DELHI PRIVATE SCHOOL, DUBAI

HANDOUT FOR UAE SST

HISTORY
GRADE: VIII

MONTH-APRIL
TOPIC: THE UMAYYAD CALIPHATE

The Umayyads were the first Muslim dynasty—that is, they were the first rulers of the Islamic
Empire to pass down power within their family. Under their rule, which lasted from 661 to 750
AD, the early Islamic community was transformed into the most powerful empire of the
day.Their controversial practice of handing down power from father to son made them a
controversial dynasty, which ultimately led to their fall.
Conquests of the Umayyad
Under the Umayyads the Caliphate grew rapidly geographically.
Islamic rule expanded westward across North Africa and in to Hispania and eastward through
Persia and ultimately to Sindh and Punjab in modern day Pakistan.
This made it one of the largest unitary states in the history of West Eurasia, extending its entire
breadth, and one of the few states in history to ever extend direct rule over three continents
(Africa, Europe, and Asia). Although not ruling all of the Sahara, homage was paid to the Caliph
by Saharan Africa usually via various nomad Berber tribes.
The Umayyad Caliphs role in spreading Islam and safeguarding the Islamic state.
The Umayyads took credit for unifying culture in the Islamic world. They managed to spread
Islam to an extensive area of the world with various nations and cultures that were exposed to
Greek, Roman, Syriac and Assyrian influences. Had it not been for the deep understanding of the
Umayyad Caliphs of the intellectual and moral values of the ancient Arab legacy, the deep
knowledge of the new Islamic religion and the overpowering desire of the Caliph -the Amir of
the Believers -in performing his main duties represented in the safeguarding and the protection of
Islam, in addition to their open-mindedness and their natural willingness to make use of the
experience of others.
Islam spread quickly in the seventh century through two primary means. The first method was
conquest. Although no one was forced to convert after Muslim conquests, many found it
advantageous. The second method was trade, which spread the message of Islam through
merchants.
Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan
He was the 5th Umayyad caliph. He was born in Medina, Hejaz, Abd al-Malik was a well-
educated man and capable ruler who was able to solve many political problems that impeded his
rule. The 14th-century Muslim historian Ibn Khaldun stated that Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan is one
of the greatest Arab and Muslim Caliphs.
During his reign, all important records were translated into Arabic, and for the first time, a
special currency for the Muslim world was minted.
Al Walid Bin Abd al malik
He was the son Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan.
Walid began the first major building projects of Islam. The history of Islamic architecture can be
said to have begun in earnest with Walid. Around 701, al-Walid completed the building of Al-
Aqsa Mosque, opposite his father's Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount. He also improved
roads, mountain passes and wells.
It was during Walid's reign that Islamic court culture began to develop. With the Caliph as the
patron, artists and writers began to develop a new, partly secular culture based on Islamic ideas.
Let’s Recall
1. Which Muslim dynasty was the first to start hereditary succession?
2. Explain the geographical expansion under the Umayyads?
3. Describe the efforts of Umayyads in spreading Islam.
4. Abd al-Malik is one of the greatest Arab and Muslim Caliph. Explain
5. State the reasons for the spread of Islam during the Umayyad Caliphate.
 GRADE VIII
UAE SST HANDOUT GEOGRAPHY
TOPIC:PATTERNS OF MIGRATION AND THEIR IMPACT

A. Long-term Migration. Examples of people in this category include:

1) Labor migrants (these can be either high-skilled or low-skilled workers who seek permanent
employment elsewhere);
2) Professional, business or investor migrants (e.g., individuals in specific professions, or those
who invest or establish businesses in a receiving country);
3) Forced migrants (e.g., political or religious refugees and asylum seekers).

B. Temporary Migration. Examples of people in this category include:

1) Labor migrants (e.g., seasonal migrants, laborers on temporary working visas, or commuter
migrants);
2) Professional and business migrants (e.g., diplomats and other business migrants, religious
migrants);
3) Student and scholar migrants (e.g., degree-seeking students, short-term students, and exchange
scholars).

IMPACT OF MIGRATION ON HUMAN CHARACTERISTICS

Economic costs include:
 The loss of people with skills and entrepreneurial talents, which may slow
economic development
 Regions where-out migration takes place may suffer from a spiral decline that is difficult
to halt
 The loss of labour may deter investments by private organizations in the country,
increasing dependence on governmental initiatives

Economic benefits include:

  Reduced under-employment in the source country
 Returning migrants bring new skills to the country, which may help to revitalize the
home economy
 Many migrants send remittances home and much of this money is reinvested in the
economy and projects such as new buildings and services.
 There is less pressure on resources in the area, including basic supplies such as food
essential services such as healthcare.

Social costs include:

 The perceived benefits of migration encourage more of the same generation to migrate,
which has a detrimental effect on social structure
 There is a disproportionate number of females left behind
 The non-return of migrants causes an imbalance in the population pyramid
 Returning retired migrants may impose a social cost on the community if support
mechanisms are not in place to cater for them.

Social benefits include:

 The population density is reduced and the birth rate decreases, as it is the younger adults
who migrate
 Remittances sent home by economic migrants can finance improved education and
health facilities.
 Returning retired migrants increase social expectations in the community, for example,
the demand for better leisure facilities.

IMPACT OF MIGRATION ON UAE

The immigrants have helped in the improvement of the productivity of the country and the
increase in the income.
The immigrants who have arrived in the UAE are skilled it is highly probable and has also been
noticed that they contribute to the innovation in different industries and therefore have a positive
impact on the economy of the region.
They have contributed to a great deal to the advancement of technology in the UAE.
Some of the immigrants work in the UAE as entrepreneurs which has further developed and
improved their economy.

Conclusion
The UAE has been known for all different industries. The immigrants who came to the UAE
functions in different industries in the UAE such as information technology, construction, oil and
petroleum. The impacts which have been noticed on the labour market are varied. There have
been positive as well as negative effects on the labour market (Migration & States, Arab
Migration in a Globalized World, 2004). However, the major impact which has been noticed is
on the economy and the cultural diversity of the UAE. The difference in skill set of the
individuals and the difference in the cultures of the individuals have contributed to the diversity
in the UAE society. The UAE is considered as a region where maximum opportunities can be
grabbed by individuals. As a result of the availability of a large number of opportunities there
have been a large number of migrants in the region.

QUESTIONS:
1. Give two examples each for long term migration and temporary migration.
2. Mention any two economic benefits of migration.
3. Discuss the impact of migration in the UAE.