BACKGROUND

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The Emirate of Mohammerah was an Arab emirate located in what was historically known as Arabistan, a region located at the northern most point of the Arabian Gulf. It was centered around the port city of Mohammerah (present-day Khorramshahr) and ruled by the Al Mirdaw dynasty, a powerful Arab family that emerged from the Banu Ka'b tribal confederation.

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Strategically situated at the meeting point of the Karun and Shatt al-Arab rivers, the Emirate of Mohammerah became a thriving center of trade, agriculture, and navigation. Its Arab rulers maintained a strong cultural and political identity, distinct from Ottoman and Qajar authority, and enjoyed a high degree of autonomy. The capital city of Mohammerah was an important gateway to the Gulf, giving the emirate economic leverage and regional influence.

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While officially under Qajar suzerainty, the rulers of Mohammerah governed Arabistan as independent rulers, maintaining their own administration, armed forces, and foreign relations—particularly with the British, who saw strategic value in the emirate. The most notable of these rulers was Sheikh Khazʿal ibn Jabir Al Mirdaw, who led the emirate during its peak and navigated the complex regional dynamics with skill and authority. 

 

Sheikh Khaz’al ibn Jabir was known for a wide range of influential actions that extended far beyond his own territory in Mohammerah. He actively supported the Chaldean Christian community, offering them protection and fostering peaceful coexistence under his rule, which was notable in a region often marked by sectarian tensions. He was also a strong backer of Arab unity and independence movements—he supported the early efforts for the independence of Kuwait and Nejd, providing both political backing and financial assistance. His generosity was legendary across the Arabian Gulf; The founder and president of the United Arab Emirates, Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, once remarked that “Sheikh Khazaal was the Sheikh of Sheikhs of the Arabian Gulf and he used to financially support the other rulers of the Gulf during the days of poverty before oil.” True to this, he extended financial aid to struggling traders in Kuwait and Dubai, helping to sustain local economies in an era of hardship and scarcity. His actions made him a central figure in shaping the early modern history of the Gulf, earning him deep respect and lasting recognition among Gulf Arab leaders.

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The rise of Reza Khan in Iran, along with a growing desire to incorporate the oil-rich lands of Arabistan into the emerging modern Iranian state, led to the military occupation of the emirate in 1925. In a move to erase Arab identity and reinforce a unified Persian national image, the region was renamed Khuzestan, and efforts were made to remove visible Arab elements from its public and political life.

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Today, the former territory of the Emirate of Mohammerah is part of Iran’s Khuzestan province. Although the name "Arabistan" is no longer officially used, the region remains home to a significant Arab population that continues to preserve its linguistic, cultural, and tribal heritage.