to join the union.
On December 2, 1971, Great Britain
granted independence to the Trucial States. The rulers of Abu Dhabi,
Ajman, Fujairah, Sharjah, Dubai and Umm al-Qaiwain met on the same day.
Under the leadership and mediation of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan,
they founded the United Arab Emirates, with Sheikh Zayed himself as
president, which joined the United Nations a week later, on December
9th. On February 11, 1972, Ras al-Khaimah joined the UAE as the seventh
and final emirate of the former Trucial States.
The Gulf Cooperation Council was founded in 1981 with Saudi Arabia,
Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman. After Iraq's annexation of Kuwait in
August 1990, the UAE supported UN efforts to liberate the country. The
UAE air bases were used by the Western allies as a base for military
strikes against Iraq during the Second Gulf War. Defense alliances were
concluded with the USA and France in 1994 and 1995, respectively.
The UAE supports US and other coalition forces in their operations
in Afghanistan, where the UAE has also deployed troops, as well as in
Iraq and in the fight against terror, primarily from Al Dhafra Air Base.
On November 2, 2004, the first president and founder of the UAE,
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, died. His eldest son, Sheikh Khalifa
bin Zayed Al Nahyan, succeeded him as ruler of Abu Dhabi; In addition,
the Supreme Council of Rulers elected him President of the UAE in
accordance with the constitution. Sheikh Muhammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a
brother of Sheikh Khalifa, accordingly became Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
In January 2006, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of
Dubai and Prime Minister of the UAE, died; His brother, Crown Prince
Sheikh Muhammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, succeeded him. In May 2022,
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan died.
In early January 2023,
it was announced that Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry
and Advanced Technologies and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Abu Dhabi
National Oil Company (ADNOC), the UAE's state oil company, would chair
the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP 28) from November 30th to
December 12th, 2023 in Dubai, the capital of the Emirate of Dubai.
The United Arab Emirates occupy a territory in the northeastern
part of the Arabian Peninsula, washed by the Persian Gulf. On land,
the United Arab Emirates borders Saudi Arabia to the south and west,
and Oman to the east. The northern coast is opposite Iran across the
Persian Gulf, while Qatar is only 50 km to the northwest. Together,
these emirates occupy an area about the same size as Portugal. The
emirate of Abu Dhabi accounts for 85% of the area of all the United
Arab Emirates; and the smallest of the emirates - Ajman - only 250
km².
Most of the territory of the United Arab Emirates is
occupied by the desert (Rub al-Khali) - one of the largest areas in
the world covered with sand. There are salt deposits in the coastal
regions of the United Arab Emirates. The mountainous relief is
characteristic of the northern and eastern regions of the country.
Representatives of the fauna are the Arabian leopard and the Arabian
oryx returned to nature, more often you can see one-humped camels
and wild goats. During the spring and autumn migrations of birds
flying from Central Asia and East Africa, one can observe their
large concentrations in the north of the country. Outside the
mountainous regions in the emirates of Fujairah and Ras al-Khaimah,
much of the vegetation is the result of the government's greening
program in the country: even the date palm groves in the Buraimi
oasis on the country's eastern border have been imported from
municipal parks.
Climate
The climate of the country is
very hot and dry (tropical desert). There are often sandstorms. The
average maximum in the shade during the summer months is
approximately 40-45°C, but often reaches 50°C. Winter temperature:
20-23 °C during the day, colder at night, but frosts are extremely
rare. Precipitation is irregular, mainly from November to May, the
annual rate is about 100 mm.
Despite the unfavorable desert
climate for flora, the world's largest flower park is open in Dubai.
Population
According to the CIA World Factbook, the
population of the UAE, as of July 2021, was 9,856,612 people. The
United Nations estimated the country's total population as of
mid-2019 to be 9,771,000; Immigrants make up 87.9% of the country's
total population. According to an estimate for 2015, 11.6% of the
population of the UAE are Emirati, South Asians - 59.4% (including
38.2% Indians, 9.5% Bangladeshis, 9.4% Pakistanis, 2.3% - citizens
other countries of South Asia), Egyptians - 10.2%, Filipinos - 6.1%,
citizens of other countries - 12.8%.
The official language is
Arabic, but English, Hindi, Malayalam, Urdu, Pashto, Tagalog and
Persian are also widely used. Urban population - 87.3% (2021).
88% of the population of the Emirates is concentrated in cities.
The largest and fastest growing city is Dubai with a population of
over 2.5 million. Other major cities are Abu Dhabi (the capital),
Sharjah, Al Ain and Fujairah. The total fertility rate for 2021 is
1.65 births per woman. Literacy - 93.8%; men - 93.1%, women - 95.8%
(2015). About 14.45% of the population is under the age of 15 years,
83.65% - from 15 to 65 years old, 1.9% - over 65 years old. In 2021,
the birth rate was estimated at 10.87 per 1000 of the population,
the death rate - 1.51 per 1000, immigration - -3.18 per 1000, the
population growth was 0.62%. Infant mortality - 5.25 per 1000
newborns. The life expectancy of the population, as of 2021, is
79.37 years (for men - 78.04 years, and for women - 80.78 years).
The average age of the population, as of 2020, is 38.4 years (men -
40.4 years, women - 31.5 years). 85% of those living in the country
are not citizens of the UAE. Arab immigrants are represented mainly
by Arabs from other Arab countries with a low standard of living
(Yemen, Iraq, Egypt, Sudan). There are immigrants from the countries
of East and Central Africa, mainly from Somalia, Ethiopia, Tanzania
and Eritrea.
Emirates population according to censuses and
latest official estimates.
