Part of: AsiaMiddle EastArabian PeninsulaMENA10/40 WindowIslamic Belt
Discover
The identity of the nation
The United Arab Emirates is a young federation, born in 1971 from the union of seven emirates on the shores of the Persian Gulf. In little more than five decades, the nation leapt from fishing villages and desert bedouin camps to one of the most dynamic economies in the world, with skyscrapers, ports and airports connecting East to West. Abu Dhabi is the political capital and Dubai, the great commercial and tourist hub.
Emirati identity is deeply Arab and Muslim. Sunni Islam shapes public life, the calendar and the nation’s values, and hospitality, coffee with dates, and the majlis, a traditional gathering space recognized by UNESCO, remain at the heart of the culture. Native Emiratis are a minority in their own country: about nine in ten residents are foreigners, coming mainly from South Asia, the Arab world, the Philippines and the West.
This human mosaic makes the Emirates a crossroads of peoples like few others on the planet. Muslims, Hindus, Christians and Buddhists live side by side. The Christian presence is almost entirely made up of migrants, who gather in church compounds authorized by the government. For the native Emirati, however, the gospel remains practically unknown, and conversion is surrounded by family, social and legal barriers.
Wealth from oil and trade has brought visible material prosperity, but also the spiritual challenges of abundance: attachment to material goods, ostentation and the search for identity in consumption. At the same time, millions of migrant workers sustain the economy, many far from family and in harsh working conditions, opening doors for care and hope.
The Emirates are thus a nation of contrasts: bedouin tradition and extreme modernity, abundance and need, openness to the world and closedness to the gospel among natives. It is a place where people from nearly every nation meet, and where God can use that meeting so that many hear of him for the first time.
- For millennia, bedouin tribes and communities of fishermen and pearl divers inhabit the Gulf coast.
- 1820 Treaties with Great Britain begin the period of the Trucial States, under British protection.
- 1958 Discovery of oil in Abu Dhabi transforms the region's future.
- 1971 On December 2, six emirates unite and proclaim the United Arab Emirates; Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan becomes the first president.
- 1972 Ras Al Khaimah joins the federation, completing the seven emirates.
- 2004 Death of Sheikh Zayed, remembered as the Father of the Nation.
- Today Prosperous, cosmopolitan nation of Muslim majority, where natives live alongside millions of migrants from around the world.
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Arabicofficial, in the Gulf dialect, used in public and religious life
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Englishwidely spoken in business and daily life, lingua franca among migrants
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South Asian languagesUrdu, Hindi, Malayalam and others, spoken by the large migrant population
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Tagalogcommon among the Filipino community
The United Arab Emirates occupies the southeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula, with a long coastline on the Persian Gulf and a stretch on the Gulf of Oman. The territory is mostly flat desert and dunes, with oases inland and the Hajar Mountains to the east. The climate is desert, hot and arid, and fresh water is scarce, coming largely from desalination.
Major cities
- Abu DhabiFederal capital and largest emirate, seat of government and of oil
- DubaiCommercial, financial and tourist center, home to the Burj Khalifa
- SharjahHub of Islamic culture and art
- Al AinOasis city inland, on the border with Oman
- Ras Al KhaimahNorthern emirate, known for its mountainous landscapes
Climate and temperature
Machboos
Fragrant rice with meat, chicken or fish, seasoned with dried lime (loomi) and saffron, considered the national dish.
Harees
Thick porridge of wheat and meat cooked for hours, traditional during Ramadan and weddings.
Luqaimat
Fried dough balls, crispy outside and soft inside, drizzled with date syrup and sesame.
Gahwa and dates
Arabic coffee served with dates, a central ritual of Emirati hospitality.
Madrouba
Creamy stew of fish or chicken with rice and spices.
Understand
Culture and spirituality
2a · The culture
Sacred hospitality
Welcoming the visitor with coffee and dates is an honor and a duty; generosity defines the Emirati character.
Majlis
Traditional gathering space, recognized by UNESCO, where family and community talk and settle matters.
Islam at the center of life
Prayer, Ramadan and Islamic values guide the calendar and public life.
Family and tribe
Extended family and tribal ties are the foundation of identity and honor.
Nation of migrants
About 90% of the population is foreign; natives are a privileged minority in their own country.
Tradition and modernity
Bedouin heritage coexists with skyscrapers, luxury and cutting-edge technology.
