United Arab Emirates
Only 15-20% of the total population of 4.4 million is U.A.E.
citizens. The rest include significant numbers of other
Arabs--Palestinians, Egyptians, Jordanians, Yemenis, Omanis--as well
as many Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Iranians, Afghans,
Filipinos, and west Europeans.
The majority of U.A.E. citizens are Sunni Muslims with a very small
Shi'a minority. Many foreigners also are Muslim, although Hindus and
Christians make up a portion of the U.A.E.'s foreign population.
Educational standards among U.A.E. citizens population are rising
rapidly. Citizens and temporary residents have taken advantage of
facilities throughout the country. The UAE University in Al Ain had
roughly 17,000 students in 2004. The Higher Colleges of Technology,
a network of technical-vocational colleges, opened in 1989 with
men's and women's campuses in each emirate. Zayed University for
women opened in 1998 with campuses in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Zayed
University will establish separate male campuses for the 2007-2008
academic year. American University Sharjah had over 4,500 students
enrolled in 2007. Many foreign universities, including ones from the
U.S., U.K., and Australia, also have campuses in the U.A.E. |
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The U.A.E. was formed from the group of tribally organized Arabian
Peninsula Sheikhdoms along the southern coast of the Persian Gulf
and the northwestern coast of the Gulf of Oman. This area was
converted to Islam in the Seventh century; for centuries it was
embroiled in dynastic disputes. It became known as the Pirate Coast
as raiders based there harassed foreign shipping, although both
European and Arab navies patrolled the area from the 17th century
into the 19th century. Early British expeditions to protect the
India trade from raiders at Ras al-Khaimah led to campaigns against
that headquarters and other harbors along the coast in 1819. The
next year, a general peace treaty was signed to which all the
principal sheikhs of the coast adhered. Raids continued
intermittently until 1835, when the sheikhs agreed not to engage in
hostilities at sea. In 1853, they signed a treaty with the United
Kingdom, under which the sheikhs (the "Trucial Sheikhdoms") agreed
to a "perpetual maritime truce." It was enforced by the United
Kingdom, and disputes among sheikhs were referred to the British for
settlement.
Primarily in reaction to the ambitions of other European countries,
the United Kingdom and the Trucial Sheikhdoms established closer
bonds in an 1892 treaty, similar to treaties entered into by the
U.K. with other Gulf principalities. The sheikhs agreed not to
dispose of any territory except to the United Kingdom and not to
enter into relationships with any foreign government other than the
United Kingdom without its consent. In return, the British promised
to protect the Trucial Coast from all aggression by sea and to help
out in case of land attack.
In 1955, the United Kingdom sided with Abu Dhabi in the latter's
dispute with Saudi Arabia over the Buraimi Oasis and other territory
to the south. A 1974 agreement between Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia
would have settled the Abu Dhabi-Saudi border dispute; however, the
agreement has yet to be ratified by the U.A.E. Government. The
border with Oman also remains officially unsettled, but the two
governments agreed to delineate the border in May 1999. Since that
time, the U.A.E. has constructed a border fence along the entire
length with both Oman and Saudi Arabia. The new fence and
checkpoints will likely be finished by 2008-2009.
In 1968, the U.K. announced its decision, reaffirmed in March 1971,
to end the treaty relationships with the seven Trucial Sheikhdoms
which had been, together with Bahrain and Qatar, under British
protection. The nine attempted to form a union of Arab emirates, but
by mid-1971 they were unable to agree on terms of union, even though
the termination date of the British treaty relationship was the end
of 1971. Bahrain became independent in August and Qatar in September
1971. When the British-Trucial Sheikhdoms treaty expired on December
1, 1971, they became fully independent. On December 2, 1971, six of
them entered into a union called the United Arab Emirates. The
seventh, Ras al-Khaimah, joined in early 1972.
The U.A.E. sent forces to help liberate Kuwait during the 1990-91
Gulf War. U.A.E. troops have also participated in peacekeeping
missions to Somalia, Lebanon, Bosnia, Albania, Kosovo, and Kuwait.
In 2004, the U.A.E.'s first and only president until that time,
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, died. His eldest son Khalifa bin
Zayed Al Nahyan succeeded him as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. In accordance
with the Constitution, the U.A.E.'s Supreme Council of Rulers
elected Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan as U.A.E. Federal President.
Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan succeeded Khalifa as Crown Prince of
Abu Dhabi. In January 2006, Sheikh Makotum bin Rashid Al Maktoum,
U.A.E. Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, passed
away and was replaced by his brother, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al
Maktoum (MbR), Ruler of Dubai and U.A.E. Minister of Defense. On February 9, 2006, the U.A.E. announced a cabinet reshuffle. Several
ministries were eliminated or renamed, while others were created. |
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