Arabian Oryx
The UAE's national animal, this elegant white antelope can survive desert heat by letting its body temperature rise to avoid sweating away precious water.
Flag of United Arab Emirates
Field Report
The United Arab Emirates is a small, sun-baked country on the eastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, bordered by Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the warm waters of the Persian Gulf. It is home to towering modern cities rising out of the desert and to ancient Bedouin traditions that have lasted for thousands of years. Almost all of its people follow Islam, which means very few have ever had a chance to hear about Jesus.
From the Field Notebook
Arabian Oryx
The UAE's national animal, this elegant white antelope can survive desert heat by letting its body temperature rise to avoid sweating away precious water.
Peregrine Falcon
Falconry has been practiced in the Arabian Peninsula for over 2,000 years, and Emiratis train these swift hunting birds with great care and pride.
Arabian Camel
Known as the 'ship of the desert,' the one-humped dromedary camel stores fat in its hump to fuel long journeys across the UAE's vast sand dunes.
Machboos
A fragrant rice dish slow-cooked with meat, dried limes, and warm spices like cinnamon and cardamom that fills the whole kitchen with rich, smoky aroma.
Dates
Grown on tall palm trees across the Emirates, dates are offered to every guest as a sign of welcome and come in dozens of varieties from soft and caramel-sweet to chewy and rich.
Harees
A simple, hearty porridge of slow-cooked wheat and meat that has been eaten across the Gulf for centuries and is especially common during Ramadan.
The UAE is made up of seven emirates, or territories, each ruled by its own sheikh — Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah joined together in 1971.
About 88 percent of people living in the UAE were born somewhere else, making it one of the most international countries on earth — more than 200 nationalities live there.
The Burj Khalifa in Dubai stands 828 meters tall and held the record as the world's tallest building for over a decade.
The UAE sits on some of the world's largest oil reserves, and before oil was discovered in the 1950s, many Emiratis made their living by diving for pearls in the Persian Gulf.
The UAE has almost no rivers or lakes, and fresh water is so scarce that the country gets much of its drinking water from the sea through a process called desalination.
Daily Life
83
Years life expectancy
99%
Can read and write
95%
Kids go to school
Missions Field Report
United Arab Emirates is home to 44 distinct people groups — 36 of them haven’t yet heard about Jesus.
A majority of United Arab Emirates's people follow Islam (63.8%). Evangelical Christians make up about 1.5% of the population.
What People Believe
Unreached People Groups
These are communities of people who haven’t had the chance to hear about Jesus yet. They need missionaries — and they need kids like you to pray for them.
South Asian, general
2,910,000 people
Arab, Emirati
1,310,000 people
Pashtun, Northern
453,000 people
Baloch, Southern
453,000 people
Arab, Saudi - Hijazi
442,000 people
Prayer Journal
Tick each one as you pray. God hears every word.