Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince sets a good example

I refer to Sheikh Mohammed leads from the front (October 3), about Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, joining cyclists at the weekly "Train Yas" event.

What a great way to promote training and exercise.

Congratulations to His Highness; he is an example to us all – walkers, joggers and runners as well as cyclists.

Well done, too, to the operators of Yas Marina Circuit for allowing people to participate in this event for free.

Alan Cardy, Abu Dhabi

Early detection is key to cancer fight

I was moved by Women shun breast exams out of fear (October 5).

This is a message to all women; it is not intended to scare you, but rather to make you aware so that you watch for every little sign of breast cancer.

My beautiful young wife, who had no family history of cancer, was breastfeeding when she started noticing a change in her skin colour.

She wasn’t sure what it was. The doctor thought it was some sort of inflammation, so he prescribed her some antibiotics and sent her home.

When she sought another opinion, the doctor prescribed even stronger antibiotics, but the “rash” would disappear for a short while, only to come back stronger and bigger.

We eventually came across a specialist who was able to diagnose it as inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), a soft-textured, rare, but very aggressive type of cancer that, if not quickly and aggressively treated, will spread all over the body.

My wife had a series of tests which showed the cancer had already spread to the ovaries.

After 30 long and difficult months of outstanding bravery, hard fighting, pain, chemotherapy, hospitals, surgeries, radiotherapy and lots of medications – some that caused even more pain – she passed away a couple of weeks ago in Canada at the age of 29 leaving behind a four-year-old son.

Name withheld by request

Save the humans, not just the planet

I am writing in reference to the essay in The Review about the world's rising population, Counting the Cost (October 5).

The Earth is perfectly fine. Over millions of years the Earth has faced far tougher conditions than a mild increase in temperature.

Hippies and other activists are always going on about saving the planet. The concern is not about how it will affect the Earth, but rather how it will affect humans. This is all about self-preservation, not that of a planet.

Earth was here long before us, and it will be here long after we are gone.

Theo Scheepers, Dubai

Haj is culmination of a Muslim’s life

The Haj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, is not just a journey; it’s an experience of a lifetime.

Haj is the name of the collective worship that also involves collective living. The pleasures and the pains are part of the journey – a duty that mankind owes to Allah.

In pursuit of the pleasure of God, the Muslim pilgrim sets out on a journey which ultimately leads to the Plains of Arafat outside Mecca. But this strenuous journey commences much earlier. It is, in fact, the culmination of a spiritual journey which starts at the beginning of the life of every Muslim on this planet.

Preparations for the Haj include learning its rituals and spiritual dimensions. It brings about a new understanding of our status in society.

It also makes one realise how insignificant we really are in the big picture of God's creation. Samaoen Osman, Abu Dhabi

An arrangement that doesn’t suit

I refer to the continuing online discussion regarding Asmaa Al Hameli's blog post Marriage is an unplanned commitment in the UAE (May 23).

In times past, women accepted everything that came their way. That is why arranged marriages were convenient.

It is not the case nowadays and traditions that used to fit society decades ago do not belong in today’s world.

Myriam N, Dubai

Television show reflects unreality

After reading Abu Dhabi's real housewives (October 6), about women who would like to star in a TV show, I would prefer to meet the real businesswomen of the UAE – women who do something good for society, the environment, human rights and so on.

This “real housewife” stuff is putting women back a century.

Brigitte von Bulow, Abu Dhabi

Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

UAE SQUAD

Ahmed Raza (Captain), Rohan Mustafa, Jonathan Figy, CP Rizwan, Junaid Siddique, Mohammad Usman, Basil Hameed, Zawar Farid, Vriitya Aravind (WK), Waheed Ahmed, Karthik Meiyappan, Zahoor Khan, Darius D'Silva, Chirag Suri

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.

8. Pillar 2 implementation

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince sets a good example

A reader says the Crown Prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, is setting a good example by promoting the benefits of exercise. Other topics: the tragedy of breast cancer and the importance of the Haj.

Islamophobia definition

UAE SQUAD

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026