- Disrespecting Islam Criticism of the religion, the Prophet or the Quran are serious offenses and a crime.
- Public proselytizing Evangelizing Muslims or preaching in public is prohibited by law.
- Public displays of affection Displays of affection between couples are frowned upon and can cause problems.
- Overly revealing clothing Dress modestly, especially in religious sites and outside tourist areas.
- Eating or drinking in public during Ramadan During the fast, this is disrespectful and can be punished.
- Treating migrants with disdain The dignity of the foreign worker matters; avoid the arrogance of the visitor.
2b · The field
Areas of spiritual battle and cultural captivity to cover in prayer. Tap each point to understand:
Wealth from oil and trade fuels the search for identity in luxury and consumption.
Muslim faith and citizenship merge, making any path outside Islam difficult.
The Emirati who believes in Christ faces rejection from family, tribe and the law.
A society of two worlds, marked by privilege and exclusion.
Millions of migrants sustain the country, many in harsh shifts far from their own.
The pressure to preserve family honor weighs on personal and spiritual choices.
Hinduism, Buddhism and other beliefs arrive with the peoples of South Asia.
Material plenty coexists with loneliness and the search for meaning.
The Emirati people remain with practically no access to the Christian faith.
The United Arab Emirates is among the nations where Christians face significant pressure. Migrant Christians have freedom of worship in private settings or in church compounds designated by the government, but sharing the gospel or praying in public is prohibited by law.
The most severe persecution falls on the Emirati who converts from Islam to Christ. These believers face strong pressure from family and community, as well as legal risk, and so live out their faith in secret. Apostasy and efforts to convert others are treated as serious offenses.
Recent reports point to an increase in faith-related violence, the highest level recorded in the country in the past five years. Although the nation is not among the most dangerous in the world for Christians, the trend has been worsening, and freedom to proclaim Jesus remains restricted.
The persecution score runs from 0 to 100: the higher it is, the greater the pressure on Christians.
The United Arab Emirates is one of the greatest crossroads of peoples in the world. Native Emiratis, Sunni Muslims, make up only about a tenth of the population and remain almost entirely without access to the gospel. Most are migrants from South Asia, the Arab world, the Philippines and many other nations, among them large Hindu, Muslim and Buddhist groups still unreached. This concentration of peoples makes the country a strategic place, where people from many lands can hear of Christ.
- 75.1% Unreached (8.4M)
- 3.3% Minimally reached (374K)
- 0.3% Superficially reached (30K)
- 18.2% Partially reached (2M)
- 3.2% Significantly reached (358K)
- 81.8% Unreached (36)
- 2.3% Minimally reached (1)
- 4.5% Superficially reached (2)
- 6.8% Partially reached (3)
- 4.5% Significantly reached (2)
Source of people group data: Joshua Project (joshuaproject.net). Estimates, may vary.
Sudanese Arab Frontier
Omani Arab Frontier
Gulf Bedouin Frontier
Somali Frontier
Southern Baloch Frontier
Tunisian Arab
Iraqi Arab
Source: Joshua Project. Estimates, may vary.
- 60% With complete Bible (24)
- 40% Only portions of the Bible (16)
Source: Joshua Project and Progress.Bible. Estimates, may vary.
Standard Arabic Official
Gulf Arabic
Southern Baluchi
Hijazi Arabic
Omani Arabic
Levantine Arabic
Southern Pashto
Pray
Intercede for this nation
Send and sustain
Not everyone goes, everyone takes part
Not everyone goes. Everyone takes part.
Behind every worker among these peoples stands a network of people who pray without ceasing, care for the family left behind, and faithfully sustain the work. Sending is mission too.
Start with your church: introduce this nation, adopt it in ongoing prayer, and walk alongside those God is raising up to go.
Go
Practical details for those who want to go
Local time
Cost of living
especially in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Cost by city
Reference values (source: Numbeo). Confirm before traveling.
Practical points for those who go
- Respect Islamic customs: dress modestly and follow local norms, especially during Ramadan.
- English is widely spoken, which greatly eases day to day communication.
- Do not attempt to convert others in public: proclaiming the faith to Muslims is prohibited by law.
- Avoid the extreme summer heat; prefer the winter months for outdoor activities.
- Treat migrant workers with dignity and attention; many live far from their families.