Almost all citizens of the UAE are Muslims, 85% of which are Sunnis
and 15% are Shiites. According to the migration services of the
Emirates, approximately 55% of immigrants are also Muslims, 25% are
Hindus, 10% are Christians, and 5% are Buddhists. The other 5% are Sikh
and Baha'i minorities. According to a study by the Ministry of Planning,
out of a total of 4.1 million people living in the UAE, including
foreigners, three-quarters are Muslims.
Dubai is the only emirate
that has a gurdwara and a mandir. There are churches in every emirate.
In 2011, the first Orthodox church complex in the history of
Christianity was built on the territory of the United Arab Emirates -
St. Philip the Apostle in Sharjah (Russian Orthodox Church).
Languages
Arabic is the official language of the UAE. English, Hindi,
Urdu, Farsi and Tagalog are also spoken in the country.
Due to
the large influx of Russian-speaking tourists in Dubai, a huge number of
signs and announcements in Russian have appeared, and in tourist
centers, hotels and shops, many speak Russian.
Migration policy
90% of the country's workforce are immigrants from India, Pakistan and
Bangladesh. Political stability, modern infrastructure and economically
favorable situation in the country attract both high-skilled migrants
and low-skilled ones.
To maintain economic growth and a high
standard of living in the country, in 1971 the government introduced a
temporary program for visiting workers, called the "Kafala Sponsorship
System" (hereinafter - Kafala), which allowed foreign citizens and
companies to hire migrants for work.
Since the founding of the United Arab Emirates in 1971, the Emirates
have continually developed their national identity and benefited from a
very high level of political stability for the region. According to the
1971 Provisional Constitution, the UAE is a federation of seven
autonomous emirates. In May 1996, the Federal Supreme Council approved
amendments to the constitution that permanently designated Abu Dhabi as
the capital and made the previously provisional constitution definitive.
The state is defined by the German Foreign Office as a “patriarchal
presidential system with traditional consultation mechanisms”. It is a
combination of traditional and modern elements, with the government
trying to consolidate a strong modernization drive with the preservation
of Islamic and regional traditions.
At the federal level,
constitutional law provides for the Federal Supreme Council, the Federal
Cabinet, a Council of Ministers, a parliament (Federal National Council)
and an independent judiciary, headed by the Federal Supreme Court Court)
stands before. The members of the Supreme Council of Rulers elect the
President and Vice President from among themselves, who each remain in
office for five years until re-election takes place. According to the
1971 unification agreement, the Sheikh of Abu Dhabi holds the
presidency; The Prime Minister usually serves as Vice President.
The Ruling Council has both legislative and executive powers. It
ratifies federal laws and decrees, sets policy guidelines, approves the
nomination of the Prime Minister and accepts his resignation. On the
recommendation of the President, he can also remove the Prime Minister
from office.
The Council of Ministers and the Cabinet, described
in the Constitution as the “executive authority of the Federation”, have
the usual ministerial portfolios and are headed by the Prime Minister.
This is chosen by the President in consultation with the other members
of the Supreme Council of Rulers and is usually the Sheikh of Dubai. The
Prime Minister (since January 4, 2006, Muhammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum)
proposes the ministers, who are appointed by the President.
The
individual emirates, for their part, form the constituent states, whose
succession to the throne is hereditary. From a political point of view,
the UAE is a federally organized constitutional monarchy; In fact, it is
an autocracy in a modern constitutional guise. The member states, for
their part, are absolutist hereditary monarchies.
The Federal National Council (FNC) is the federal parliament. Its
composition is determined by the emirates based on their population.
Since the end of 2006, half of its members have been elected through
indirect elections.
The FNC plays an important role in the
consolidation of the Shura in the UAE and has both a legislative and
supervisory role under the constitution. Its duty is to examine and – if
necessary – amend drafts of all federal laws. He can summon a federal
minister at any time and question him about the efficiency of his
ministry. The chairman of the FNC is elected from among the members.
Since the 2006 United Arab Emirates Federal National Council
elections, the FNC has taken an increasingly proactive role. As part of
the ongoing political reform in the UAE, the Federal National Council is
expected to become a fully elected institution in the long term. The FNC
is a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Arab Parliamentary
Union (APU).
The United Arab Emirates has an administratively
hand-picked electorate to elect half of the members of the Federal
National Council. In 2006, in the first election ever, there were 1,163
female and 6,595 female voters, according to Adams. Since the conditions
for women and men are equal, this is seen here as general active and
passive women's suffrage. A woman was elected to parliament in 2006 and
2011.
In parallel to the federal institutions, each of the seven emirates
has its own government. The complexity of governments varies from
emirate to emirate, depending on factors such as population, area and
level of development.
The largest emirate in terms of area, Abu
Dhabi, has its own central government apparatus, the Executive Council.
This in turn includes various ministries. The Emirate of Abu Dhabi is
divided into two regions: the Western Region and the Eastern Region,
which in turn are led by official representatives of the ruler. The two
largest cities, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, are governed by municipalities,
each of which has a city council reporting to the Department of
Municipalities and Agriculture. A new city authority was created for the
Western Region. The Abu Dhabi National Consultative Council consists of
60 members from leading tribes and families and assumes a role roughly
equivalent to that of the Federal National Council at the federal level.
In the Emirate of Dubai, the Dubai Executive Council, founded in
2003, fulfills similar functions to the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. At
the end of 2006, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the
son of the ruler of Dubai, was appointed chairman of the council. The
Executive Council supports the Emirate's Ruler and Prime Minister of the
UAE, Sheikh Muhammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in preparing development
plans for Dubai and in formulating and implementing laws at the emirate
and federal levels. In recent years, key projects have included the
restructuring of the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority and the Land
Department, both of which play a crucial role in the emirate's rapid
development.
The Emirates of Sharjah and Ajman also have
Executive Councils. Sharjah also has a Consultative Council, which is
responsible for the entire emirate. In its three remote exclaves on the
country's east coast, Sharjah has ceded various powers to local
governments, particularly in Kalba and Khor Fakkan.
