[1] Their ancestry can be traced back to individuals who were historically involved in trade and cultural exchanges between the Arabian Peninsula, Iran, and various regions of Africa.

[2][3] The history of Afro-Emiratis dates back centuries, with evidence of trade and cultural interactions between the Arabian Peninsula and Africa existing since ancient times.

The UAE's proximity to the Omani, British, and Portuguese Empires and its involvement in maritime trade routes as well as the pearl diving industry played a significant role in shaping the presence of individuals of African descent in the region.

While some residents were incorporated as citizens, others found themselves marginalized due to perceived bloodlines that didn't fit into the imagined "national" communities of the newly formed states.

The categorization of Zanzibaris as Arabs was contested, with differing perspectives from British authorities, UNHCR, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai, impacting where they could reside and what rights they could have.

This ambiguity stemmed from concerns over pan-Arabism, prompting the British government to tighten controls on "illegal migration" through stricter residency permit and visa systems.

However, Zanzibari's presence in Dubai and Abu Dhabi often challenged these regulations, leading to tensions during events like the "Middle East War" in the late 1960s, where demonstrations erupted, unsettling British advisors and local governments.

Records from the Dubai Ruler’s Court reveal efforts to document minorities as Arabs showing attempts to integrate Zanzibaris.

The federal government's issuance of Comoros passports to Zanzibaris further complicated their status, effectively re-categorizing them as "African" despite their cultural and linguistic assimilation as Emiratis.

Despite facing social stigma and challenges related to racial identity and acceptance, Afro-Emiratis continue to celebrate and preserve their heritage.

The British administration in the Trucial States, while officially condemning slavery, struggled to enforce anti-slavery measures due to concerns over economic stability and political unrest.

[20] Slavery routes into the Trucial States varied, with enslaved individuals trafficked from East Africa, the Persian Gulf, and South Asia.