Lârestani Community in Dubai and the Formation of a Transnational Identity

The region of Lârestan, in the south of Iran, maintained continuous relations with the southern shore of the Persian Gulf well before the 20th century, most notably in the form of migratory flows which had their influence on both home and host countries. On the creation of the Arab states along the southern shore of the Gulf, the great majority of individuals originating from the region were granted the new states’ nationalities. In the United Arab Emirates, after the creation of the country in 1971, and in Dubai in particular, new migrants, now defined as “temporary workers” to reflect policies restricting access to Emirati nationality, joined those already settled, and others have continued to do so since. While the ensuing difference in administrative status between Lârestani-born residents in Dubai is now giving rise to new rifts within the one community, it has not, however, prevented them from keeping up links with their country of origin through a variety of trans-national fields, whether social, political or cultural, enabling the emergence of a genuine trans-national community. This presentation will attempt to explore identity-related issues arising within the Larestani community, in relation with the trans-national dynamics in which they participate. It will be illustrated with examples such as the creation of a theatre group, of a trans-national press, of charitable networks, and active participation in the political life of the home country.