A similar
pattern of city councils, ministries, authorities and independent
institutions exists in the other emirates. In the smaller and more
remote localities, the ruler of each emirate can appoint a local
representative, an emir or wali, through whom the concerns of the
residents can be presented to the emirate government. Often the
representatives are members of the leading local tribes.
The competencies of the various federal institutions and their relationships with individual local governments have changed over the years. According to the constitution, rulers can hand over certain powers to the federal government. A historical example of this was the unification of the armed forces in the mid-1970s. To this day, the relationships between federal and local governments are subject to continuous change; Nevertheless, the traditional mechanisms of government remain at their core and continue to evolve.
Traditionally in the UAE, the ruler of an emirate - the sheikh - is
leader of the most powerful, but not necessarily the most populous,
tribe, while each individual tribe has its own leader. The sheikhs could
only maintain their rule as long as they had the support of the people.
An essential part of this process of rule was the unwritten but central
principle that the population should have free access to the sheikh and
that the emir should often hold an open majlis in which every citizen
could freely express his or her opinion.
To date, the institution
of the Majlis has retained its importance in the UAE political system.
In the larger emirates, not only the rulers, but also other high-ranking
members of the ruling families hold regular open majlis meetings in
which anyone interested can raise any topic of personal or more general
interest. In the smaller emirates, the core focus remains on the majlis
of the ruler himself or his heir to the throne or deputy ruler. These
meetings are attended, among others, by traditional-minded tribesmen who
wait months to present their concerns or complaints directly to the
Emir, instead of going through the authorities structured according to
the modern Western model. In this way, the tried and tested methods of
traditional rule have retained their importance and play a core role in
the further development of the political system.
The UAE is a member of the United Nations (UN), the Arab League, the
Organization of Islamic Cooperation (formerly the Organization of the
Islamic Conference), the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries
(OPEC) and the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries
(OAPEC). They are also a founding member of the Gulf Cooperation Council
(GCC) and are also represented in it.
According to Guido
Steinberg, the foreign policy of the United Arab Emirates is
characterized by three main concerns: combating Islamism and political
Islam in the Arab world, containing Iranian expansionist interests and
controlling sea routes from the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea. From the
VAR's perspective, the fight against the Muslim Brotherhood has a
particularly high priority. They apparently financially supported the
military coup in Egypt in 2013 to overthrow the then Egyptian President
Mohammed Morsi, who belonged to the Freedom and Justice Party founded by
the Muslim Brotherhood. The United Arab Emirates was also among a group
of countries that boycotted Qatar from 2017 to 2021, accusing the
emirate of supporting the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamist
terrorist groups.
Saudi Arabia has been one of the Emirates' most
important allies since the UAE's founding. In the 1970s, the border
between Saudi Arabia and the UAE was made mandatory. However, the exact
borderline was not initially published. In 1995 the treaty was submitted
to the UN. However, the UAE never ratified the treaty. In 2004, Saudi
Arabia annexed the land corridor that had previously connected the
Emirate of Abu Dhabi with Qatar. This had an immense impact on road
traffic between Qatar and the UAE. On the one hand, there were
time-consuming border controls, and on the other hand, women could no
longer travel this route without a male driver because they were not
allowed to drive motor vehicles in Saudi Arabia. For this reason, a
bridge over the sea between the UAE and Qatar was under discussion.
Since June 2018, women have also been allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia.
The United Arab Emirates has long acted as Saudi Arabia's junior
partner. The fact that they are now sometimes going their own way when
it comes to foreign policy is shown by the withdrawal of their troops
from Yemen in 2019. The VAR had previously been part of the Saudi-led
military coalition that launched the military intervention in Yemen in
2015.
The United Arab Emirates is also an important ally of the
USA. They were involved in many major US military operations such as the
second Gulf War, the war in Afghanistan and the first Libyan civil war -
only in the Iraq War did they refuse any support. Relations with Iran
are strained due to three islands (Abu Musa) occupied since 1971, which
is why the UAE also criticized the nuclear deal with Iran. During Donald
Trump's presidency, relations between the UAE and the USA intensified,
not least due to Donald Trump's openly anti-Iranian stance. Since the
conclusion of a security agreement in 2017, around 3,500 US troops as
well as several combat aircraft and reconnaissance drones have been
stationed at several air bases in the Gulf state. Back in 2008, the Emir
of Abu Dhabi allowed France to set up a naval base; The construction of
two French nuclear reactors was also agreed.
The UAE has been
supporting the Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar in his campaign against the
Libyan government in Tripoli in the civil war in Libya since 2014. The
UAE is considered a supplier of supplies to his army. Among other
things, an air force base in Eritrea is used for this purpose.
The United Arab Emirates became the third Arab state after Egypt and
Jordan to establish diplomatic relations with Israel in August 2020 and
signed the peace treaty between Israel and the United Arab Emirates on
September 15, 2020. However, Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al
Nahyan subsequently reiterated that the UAE will continue to support the
Palestinians in their quest for their own state.
According to Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and other human rights organizations, the United Arab Emirates is responsible for various human rights violations and discrimination, particularly in the areas of treatment of migrant workers, women's rights, civil rights, freedom of the press, working conditions of foreign construction workers (including numerous deaths), and criminalization of homosexual acts , corporal punishment and more.
The UAE has continuously provided large-scale assistance to countries
and regions in the developing world affected by conflict and natural
disasters. The main development assistance agency in the UAE is the Abu
Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), which was founded in 1971 and has
since provided more than 12.6 billion dirhams ($3.45 billion) in aid.
Together with other expenditures, contributions from the fund and the
Abu Dhabi government totaled 24 billion dirhams (US$6.54 billion),
supporting 258 different projects in 52 countries.
