Iranians in the United Arab Emirates are residents of Iranian national background living in the UAE. They comprise an estimated 5–8% of the population and have contributed significantly to the country’s commercial, cultural, and social development, particularly in cities such as Dubai and Sharjah. This figure refers specifically to Iranian expatriates and does not include Ajam Emiratis (Emirati citizens of Iranian ancestry).
Demographics
By the early 20th century, over 500 Persian Gulf Iranians were already residing in Abu Dhabi, with many others having moved to Dubai, where they helped establish the Al Bastakiya district.
Persians who resided in the Trucial States prior to 1925 or before the formation of the union were offered the Emirati citizenship as per Article 17 of the United Arab Emirates Citizenship and Passport Law of Year 1972.
Today, the UAE is home to an estimated 500,000 to 800,000 Iranian expatriates, the majority of whom live in Dubai. The Iranian Club in Dubai serves as a cultural and social hub for Iranian expatriates, preserving their cultural heritage and providing a space for community activities.
The Iranian peoples in the UAE also includes smaller communities of Emirati Balochs (Baloch people living in the UAE) and Iranian Arabs from Hormozgan. The community is known for its entrepreneurial spirit, with over 8,000 Iranian-backed businesses operating in Dubai, contributing significantly to the local economy. These businesses collectively hold more than $300 billion in assets within the UAE. They are generally composed of:
- Achomi people: Achum/Achami people also known as "Khodmooni", are Iranian people native to the south of Iran who have migrated from various areas of "Irahistan" (Bastak, Khonj County, Evaz County, Jenah District, etc..); most notably from "Bastak", thus "Al-Bastaki" surname, Bastaki, Evazi, and Khonji sub-dialects of Achomi language, and Al Bastakiya Neighbourhood in Dubai. They are generally of Sunni Shafi'i and Maliki background and some refer to themselves as "Huwala people" possibly to denote their Sunni faith, although there are Gerashi Achomis of Shia background.
- Emirati Balochs: Baloch people who migrated from Balochistan. Most of them have the "Al-Balushi" surname.
Contributions
Business and organizations
Iran maintains a Dubai, which plays a crucial role in diplomatic relations and supporting the needs of Iranian nationals in the UAE.
Al-Bastakiyeh
Religion
Cultural integration
Culture
Music
Known families
- Al-Ali
- Al-Gurg
- Al-Hajiri
- Al-Khaja
- Al-Mulla
- Al-Serkal
- Darwish
- Bastaki/Al-Bastaki
- Qasimi
- Zaruni
- Abdullatif
- Al-Abudi
- Al-Ansari
- Al-Fardan
- Al-Tajir
- Badri
- Fikri
- Al-Galadari/Galleh Dar
- Ghulam Abbas
- Sayigh
- Evaz/Al-Awadhi
- Al-Jakkah
- Al-Kharji
- Al-Raqbani
- Al-Saffarini
- Al-Sharafa
- Bahruzian
- Khoory
- Murtaza
- Naboodah
- Natafji
- Rostamani
- Shahin
- Sharif
Notable people
- Huda Al-Khatib: Emirati actress of Achomi people. She appeared in the Kuwaiti serial "Al-Da'la" where she speaks broken Arabic, and mixes it with Persian language/Achomi language, the serial has a full scene in which the character she plays is learning the Arabic language and sings the Laristani/Achomi/Khudmuni/Bastaki song "Ghalyon ma teshn, ghori ma chai, yar nazanin, jaye to khali" (My hookah has no fire, my teapot has no tea, my beloved, your place is empty).
- Ibtessam Al-Bastaki: Emirati doctor of Achomi ancestry.
- Khadija Al-Bastaki: Emirati businesswoman of Achomi ancestry.
- Ahllam: Emirati singer, of paternal and maternal ancestry.
- Arvin Bastaki: Emirati Achomi people singer.
- Shahad Al-Bastaki: Emirati singer.
- Hamdan Al-Baloushi: Emirati singer.
== Gallery ==
See also
- Expatriates in the United Arab Emirates
- Iranian diaspora
- Iran–United Arab Emirates relations
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