Community
UAE (Dubai)
More than 50,000 Somalis live in the UAE, some since before 1972, mostly in Dubai's Deira and Abu Dhabi's Musaffah. Dubai is the main finance and trade hub for Somali business, but residency must be renewed and the law strictly limits collecting money.
Who lives there
More than 50,000 Somalis live in the UAE, some since before 1972. They cluster in Dubai's Deira, around the Gold Souq, and in Abu Dhabi's Musaffah. Many Somalis born in the UAE speak Gulf Arabic (The National, 2022). Official figures are scarce, because host states rarely count Somalis separately (Clingendael, 2019).
Work and money
- A hub for Somali business: Dubai became "Somalia's lifeline" after the civil war. The money-transfer firm Dahabshiil has its headquarters there. Many younger Somalis work as professionals in health, retail and media (Clingendael).
- Trade: Dubai has more than 100 Somali-run businesses in gold, textiles, hotels, money exchange and cargo to Somalia by air and sea (The National).
- Money home: money sent by the diaspora to Somali regions, from all countries, is about $1.3 billion a year (Clingendael).
The law on collecting money
Federal Law No. 3 of 2021 bans individuals from collecting donations, except through approved bodies such as the Emirates Red Crescent. Donations abroad must follow Foreign Ministry rules, and online fundraising needs a permit. Fines reach Dh500,000, plus prison (Khaleej Times).
What the community faces now
- Residency: permits must be renewed, and protection is weak even for people who have lived there for decades (Clingendael).
- Strict donation law: collecting money informally is a crime.
Top needs
- A lawful, safe way to move money home that people can check.
- Trusted records for business and trade links to Somalia.
- Skills and paid work flowing home.
- A voice that respects UAE law.
- Young people born in the UAE kept close to Somalia.
How Calankii works here
No public collection, rallies or meetings in the UAE. Money goes person to person, by licensed remitters or mobile money, straight to a named project at home.
What we don't know yet
An up-to-date count, and the lives of the poorest workers and people whose papers have lapsed. If you know, use "Fix this page".
Sources
- The National, 2022 · thenationalnews.com
- Clingendael, 2019 · clingendael.org
- Khaleej Times · khaleejtimes.com
Gathered in our research record “Community profiles”. Wikipedia is used only as a backup.
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