Other aid
agencies include the UAE branch of the Red Crescent as well as Dubai
Cares and Noor Dubai.
The armed forces of the United Arab Emirates (Union Defense Force,
UDF) consist of 63,000 soldiers (as of 2020) and consist of the army
(44,000 men), navy (2,500 men), air force (4,500 men) and presidential
guard (12,000 men). In absolute terms, the size of the UAE armed forces
can be compared to the size of the armed forces of the Netherlands or
Canada. In 2015, compulsory military service was introduced. The staff
is 70% local. Mariam al-Mansouri is the first female fighter pilot in
the UAE Armed Forces, which attracted international attention.
The commander-in-chief of the UDF was the ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh
Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, until May 2022. In day-to-day events, the
army was commanded by Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince, Sheikh Muhammad bin
Zayed Al Nahyan. Muhammad bin Zayed became ruler of Abu Dhabi in May
2022. The Minister of Defense is Sheikh Muhammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum,
the ruler of Dubai.
The USA plays a central role in the UAE's
defense policy. An agreement ratified in 1996 allows them to store
military material and use airfields. Along with France, the USA is also
one of the main weapons suppliers. UAE soldiers and officers regularly
train at US military installations; numerous former US officers are
employed as military advisors.
According to US figures, the UAE
spent $23.5 billion on defense in 2016. Defense spending as a share of
economic output is among the highest in the world.
The United Arab Emirates has a dual legal system consisting of
secular and Islamic law. While the UAE constitution cites Islamic law,
Sharia, as the main source of law, according to the German Foreign
Office, this plays no role in the practical application of civil law,
with the exception of family law matters. At the same time, secular law
is based on Sharia in that old and new laws are always checked for their
compatibility with Islamic law and should be compatible with it.
According to information from the German diplomatic mission in Dubai,
the “relevant legal sources in the order of their importance” for civil
law issues are: “1. Constitution, 2. Federal and Emirate Legislation, 3.
Sharia, 4. Commercial Customs and Practice.”
The independence of
the judiciary in matters of civil, criminal and public law is
constitutionally established in the UAE. In legislative and executive
matters, the Supreme Council of Rulers, consisting of the rulers of the
seven emirates, is the highest authority at the federal level.
The highest judicial authority in the state is the High Federal Court of
the Union. This consists of a senior advocate, the Chief of Justice, and
no more than five judges who are appointed by the President. The High
Federal Court is authorized to review case law; It can also mediate or
make judgments in disputes between the federal government and the
emirates or between the emirates. Last but not least, the Federal Court
has the authority to prosecute and punish legal violations and
misconduct on the part of cabinet members and high-ranking government
officials. The federal legal system consists of several federal courts
of first instance. They are responsible for matters within their
territorial area of competence or matters that are reserved for them
according to the constitution. The judgments made by these federal
courts can be challenged in the next higher courts, the Federal
Appellate Courts and, in the final instance, the High Federal Court (see
above). An exception to this are the Emirates of Dubai and Ras
al-Khaimah, whose local courts are responsible for areas of legal
competence that do not necessarily belong to the federal courts.
Rape is not prosecuted under civil criminal law, but, as in many
Islamic countries, under Islamic Sharia law. This means that the burden
of proof in rape cases lies with the rape victim. Without solid
evidence, the rape victim can be convicted of “extramarital sex.” On
November 7, 2020, the government announced that it would in future
punish honor killings and other so-called honor crimes just as harshly
as all other crimes. Criminal and family law will be comprehensively
revised.
The Emirates is one of the countries where the death
penalty applies. Offenses punishable by the death penalty include: the
carrying out of terrorist attacks, adultery, homosexual acts and turning
away from the Islamic faith. In the last twenty years, executions have
only been carried out in the case of murderers. In theory, execution by
stoning is possible, but in practice it is carried out exclusively by
shooting. In 2014, a woman in Abu Dhabi was sentenced to death by
stoning, but the sentence was probably not carried out.
In
addition to prison sentences, courts also impose flogging.
Sharia law applies to Muslims in family law. Foreign citizens have
the right to have their case heard under Islamic law, but not the
obligation to do so. Since 2005, Emirati women can only marry with the
consent of a male relative. If the “tutor” refuses consent, a judge must
decide whether the marriage takes place. The law continues to grant
different rights to husbands and wives. Marriages between Muslim women
and non-Muslims are not possible. Muslim men are only allowed to marry
women of an Abrahamic religion.
In 2021, Abu Dhabi became the
first emirate to allow civil marriages, which are reserved for
non-Muslims. In this emirate, non-Muslims can also share custody of
children and freely regulate their inheritance in their wills.
Although a law has been being worked on for years to define the rights of private consumers, there is still no binding regulation to date. This means that there is no legal guarantee; the seller can always rely on the purchased as seen point of view. In practice, however, many large department stores and supermarket chains offer generous exchange options, for example a return within a week if you don't like it. However, in the event of disputes with small traders, the authority can help mediate the dispute.
In the UAE there is a labor law that is strongly geared towards the
interests of employers and regulates most aspects such as working hours,
leaving the company and the right to dismissal. The employment of
foreign workers generally requires the approval of the Ministry of
Labor. The work and residence permit is issued for three years, since
2011 only for two years, and can be renewed. It applies to a specific
job, but can be transferred to another job if you change employer with
the employer's consent.
Normal working hours are eight hours a
day, six days a week, i.e. H. 48-hour weeks are the rule. However, in
retail, restaurants and hotels, these working hours can certainly be
extended to nine hours per day. In contrast, in physically demanding
jobs, for example, working hours are often shortened and divided into
shifts; this is particularly common in the construction industry. In
government agencies that employ relatively large numbers of locals, a
35-hour week is the norm. As in many predominantly Muslim countries,
Friday is free. Traditionally, the weekend for office workers consisted
of Thursday afternoon and Friday. However, a five-day week is now being
introduced more and more frequently, with Friday and Saturday off.
