United Arab Emirates
POPULATION 2,445,989
SUNNI MUSLIM 80 percent
SHIITE MUSLIM 16 percent
OTHER 4 percent
Country Overview
Introduction
The United Arab Emirates, founded in 1971, is a federation of seven emirates (Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, al-Fujayrah, Ras al-Khaymah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Qaywayn) lying along the eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Oman and the Gulf of Oman to the east, Saudi Arabia to the south and west, Qatar to the northwest, and the Persian Gulf to the north. The capital is Abu Dahbi town.
The population consists of four social and cultural groups: the Shihu and Habus peoples in the mountainous regions of the north, the lowland peoples living on the plains, the polyglot of workers and immigrants living in the major cities, and the tribal peoples connected by lineage to the old Arabian tribes. A major oil producer, the country has a fast growing Arab and non-Arab expatriate population, with indigenous peoples now making up a minority of less than 20 percent.
The vast majority of Muslims in the United Arab Emirates follow the Sunni branch of Islam. Compared with other Persian Gulf states, the country is relatively liberal and open.
Religious Tolerance
Although Islam is the official religion of the United Arab Emirates, the government pursues a policy of tolerance toward other religions.
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