An Uncertain but Desired Life: Iranians in Dubai
Ali Akbar Mahdi
Ohio Wesleyan University
The author presented preliminary results of his field trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where he interviewed and collected data about Iranians in Dubai . UAE is one of the six Middle Eastern countries whose economic life is heavily dependent on foreign labor force. This country has also become the second largest host to Iranians living abroad. As the UAE modernized and became a giant commercial power house in the Middle East , the number and type of Iranian immigrants to this country changed. Since 1979, earlier seasonal workers or permanent immigrants, mostly involved in manual labor, have been replaced by skilled and semi-skilled Iranians.
Since travel to Iran is easy and many Iranian immigrants in the UAE are involved in export to and import from Iran, the immigration experiences of Iranians is markedly distinguishable from those of other nationalities in the UAE. The author reviewed the history of this immigration and discussed a number of reasons Iranians offer for the presence in the UAE. He argued that despite the uncertainty associated with residency in the UAE, the proximity with Iran and the possibility of easy and frequent return to the homeland have made Iranians' stay in the UAE a pleasant and worthwhile experience.
Despite their high number and lengthy presence in the UAE, Iranians have not been subject of any systematic study. Most surveys conducted on this population have been of journalistic nature, focusing mostly on their economic life. Sociological variables affecting their life have rarely received methodical attention. This study was based on extensive field work in Dubai and focused interviews with 57 Iranian immigrants living there. The study reported the history of Iranian presence in the UAE, the demographic and ethnic composition of these immigrants, their reasons for migration, and social problems associated with living in that country. Particular attention was given to the extensive interaction with and frequency of return to Iran by these immigrants.
(The author's presentation was accompanied by a large selection of pictures he had taken in Dubai .)
Ohio Wesleyan University
The author presented preliminary results of his field trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) where he interviewed and collected data about Iranians in Dubai . UAE is one of the six Middle Eastern countries whose economic life is heavily dependent on foreign labor force. This country has also become the second largest host to Iranians living abroad. As the UAE modernized and became a giant commercial power house in the Middle East , the number and type of Iranian immigrants to this country changed. Since 1979, earlier seasonal workers or permanent immigrants, mostly involved in manual labor, have been replaced by skilled and semi-skilled Iranians.
Since travel to Iran is easy and many Iranian immigrants in the UAE are involved in export to and import from Iran, the immigration experiences of Iranians is markedly distinguishable from those of other nationalities in the UAE. The author reviewed the history of this immigration and discussed a number of reasons Iranians offer for the presence in the UAE. He argued that despite the uncertainty associated with residency in the UAE, the proximity with Iran and the possibility of easy and frequent return to the homeland have made Iranians' stay in the UAE a pleasant and worthwhile experience.
Despite their high number and lengthy presence in the UAE, Iranians have not been subject of any systematic study. Most surveys conducted on this population have been of journalistic nature, focusing mostly on their economic life. Sociological variables affecting their life have rarely received methodical attention. This study was based on extensive field work in Dubai and focused interviews with 57 Iranian immigrants living there. The study reported the history of Iranian presence in the UAE, the demographic and ethnic composition of these immigrants, their reasons for migration, and social problems associated with living in that country. Particular attention was given to the extensive interaction with and frequency of return to Iran by these immigrants.
(The author's presentation was accompanied by a large selection of pictures he had taken in Dubai .)