During Ramadan, regular working hours are reduced to two hours per day.
Otherwise, unpaid overtime is not uncommon.
There are ten public
holidays per year. There are also vacation days, the number of which
depends on the length of employment. Anyone who works between six and
twelve months gets two extra days per month. Anyone who has been
employed for more than one year receives 30 days of paid vacation from
the second year onwards in addition to statutory holidays, sick leave
and (for women) maternity and childcare leave.
There are no trade
unions in the UAE, freedom of association for employees and company
co-determination are unknown. In the event of a dispute between employee
and employer, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs acts as an
arbitrator and tries to mediate. If, in the opinion of one of the
parties, this effort is unsuccessful, the proceedings may go to court.
Strikes are banned in the UAE, limited work stoppages e.g. due to lack
of wages or gross violations of labor standards, there have already been
cases.
Agreeing on a probationary period is common practice in
the UAE. The right to continued payment of wages in the event of illness
begins three months after a successful probationary period, but the
employer has the right to terminate the contract after just 90 days of
absence from work. Only in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is there compulsory
health insurance; Dubai is planning to introduce it. Since there is no
unemployment or pension insurance requirement in the UAE, every employee
has to make their own private provisions.
The UAE is one of the most oil-rich countries in the world and lies
in the so-called strategic ellipse. GDP per capita is among the highest
in the world. In the Global Competitiveness Index, which measures a
country's competitiveness, the UAE ranks 16th out of 138 countries (as
of 2016-17). The country ranked 8th out of 180 countries in the 2017
Economic Freedom Index. The UAE is now one of the most liberal economies
in the world. However, the economic differences between the emirates are
extreme, with only three of the seven emirates producing oil. Oil export
revenues have fluctuated significantly in recent years due to fierce
competition in the international oil market. Nevertheless, GDP grew by
3.0% in 2016. In the same year, 0.7% of GDP was generated in
agriculture, 44.6% in industry and 54.7% in the service sector. In 2003,
military spending was 3.1% of GDP, education spending was 1.6% and
health spending was 3.3%. In 2000, 8% of the population was employed in
agriculture, 33% in industry and 59% in the service sector. The
unemployment rate was only 1.6% in 2016, there is full employment.
However, unemployment among the local population is expected to rise.
The total number of employees is estimated at 5.8 million in 2017; Of
these, 12.4% are women and around 85% are foreigners. Inflation averaged
1.5% in 2016.
Due to the uneven distribution of oil and gas
reserves in the individual emirates, solidarity-based income
equalization is practiced at the level of the UAE's state revenues. In a
balanced manner, the money flows from richer emirates such as Abu Dhabi
to economically disadvantaged and resource-poor areas, such as Ras
al-Khaimah, in order to ensure uniform economic development.
Although the UAE is becoming less reliant on revenue from oil and gas
production, oil and gas exports still play a large role, particularly in
Abu Dhabi. A construction boom, an expanding manufacturing economy and a
thriving trade and services sector are helping the UAE diversify its
economy. There are currently $350 billion worth of construction projects
across the country. Among these are the Burj Khalifa, currently the
tallest building in the world, Dubai-World Central Airport, three
artificial palm islands, the Dubai Mall and, in Abu Dhabi, the islands
of Saadiyat and Yas, for culture and motor sports.
Tourism now
has a high economic importance for the country. With over 14.9 million
tourists, the UAE was the 24th most visited country in the world in
2016. Tourism revenue that same year was $19.4 billion. The number of
visitors has doubled since 2010, with the country benefiting from its
modern infrastructure and favorable geographical location. The majority
of tourism revenue benefits the two emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Smaller emirates are also increasingly trying to specifically promote
tourism.
Finished products, machinery and transport equipment
together account for 80% of imports.
The largest investment
authority, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), manages
approximately $360 billion in foreign investments and has approximately
$900 billion in assets.
Since the 1970s, many desert areas have been transformed into agricultural areas through systematic irrigation. Fossil groundwater reserves are often tapped for irrigation, usually very saline and undrinkable, and are likely to run dry. Tobacco, vegetables, dates and citrus fruits can therefore be grown, even if only in small quantities. Agriculture and livestock breeding can also be carried out in the groundwater-rich areas around al-Ain and the Hajar Mountains. Poultry farming was greatly expanded. In the emirates of Ajman and Umm al-Quwain, fishing is the main source of income.
Abu Dhabi produces by far the largest amounts of oil and natural gas; Dubai and Sharjah follow. Apart from oil and gas processing, there is aluminum production (with natural gas as energy base), production of fertilizers, cement and other building materials, and metal processing. Abu Dhabi has the majority of the industry.
There is a general import tariff of 5% (except in the free trade
zones); Exceptions apply to certain product groups. The non-oil
producing emirates rely on trade and, in recent years, increasingly on
tourism. The city of Dubai is leading the way in this regard. The IT
sector, with its own districts for corporate offices, is also the most
developed in Dubai. The country is also increasingly investing in new
service and technology sectors in order to become more independent of
the raw materials market. The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA),
among others, plays an important (state) role here. Companies can only
be founded by foreigners if locals (companies) have at least 51%
participation, with the exception of branches.
Dubai is home to
the Nasdaq Dubai stock exchange, the former International Financial
Exchange (DIFX), which offers certificates on funds or foreign indices
in addition to local stocks.
