U.S. Department of State Background Note United Arab Emirates
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U.A.E. was formed from the group of tribally organized Arabian
Peninsula Sheikhdoms along the southern coast of the Persian
Gulf and the northwestern coast of the Gulf of Oman. This area
was converted to Islam in the Seventh century; for centuries it
was embroiled in dynastic disputes. It became known as the
Pirate Coast as raiders based there harassed foreign shipping,
although both European and Arab navies patrolled the area from
the 17th century into the 19th century. Early British
expeditions to protect the India trade from raiders at Ras al-
Khaimah led to campaigns against that headquarters and other
harbors along the coast in 1819. The next year, a general peace
treaty was signed to which all the principal sheikhs of the
coast adhered. Raids continued intermittently until 1835, when
the sheikhs agreed not to engage in hostilities at sea. In 1853,
they signed a treaty with the Uni