Shia Islam in the United Arab Emirates

It is also practiced among expatriate Muslim communities living in the country, most notably Iranians,[1][2] as well as some Arabs, Pakistanis, Indians, and other nationalities.

[3] Non-Twelver Shia branches such as Ismailis and the Dawoodi Bohras are also present in the UAE and account for less than 5% of the total population.

[4] Shia nationals are concentrated in the city of Dubai, belonging mostly to the latest (1920s) wave of migrants who managed to obtain citizenship.

In Dubai, the government appoints all imams, whether Sunni or Shia, as well as regulating religious sermon content preached in mosques.

The land it was built on was donated by then Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.