All companies (except in free trade zones) must be at least 51% owned by a local. This law aims to ensure that only Emiratis are in senior positions. However, the local often only acts as a so-called “sponsor”, which means that through contractual agreements an attempt is made to ensure that the foreign partner receives control over the management and a larger share of the profits than corresponds to his share in the company. In the many free trade zones, companies can usually be operated by foreigners independently of a local citizen. In most cases, however, no commercial traffic is allowed to take place from a free trade zone into the Emirates, although this rule is rarely observed. The government is leading a campaign that aims to ensure a certain quota of local workers in all state departments - such as the post office, the police, administration, banks and the military. This campaign is operated under the name “Emiratization”.
The fight against counterfeit branded products is pursued very differently in the individual emirates. It ranges from regular raids on stores and imposing prison sentences on dealers in Dubai to open sales in the state-owned Cooperative Society department stores in Abu Dhabi. Dubai is particularly keen to show international companies that it takes the protection of intellectual property seriously.
Until now, foreigners could only purchase properties in Dubai in
specially designated areas. In addition, Dubai allows English-style land
and condominiums to be leased for 99 years. Recently, permanent leases
have also become possible. Through the lease, the owner acquires a
residence permit for the duration of the term. However, this must be
extended every three years for around 1000 euros. However, this title
does not come with a work permit; a work visa is required. Nevertheless,
this option particularly attracts Pakistanis and Indians who use it to
purchase a second home. Since 2005, the Emirate of Ras al-Khaimah has
also been offering foreigners ownership of land and real estate in
specially designated areas, such as Al Hamra Village. Other emirates are
planning similar changes.
However, most emirates still treat
property rights registrations conservatively. Here too, Dubai is taking
a pioneering role and passed Law No. 7 on property rights and land
registry entries in March 2006. It currently only deals with the
property rights of villas and townhouses. For apartments, such as those
in The Greens or the Dubai Marina, there is still no uniform case law
bindingly regulating registration in the land departments. The transfer
of ownership is only possible via the master developers Emaar, Nakheel
and Dubai Properties, and discussions are also taking place about
contributions for maintenance measures and general additional costs
(maintenance, service fees, etc.). The government is striving for a
quick agreement and settlement of the outstanding issues in order to be
able to offer foreign property buyers the necessary legal certainty.
Problems in everyday working life arise from the underdeveloped legal
protection of employees (see above: labor law). If an employer changes
or an employment relationship is terminated within the first year of
employment, a non-objection certificate must be issued by the employer
who sees no concerns about the employee looking for a new job. If this
is not issued and the employer does not have to justify his decision, a
six-month work ban and, in some cases, a ban on entry into the UAE will
follow. This unbalanced employer law is often used against “ordinary”
employees from developing countries and enables blackmail over wage
issues and vacation entitlements at the end of the employment
relationship. For highly qualified employees, an individual employment
contract is usually concluded.
Due to the weak protection of
employees, irregularities in the wage payments of low-earning workers
regularly occur in the low-paid construction sector, where up to around
500,000 foreign workers are employed. However, these destitute workers
have no choice but to continue working temporarily without pay, as
otherwise they would no longer be able to provide for their families in
their home countries without work that is well paid compared to their
country of origin.
The average income in the low-wage sector in
2005 was:
Skilled workers: 750 to 1500 AED/month (around 190-375
euros)
Unskilled workers: 400 to 650 AED/month (around 100-160 euros)
Other: Between 2.50 and 6.50 AED/hour (around 0.50 – 1.60 euros)
It is common practice for employers to retain their workers' passports
for the duration of their employment for security reasons. This serves,
among other things, to prevent theft and fraud of employees' company
property, as they can no longer easily leave the country. It also makes
it more difficult for workers to move to better-paying jobs. At the
beginning of 2005, this practice became publicly controversial. Among
other things, the authorities also required employees who had to deal
with money on business to retain their passports. This ultimately led to
a legal ban (passports are personal travel documents) on keeping
passports except when completing official procedures. Failure to do so
can result in tens of thousands of dirhams being fined against the
employer. Nevertheless, withholding passports from ordinary employees is
still common practice.
Employees have the right to complain to
local labor ministries in the event of problems with the employer. But
due to the cumbersome bureaucracy, decisions sometimes take a very long
time. Visa fraud has increased in recent years. Many interested parties
from the Indian subcontinent were promised that they would be able to
easily obtain a job and thus a residence permit in the UAE by paying
very high fees. In almost all cases, it later turned out that they had
been taken in by fraudsters. Since this procedure for obtaining visas
also violates local laws, these incidents are rarely reported by those
affected, which suggests that there is a high number of unreported cases
of these frauds.
The postal system is in state hands. Letters and packages will not be
delivered but must be picked up from post office boxes. The annual fee
is at least 10 euros, depending on the size. Alternatively, you can have
the mail sent to a collection box at the nearest post office and then
pay 10 to 50 euro cents for a letter or package picked up.
According to Federal Law No. 1 of 1976, the state-owned Emirati
Telecommunications Company was established: Etisalat. It had a monopoly
on all telephone services until February 2006. Furthermore, Etisalat
ensures the censorship of “harmful influences” on society via the
Internet.
The government decided in spring 2005 that additional
telephone and Internet service companies would be able to offer their
services from the beginning of 2006, which should be the end of
Etisalat's monopoly. Another telephone company – du – has been on the
market since the beginning of 2007. However, this telephone company also
belongs to the state or state-owned investment companies and was also
set up by them. International companies such as Vodafone, which have
tried several times to cover parts of the UAE, have still not received
the relevant license.
In addition to the five Arabic-language and four English-language daily newspapers, there are various periodical publications with regional significance. Eight television stations (including the three major satellite channels al-Arabiya, Abu Dhabi TV and Dubai TV) and five radio stations shape the electronic media landscape. In 2020, almost all residents of the United Arab Emirates used the Internet.
The dissemination of information is subject to censorship in the UAE.
