| · Population: 541,000

The first inhabitants of Abu Dhabi were Bedouins (nomads) of the Bani Yas tribe whose customs remained unchanged for a thousand years. However, the new generation sees little need to retain the traditions.

* As the young people put aside the culture of their fathers, pray that this void would not be filled with secular materialism, but by a hunger for God and His truth.

As the modern city of Abu Dhabi continues to grow, new high-rise apartments and offices are replacing decaying 1960s compound homes built with the first oil revenues. As the city grows its inhabitants face all the issues of any large city. Many who are lonely, needy, and feeling trapped are ready to hear good news.

* Pray that those Christians working in the city will have open eyes to see these needs and also have compassionate hearts.

Before the advent of oil, Abu Dhabi was a small fishing village on an island. Now it is a large modern city with outstanding architecture; it is also the political and financial centre of the UAE. The pre-eminence of this city and its role in the UAE brings with it responsibilities both to the federation and to the entire Arabian Gulf region.

* Pray that decision-makers in the capital will be wise and compassionate stewards of this influence and authority. Pray that the Christians whom they may meet prove to be faithful role models, influential work colleagues, and examples of Christ.

Dubai

| · Population: (674,100 in city and 1,510,000 in the metropolitan area)

Shopping malls are the main place of recreation during the hot summers in Dubai. Materialism and the lust for money make Dubai a somewhat "cut-throat" business environment.

Flag of the UAE

Map of the UAE

* Pray that Muslims turn to Christ instead of secular materialism. Remember in prayer those Christians who seek to bear witness to Christ through their business activities in Dubai, since this is an especially stressful calling.

The Burj Al Arab, a seven-star hotel, is an image recognised around the world and identified with Dubai. The Burj, or "tower", symbolises more of Dubai than just an amazing feat of architecture. Decadent opulence, craving for the biggest and best, and a desire to be seen as a modern city in the eyes of the world underlie many of the local building projects.

* Pray that people of the Emirates will see that their need for significance is best met in a personal relationship with Christ.

Many local families have grand palaces for homes. The ruling sheikhs look after their people well by providing homes, education, and financial assistance. Many are discovering that material comfort does not necessarily bring happiness.

* Pray for the witness of the many Christian servants (mostly Filipinos and Indians) who live in these homes. May they have courage to serve their employers as they would the Lord, so that their employers may desire to serve the Lord Jesus.

"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." (Matt 5:16)

Al Ain

| · Population: 318,000

Al Ain is the birthplace of the late UAE ruler, Sheikh Zayed al Nayhan. On the crossroads of a significant desert trade route, Al Ain is steeped in an influential past. The only large inland city in the country, and a border city with the Omani township of Buraimi, Al Ain is as much today a place of crossroads as it was in ancient times.

* Pray that this city will also be a crossroads with the gospel message proclaimed enthusiastically by the many who visit there.

Al Ain's green oasis feel is only possible through the presence of water. Irrigation systems are used like arteries to supply groves of trees with water from its source in the mountains. The Arabic word for water ("mai") is used figuratively to describe something easy, sweet or pleasant.

* Pray that the people from Al Ain would come to know the One who is the source of living waters. Pray that they will come to know Christ as their "living water".
Mountain ranges dominate the Al Ain oasis. The rainfall on these mountains is trapped underground to supply the springs, which water the oasis.

Evidence of civilisations 3,000 years old speaks of a time when this region was cooler and more fertile. Even within living memory there is talk of when it rained more and these plains supported wandering herds of goats and camels.

* Pray that the searing spiritual dryness of this place will be replaced with "streams in the desert".

The information on these pages has been provided by the "Praying Through the Arabian Peninsula" intercession effort. We strongly recommend using their prayer material (printed and digital), which is available from the website www.pray-ap.info.

Video: UAE

Sky from Philip Bloom on Vimeo.

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The UAE is Complex and Diverse

The UAE is one of the most politically stable countries in the region and since the establishment of the federation; the emirates have ironed out inter-emirate squabbles and tensions, cementing that stability. The UAE is a complex and diverse place. It's a short drive from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, but a massive culture leap. Abu Dhabi remains deeply conservative, while Dubai is far more liberal in comparison. The northern emirates are far less developed than the economic powerhouses of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

This group of small Muslim nations has remained hidden over the centuries, but with the discovery of oil in the 1970s, they have been brought to the world's attention. As a result of the oil boom, breathtaking advances from poverty to fabulous wealth in the last 30 years has brought a tremendous transformation to this land. Building a modern society on the sand, they now have one of the highest incomes per capita in the world. Massive development schemes are funded by oil wealth. Education, health care, and social services are virtually free.

Abu Dhabi has enormous oil reserves. Dubai and Fujairah's are much smaller, and the other four emirates have little or no oil.

Change in the UAE

Of the many different tribes that make up the country's national population, very few were ever wholly nomadic. The majority of them were settled, at least for much of the year, engaging in simple agriculture, or in the age-old practice of harvesting the pearl banks and fishing. Only about 20% of the inhabitants of the UAE are nationals. The rest are all foreign workers. There are large groups of Indians, Pakistanis, Iranians and Southeast Asians. The population is, however, 95% Muslim. Sunni Islam is the religion of the state.

The radical changes over the last three decades have made the UAE citizens more cosmopolitan and open to new ideas, yet Islamic fundamentalism has increased restrictions. Many are in daily contact with foreign Christians, but not all believers have opportunities to share their faith because of the possible consequences. There is freedom to worship and witness within the expatriate communities, but no outreach to the indigenous population is officially permitted.

Flag of the UAE

Map of the UAE

Prayer Guide for the UAE

* Pray for the Christian foreign workers, that their lives and testimony would be a witness among those who share a common language.

* Pray for those who have material wealth, that they would not be satisfied with earthly riches, but that they would seek after Jesus, the greatest treasure there is to be found. (Matthew 19:23-26)

* Ask God to break the influence of the spiritual principalities and powers that are keeping the Muslims from hearing and receiving the Good News of the gospel. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

Background on UAE (World Factbook)

The Trucial States of the Persian Gulf coast granted the UK control of their defense and foreign affairs in 19th century treaties. In 1971, six of these states - Abu Zaby, 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah, Dubayy, and Umm al Qaywayn - merged to form the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They were joined in 1972 by Ra's al Khaymah. The UAE's per capita GDP is on par with those of leading West European nations. Its generosity with oil revenues and its moderate foreign policy stance have allowed the UAE to play a vital role in the affairs of the region.

Economy of the United Arab Emirates

The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. Despite largely successful efforts at economic diversification, about 30% of GDP is still directly based on oil and gas output, and the fortunes of the economy fluctuate with the prices of those commodities. The government has increased spending on job creation and infrastructure expansion and is opening up its utilities to greater private sector involvement. Dependence on a large expatriate workforce and oil are significant long-term challenges to the UAE's economy.

About UAE

Population: 5,148,664 (July 2011 est.) World rank #114
note: estimate is based on the results of the 2005 census that included a significantly higher estimate of net immigration of non-citizens than previous estimates

Life Expectancy at Birth: 76.51 years. World rank #71

Ethnic groups: Emirati 19%, other Arab and Iranian 23%, South Asian 50%, other expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians) 8%
note: less than 20% are UAE citizens

Religions: Muslim 96% (Shi'a 16%), Christian, Hindu, and other 4%

Languages: Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu

Literacy: 77.9% -- Male: 76.1%, Female: 81.7%

School life expectancy: 13 years

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