A recent story

In 1952, seven elders, on the advice and under the patronage of the United Kingdom, created a council consisting of seven rulers with the decision to form a federation. In 1968, the British government announced that it would withdraw its forces three years later. Seven States together with Qatar and Oman formed the Federation of Arab Emirate. Sheikh Ras al-Khaimah joined in 1972. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan became the first president of the newly formed state.

The OAU resisted the invasion of Iraq in Kuwait in 1991 and participated in the Gulf War on the side of the coalition forces of the United Nations.

Economy

OAU - a major oil producing country. Major branches of economy: oil and gas and petrochemical, fish, construction furniture, small-scale shipbuilding, etc. Thanks to the accelerated development of the oil and gas industry, the OAU has the highest average annual income per capita for the indigenous peoples of the Arabian Peninsula. The OAU economy maintains traditional branches of the economy (oasis, agriculture, crafts, transit trade) and the rapidly developing oil and gas industry, which provides the bulk of government profits and almost all foreign exchange earnings. Oil and gas processing, petrochemical and metallurgical industries are also developing.

Due to large profits from oil exports, the transport network has been considerably improved. There are no railways in the OAU, but a well-developed network of highways connecting the main cities of the country. In the early 1990's there were six international airports in the country. In 1988, Dubai opened the seaport of Jebel Ali, which has the largest artificial harbor in the world.

People

The population of OAU has an uneven gender distribution: men are twice as many as women.

The most populated city is Dubai (1.6 million people). Other major cities are Abu Dhabi, El Ayn, Sharjag and Fujairah. About 88% of the population of the United Arab Emirates lives in cities. The rest of the inhabitants live in tiny villages-oases, scattered throughout the country or in one of the many camp-settlements in the desert around mineral deposits. The average life expectancy is 78.24 years, which is higher than in any other Arab country.

Arabic is the official language of the OAU. The country also uses English, Hindi, Urdu, Farsi and Tagalog.

In 2009, the OAE population amounted to 4.8 million people, of which approximately 21.9% were indigenous citizens of the country, while others were foreigners. As a result, OAU citizens make up a minority of those living in the country. OAU has one of the most pronounced population groups of the emigrant type throughout the Middle East, as most of the population (about 70%) are migrants, of which 50% are from South Asia. Despite this, the country has a high standard of living and economic opportunities, as the government is trying to attract highly skilled workers from around the world.

In 2007, there were about 1.4 million Indian citizens in the UAE, making them one of the largest diasporas, as well as 85,000 Palestinians. There are also significant ethnic minorities from Egypt, Somalia and Sudan, who migrated to the UAE before they were formed, as states. OAU also attracts a small number of expatriates from developed countries of Europe, North America, Asia and Oceania.

There is a certain segregation in the OAU. Of course, OAE citizens and neighboring rich countries (Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia) are among the "top of the Olympus". Then in high esteem Europeans and Americans with Australians. Next are the remaining "white" nations, including the post-Soviet ones. The lowest social stage (with the corresponding salary and living conditions) is occupied by Indians, Filipinos, Pakistanis, Sri Lankans and Africans.

Religion

Of the 4.4 million people permanently residing in the country, 97% are Muslims.

The Constitution proclaims that Islam is the official religion of all seven emirate founders of this federal union.

There are also several Christian churches in the country. Four emirates allowed the use of Parish Christian primary and secondary schools.

In 2011, the first Orthodox temple complex built on the territory of the Arab Emirates - the Holy Apostle Philip, located in Sharjah, was first built in the history of Christianity.

The emergence of Ukrainian

Diaspora

Migration processes are constantly taking place in the OAU, because foreigners can stay there only temporarily. The average length of stay in a country is 2-5 years, although some people live there 7-10 years, and a dozen Ukrainians - 20-25 years.

For the most part, young people come to earn money or use this country as a springboard for further migration.

At present, approximately 5,000-7,000 Ukrainians live in the United Arab Emirates. Recently, this figure has increased, because more Ukrainian citizens are forced to travel abroad in search of earnings.