Before being sold, imported magazines must be presented to the
censorship authority, which then censors sexual characteristics depicted
in images with a black felt-tip pen. Media subjects themselves to
self-censorship, so that there are no violations of censorship laws by
newspaper publishers or radio stations. Local television is in state
hands.
Private individuals access the Internet via proxies that
censor content. Officially, this is only intended to prevent access to
pornographic material, but in fact many other sites that may violate
Islamic culture are also blocked. For example, foreign sites that offer
gambling (including lottery), cooking recipes that report on pork
preparation, Israeli homepages (with the ending.il) and dating agencies.
Even complete IP lists and areas of public “anonymizers” are constantly
updated and are therefore not available. Educational institutions are
exempt from the compulsory use of proxy servers.
Users of the du
website have also been subject to censorship since April 14, 2008.
Although the filtering is not quite as rigorous as Etisalat, all sites
that have to do with pornography are blocked. The blocking is carried
out by a content filter from the provider. Since summer 2008, Etisalat
and du have been blocking VoIP applications (VoIP-to-landline).
VoIP-to-VoIP calls are limited (Windows Messenger) while others no
longer work. Skype-to-Skype is now also possible again.
The
non-governmental organization Reporters Without Borders assesses the
situation of press freedom in the United Arab Emirates as “difficult”. A
journalist (Tayseer Al-Najjar – cultural reporter al-Dar) is in custody
in the United Arab Emirates.
The character of the UAE has changed dramatically in the 20th century
and particularly in recent decades: from small, homogenous pearl fishing
settlements on the coast and farming villages inland to a modern diverse
and multicultural society. This happened through labor migration, first
Persians in the early 20th century, then Indians and Pakistanis arrived
since the start of the oil boom in the 1960s. Finally, since the 1990s,
migrant workers have been attracted from all over the world.
Despite the great diversity of the population, there is very little
ethnic tension or even conflict.
Since the major demographic
changes are based on labor migration and are not immigration in the
classic sense, they have only influenced the country's strongly Islamic
culture in external ways, such as architecture. The local culture
revolves primarily around Islamic rituals and Arab-Bedouin traditions.
This influence can be seen in architecture, music, clothing, food and
lifestyle. The call to prayer sounds five times a day across the
country, from minarets to shopping center loudspeakers. The main
holidays are Eid al-Fitr at the end of Ramadan and National Day, which
celebrates the founding of the UAE.
The particular socio-economic
development in the UAE has made the country much more liberal than its
neighbors, particularly Saudi Arabia and Iran. Although Islam is the
state religion, other religions are not only shown respect but are also
given freedom to practice them. There are Christian churches, a
synagogue, Hindu temples and a Gurudwara for Sikhs. The UAE also
provides protection for groups that have been and are being persecuted
elsewhere. The diversity of the population is reflected in a mosaic of
schools, cultural centers and restaurants that are both Western European
and Asian in character. Nevertheless, apostasy is punishable by death.
In the UAE there is no Islamic dress code like in Saudi Arabia. However, many Emiratis prefer the traditional kandura, an ankle-length white shirt made of cotton or wool; Many local women wear the abaya, a black outer garment that covers the body. Young people often follow western fashion trends. Foreigners wear their usual clothing.
The traditional Emirati food consists of rice, fish and meat. Many
courts were adopted by neighboring states, mainly Iran, Oman and Saudi
Arabia.
Seafood is a mainstay of local cuisine. Among meat
dishes, lamb and sheep are preferred over goat and beef. Popular drinks
are coffee and tea, to which cardamom, saffron or mint are often added
for refinement.
Since Muslims are not allowed to eat pork, it is
rarely offered in restaurants. Hotels and restaurants often have pork
substitutes, such as: E.g. beef bacon, on offer. Alcohol is generally
only served where the offer is aimed primarily at foreigners. It is
completely banned in Sharjah. In supermarkets, pork and alcohol are
available in sections specifically marked “For Non-Muslims Only”, the
latter only with a license. Abu Dhabi abolished the alcohol licensing
system in September 2020, and in this emirate alcohol has since been
freely purchased and consumed in private households, hotels and clubs.
Traditional dishes of UAE:
Machbus
Kabsa
Hariis (wheat and
barley porridge with meat)
Lukaimat (sweet yeast dumplings)
Bathith (date balls)
Khamir
Al-Madruba (salted fish with sauce)
Farid (meat and potato stew)
Raqaq (crusty bread)
Al-Jabab (bread)
Camel milk
The main form of UAE literature is poetry, which is part of the great
Arabic poetic tradition. The main themes are satire, chivalry, praise,
self-praise, patriotism, religion, family and love. Poems can be both
descriptive and narrative.
The style and form of ancient poetry
was heavily influenced by the scholar Al-Chalil bin Ahmad, who worked in
the Persian Gulf in the 8th century and wrote in 16 meter. The oldest
known poet in the region of what is now the UAE is Ibn Majid, who was
born between 1432 and 1437 in what is now Ras al-Khaimah. His oeuvre
includes 40 compositions, 39 of which are verses.
Over the course
of the 20th century, the local tradition came under Western influence,
which was reflected in the development of prose literature.
The
most important authors of the 20th century were Mubarak al-Uqaili
(1880-1954), Salim bin Ali al-Uwais (1887-1959) and Ahmad bin Sulajim
(1905-1976). Three other poets, all from Sharjah, were known as the
"Hirah Group": Chalfan Musabah (1923-1946), Sheikh Saqr al-Qasimi
(1925-1993; 1951-1965 ruler of Sharjah) and Sultan bin Ali al-Uwais
(1925–2000).
