Ayam (people)

Ayam
العيم
Regions with significant populations
Kuwait City
Religion
Predominantly Shi'a Islam
Minority Sunni Islam
Related ethnic groups
Ajam of Bahrain

Ayam[1][2] (Kuwaiti Arabic):العيّم are Kuwaiti citizens of Iranian origin, who migrated to Kuwait over the last couple of hundred years. Marafi Behbahani was one of the first merchants to settle in Kuwait in the 18th century.[3]

Most Ayam are Shia Muslims. However, some Kuwaitis of Iranian origin are Sunnis. The Kuwaitis of Iranian Balochi origin are predominantly Sunni Muslim.[4] Balochi families first immigrated to Kuwait in the 19th century.[5]

There are also Ayam who originate from Mecca and Medina, but had moved during the Abbasid rule to Iran due to Persecution; after the Abbasid caliphate Al-Ma'moon forced the 8th Shia imam, Ali al-Ridha to stay in Merv in Khorasan.[6] A lot of Shia wanted to visit their imam, but where stopped in their way while in Persia.[7] Most of them settled their after that. Most of Al-Musawi family come from this line.

Notable people

See also

References

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