UAE's Silent Purge: Pakistani Shiite Workers Expelled Amidst Discrimination

The expulsion of thousands of Pakistani Shiite workers from the United Arab Emirates represents a grave injustice and a stark display of religious discrimination, as reported by Le Monde and echoed by El Watan.

These individuals, who dedicated years of their lives and labor to the UAE's prosperity, are being treated as criminals, stripped of their assets, savings, and dignity. The cold, brutal efficiency of their deportation—confiscating phones to block access to bank accounts and leaving behind cars, furniture, and entire lives—is a violation of basic human rights.

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I was treated like a criminal. My only fault was my faith.

While Emirati authorities remain officially silent, the regional geopolitical climate, particularly tensions with Iran, appears to be the driving force behind this 'silent purge.' The Pakistani Shiite community's cultural and religious ties to Iran are being weaponized, turning long-term residents into 'undesirables' overnight.

This situation is particularly concerning for the two million Pakistanis residing in the UAE. It highlights a disturbing trend where individuals contributing to a nation's economy are arbitrarily discarded based on their faith and perceived geopolitical affiliations. El Watan views this as a critical issue, underscoring the vulnerability of migrant workers and the potential for religious and political tensions to fuel such discriminatory practices.

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nearly 15,000 people, about 5,000 families, have suffered the same fate in a matter of weeks. All are Shiite.