DUBAI — Muzaffar Ali Ghulam traveled here four years ago at the invitation of his cousin, hoping to build the house of his dreams back in Pakistan for his young family.

The 27-year-old worked 12-hour days as a driver in Dubai, sending most of his salary home to his wife and three children, said his cousin, Masood, who spoke on the condition that only his first name be used because of security concerns. When Iran started firing missiles and drones at the United Arab Emirates a month ago, Masood said, there was no discussion of fleeing Dubai. There was no way they could afford it.