<P> Islam is the largest and the official state religion of the UAE . The government follows a policy of tolerance toward other religions and rarely interferes in the activities of non-Muslims . By the same token, non-Muslims are expected to avoid interfering in Islamic religious matters or the Islamic upbringing of Muslims . </P> <P> The government imposes restrictions on spreading other religions through any form of media as it is considered a form of proselytizing . There are approximately 31 churches throughout the country, one Hindu temple in the region of Bur Dubai, one Sikh Gurudwara in Jebel Ali and also a Buddhist temple in Al Garhoud . </P> <P> Based on the Ministry of Economy census in 2005, 76% of the total population was Muslim, 9% Christian, and 15% other (mainly Hindu). Census figures do not take into account the many "temporary" visitors and workers while also counting Baha'is and Druze as Muslim . Among Emirati Muslim citizens, 85% are Sunni, while Shi'a are 15%, mostly concentrated in the emirates of Sharjah and Dubai . Omani immigrants are mostly Ibadi, while Sufi influences exist too . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th_colspan="10"> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> Largest cities or towns in the United Arab Emirates 2008 Calculation (some figures up to 2012) </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> </Th> <Th> Rank </Th> <Th> Name </Th> <Th> Emirate </Th> <Th> Pop . </Th> <Th> </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Dubai Abu Dhabi </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Dubai </Td> <Td> Dubai </Td> <Td> 2,106,533 </Td> <Td> Sharjah Al Ain </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Abu Dhabi </Td> <Td> Abu Dhabi </Td> <Td> 1,935,234 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Sharjah </Td> <Td> Sharjah </Td> <Td> 1,332,455 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Al Ain </Td> <Td> Abu Dhabi </Td> <Td> 580,000 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 5 </Td> <Td> Ajman </Td> <Td> Ajman </Td> <Td> 403,923 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 6 </Td> <Td> Al Gharbia </Td> <Td> Abu Dhabi </Td> <Td> 290,450 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 7 </Td> <Td> Ras Al Khaimah </Td> <Td> Ras al Khaimah </Td> <Td> 230,903 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 8 </Td> <Td> Fujairah </Td> <Td> Fujairah </Td> <Td> 145,940 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 9 </Td> <Td> Dibba </Td> <Td> Fujairah </Td> <Td> 78,200 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 10 </Td> <Td> Um Al Quwain </Td> <Td> Um Al Quwain </Td> <Td> 72,936 </Td> </Tr> </Table>

What continent is the area known as the middle east located on