The UAE is part of the Gulf tradition and is also known for the music
of the Bedouin people of the hinterland. “Liwa” is a type of music and
dance performed primarily in groups of East African descent. Many of the
traditional songs and dances have survived into modern times. The
dances, e.g. B. Khalij often involve young girls swaying to the beat and
swinging their long hair, and men re-enacting battles or successful
hunts through symbolic dance, often using sticks, swords and guns.
Many international stars regularly give concerts in the UAE. Large
festivals, e.g. Some events, such as the Dubai Desert Rock Festival,
attract guests from all over the region.
Due to the population structure, Western productions (mainly
Hollywood films) dominate. Films from Middle Eastern and South Asian
countries (Bollywood) are very popular among Arab and South Asian
residents, but are mostly consumed through TV channels or DVDs. All
films must be approved by the Ministry of Information and may be
censored for religious, erotic and political content. The film The
Passion of the Christ was specifically advertised as “not cut” at the
box office.
The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) has
taken place every December since 2004. In October 2007, the first Middle
East International Film Festival (MEIFF) was held in Abu Dhabi, which is
also held annually.
Traditional vernacular construction was largely inspired by Islamic architecture and reflects the lifestyle and customs of the local population. The building materials were simple, but perfectly adapted to the climate. Tents that were easy to put up and take down provided shelter during the winter grazing season. The permanent buildings inland were built of dried mud bricks and thatched with palm leaves. In the coastal area, coral sticks were cut into blocks and held together with coquina. An important aspect when designing a house was the separation of privacy from a public space accessible to visitors, as well as the supply of cool air. Traditional houses therefore have wind towers, which are often built over pools of water and thus direct both cool breezes into the house and warm air out of the house.
Most emirates have their own museums of regional importance. Sharjah,
with its Heritage District, which houses 17 museums, has a prominent
position here, which was recognized by its election as Arab Capital of
Culture in 1998.
The Cultural Foundation in Abu Dhabi is an
important forum for the presentation of foreign performing and visual
arts. In Dubai, the Al Quoz district has become a hub for art galleries.
By establishing a cultural district on the island of Saadiyat, Abu
Dhabi wants to establish itself as a world-class cultural location. So
far, six world-class cultural projects are planned: the “Sheikh Zayed”
National Museum (built by Foster + Partners), the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi
(built by Frank Gehry), an art museum in cooperation with the Louvre Abu
Dhabi (built by Jean Nouvel), a Performing Arts Center (built by Zaha
Hadid), a maritime museum (built by Tadao Ando) and a Biennale Park with
16 pavilions.
Dubai plans to build an Kunsthal museum and a
district specifically for galleries and artists.
Outdoor leisure activities take place during the mild season (October
to April). Water sports (sailing, surfing, diving) and outdoor
activities (desert safaris, mountain hiking, camping) are popular.
Locals practice the traditional hobby of falconry in the Emirates. It
has become very popular, especially in the evenings, to stroll through
the large shopping centers (malls) and bazaars (souks).
Football
is the most popular sport in the Emirates. The most important teams are
Al Ain Club and Al-Ahli (coached by Winfried Schäfer until February
2007). Another German coach worked in the Emirates: Reinhard Fabisch
looked after the Emirates Club from November 2005 to 2007. Horst Köppel
and his assistant coach Lothar Sippel coached Al-Wahda from August to
October 2006. Al Ain Club became the first AFC champions in 2003
-League, they came second in 2005. The Emirates national team was able
to qualify for the 1990 World Cup and met the German national soccer
team in the group phase. In 1996, the Emirates hosted the Asian Cup, and
in 2003 the Men's Junior Football World Cup was held in the UAE. The
2013 U-17 Football World Cup took place in the Emirates in October and
November 2013 and the Asian Football Championship took place again in
2019.
Cricket is one of the most popular sports in the United
Arab Emirates, thanks largely to immigrants from the cricketing nations
of South Asia, the United Kingdom and Australia. Dubai is home to
offices of the International Cricket Council, while its headquarters
remain at London's Lord's Cricket Ground. The United Arab Emirates
national cricket team has qualified for two Cricket World Cups and took
part in the tournaments in 1996 and 2015. They also took part in the
preliminary round of the T20 World Cup twice: in 2014 and 2022. In 2021,
the United Arab Emirates, together with Oman, hosted an important
cricket tournament for the first time, the T20 World Cup 2021. This was
the first important cricket tournament to be held entirely in associated
countries of the International Cricket Council took place. However, the
United Arab Emirates national team failed to qualify for this
tournament.
In Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Combat Club has been
hosting the Submission Wrestling World Championships since 1998.
In tennis, the first edition of the Dubai tennis tournament (for men and
women) was held in 2003. Traditionally, horse and camel racing are also
very popular.
The Emirates is also home to the world's largest
horse racing track; Meydan Racecourse was completed on March 27, 2010 at
a cost of over $2 billion. The “Dubai World Cup” has been held at the
racetrack every year since 2010. With prize money of 30 million US
dollars, it is the most expensive horse race in the world.
Since
2009, Formula 1 has held a Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi for an initial period
of seven years. The FIFA Club World Cup took place in Abu Dhabi in 2009,
2010 and 2017.
Special Olympics United Arab Emirates was founded
in 1990 and has participated in Special Olympics World Games several
times. The association has announced its participation in the Special
Olympics World Summer Games 2023 in Berlin. The delegation will be
looked after by Marburg before the games as part of the Host Town
Program.
The weekend in the UAE, previously Thursday–Friday, was moved to
Friday–Saturday from September 2006. All state and public institutions,
government facilities and private schools are bound to the new
regulation. The private sector partly followed the change and partly
retained the old weekend. The reason for the change was to increase the
overlap in working days between the non-Islamic world and the UAE from
three to four days.
Since January 1, 2022, Dubai has changed the
weekend to Saturday and Sunday. This means that the emirate has adapted
to most international countries.