Shia Islam in the United Arab Emirates


Shia Islam is practiced by a minority of Muslims in the United Arab Emirates. Around 15% of Emiratis belong to the Shia sect. It is also practiced among expatriate Muslim communities living in the country, most notably Iranians, as well as some Arabs, Pakistanis, Indians, and other nationalities. Shia branches such as Ismailis and the Dawoodi Bohras are present in the UAE.

Background

The UAE is a Muslim-majority country. Part Seven of the UAE Constitution declares Islam as the official state religion. In Dubai, the government appoints all imams, whether Sunni or Shia, as well as regulating religious sermon content preached in mosques. Shia mosques are designated by the government as private, but are able to apply for government funding upon request. Shia Muslims are granted freedom to worship, and maintain their mosques. Shias may also pursue family law cases through a special Shia council. Most Shias are concentrated in the emirates of Dubai and Sharjah.

Society

Shia citizens in the UAE, a section of which are of Iranian origin, have historically been an important segment of the business community, as well as enjoying representation in the UAE's political establishment.
In recent years, a small number of Shia Muslim expatriates have been deported from the UAE. Some Lebanese Shia families in particular have complained of deportation for allegedly harbouring sympathy for Hezbollah. According to some organizations, the number of such deportees is over 4,000.

Mosques

There are numerous Shia mosques in the country. Amongst the well-known are the Iranian Mosque in Bur Dubai and the Iranian Mosque in Satwa. In 2003, the Aga Khan announced the opening of the first Ismaili center in the Middle East in Dubai. The land it was built on was gifted by then Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.