Ukrainians mostly live In Dubai emirate. Those living in the neighboring emirate of Sharjah and Ajman also work mainly in Dubai. In the capital, UAE, Abu Dhabi also has Ukrainians. The Abu Dhabites are much smaller than the "Dubayans" and "Shadjins", but they are gathering weekly for sports and cultural events, playing beach volleyball, doing yoga, holding various events on holidays, etc. Now there are no official public organizations in the OAU, And two years ago there was no Ukrainian community at all in the OAU, because Ukrainians attributed themselves to a single community of immigrants from post-Soviet countries. After the annexation of Crimea, there was a mental split between Ukrainians and Russians, after which Ukrainians began to create their own cultural environment. All began with a fee of five for coffee. Then there were many initiatives in different areas, each with curators and activists. Among such initiatives are a business club, a children's club (monthly thematic events for children), sports events (weekly football, volleyball, climbing, sometimes skating or fishing). There is a girl's club of interests. There is also a mothers' club, where young mothers can solve their questions every day and share useful information, things, gather in parks for carts and children's walks. There is an art club that brings together all creative diasporas for the organization of joint projects and flash mobs. There was also a recruiting initiative - a Facebook group where members of the Ukrainian community publish vacancies to enable them to work for their compatriots. A fashion club was created - an association of Ukrainian designers and distributors of Ukrainian clothing, which runs mini-shows. Recently, the UAE hosts performances by Ukrainian artists and artists. For example, in January Oleg Skrypka made a speech, and in April it was Les Podereviansky. A few years ago, a Ukrainian church appeared, after which there was no need to visit the existing temple of the Russian Orthodox Church. Of course, such initiatives are largely unregistered legally. Everything is rather improvised, only thanks to the energy, dedication and inspiration of the organizers of a particular event. This is due to several reasons: the ban on any political or campaign activity in the OAU; The complexity of registration of public associations; Temporary stay of all expatriates in this country (Emirati, as well as neighboring Arab countries, do not provide citizenship). There are only temporary biennial work visas that need to be constantly renewed in OAETUT. They are mostly in hotels, branded stores, real estate and Tourism, beauty salons and restaurants. That is, in places where a white presentable appearance has a priority in working with clients, but there is no need to pay too much. There are a small number of our doctors and engineers, and about the same number of entrepreneurs. At the same time, unlike other countries, in the Emirates Ukrainians do not work as cleaners, loaders, builders or mischief. Most top managers of companies are getting - this niche is occupied by the British. Judges, prosecutors and lawyers can work only citizens of the country. Engineers and doctors also make good money. Ukrainians are easily arranged for such professions, but provided they have appropriate education, a thorough knowledge of English and a local license for their activities. Teachers in the UAE have a very small salary. The key problem is the lack of a solid layer of Ukrainian business and business in the UAE. This creates some financial and legal insecurity, limits the possibilities of organizing public and cultural institutions. Salaries and social standards in the UAE Nursing homes, cleaners, builders receive a salary of $ 500. Hotel and restaurant staff - $ 800- $ 1000, as well as social package - accommodation in the hostel, form, transportation, visa costs and medical insurance. At office positions earn $ 2000- $ 3000. Few teachers get less. Doctors can have a salary of $ 4,000 and $ 15,000. In Dubai, the bed will cost $ 300 a month, the room is $ 800- $ 1000, the apartment is from $ 1200- $ 1500. In other emirates, it is cheaper. For expatriates in the UAE, there are no social benefits, benefits, pensions, subsidies. It forms the responsibility for themselves and their families. Average education, medicine, rest - are paid and cost expensive. A tourist visa in the UAE costs $ 100- $ 110 per month and is made online for several days only after scan of a passport. A resident work visa can be issued only by the employer at his own expense. To get it, you must necessarily undergo medical tests. 

Kukharenko, vikorsor of the newspaper "Migration"