Due to the geographical proximity between
Iran and the
United Arab Emirates,
Persians were among the first major groups of foreign settlers in the region, with a history dating back to the 1810s. Over time, they have become a deeply rooted and respected community within the UAE. 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
Bastakiyah 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 population 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. i"
Husayniyya in
Dubai (, ) 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,
Evaz,
Jenah, etc..); Most of them have the "
Al-Balushi" surname. ==Contributions==