Art Dubai is around the corner. The city’s premier art event often marks its busiest art season with several galleries rolling out new exhibitions to coincide with the fair.
From an exhibition dedicated to Palestinian photographer Majd Arandas to an open studio delving into the artistic process and pathos of Emirati artist Rami Farook, here are a few exhibitions and events to see across the UAE this weekend.
Vanishing Points: Imran Qureshi at Concrete
Hyderabad-born artist Imran Qureshi is best known for his idiosyncratic take on Persian miniature painting, while also drawing inspiration from Mughal and Sikh architectural traditions.
His exhibition at Concrete is curated by Nada Raza, director of Alserkal Arts Foundation and is a highlight of Alserkal Art Week. It surveys contemporary South Asian cityscapes through photography, video, painting, and a site-specific installation.
Monday to Sunday, 10am-7pm; April 13 to 20; Concrete, Dubai
A Memorial in Fragments at Gulf Photo Plus
This exhibition presents a major body of work by Majd Arandas. The Palestinian photographer was killed in November 2023 by an Israeli air strike near his home in Deir al-Balah, Gaza.
The works presented in A Memorial in Fragments show Arandas’s natural sense of composition and ability to capture a wide gamut of emotions. The photographs were recovered by the photographer's brother after his tragic death. The exhibition also explores the function of photography not just in the documentation of the present but in providing testimony for the future.
Monday to Saturday, 10am-7pm; April 13 to August 13; Gulf Photo Plus, Dubai
Voices and Visions at Khawla Art and Culture
Voices and Visions presents a wide variety of work by Arab women artists. It includes the vibrant canvasses of Hend Rashid, the textured portraits of Fatma Lootah, acrylic works by Mariam Abbas and mixed media paintings by Fatima Al-Nimr that incorporate motifs from UAE heritage.
Monday to Thursday, 9am-5pm; Friday, 8am – 3pm; until May 6; Khawla Art and Culture, Abu Dhabi
Open Studio: Now Is Not The Time For Pretty Pictures at Satellite
Rami Farook has often found creativity in ugliness. In this open studio session, which comes as part of Alserkal Art Week, the Emirati artist will be presenting a series of works, some of which he began as far back as 2009. The works in the open studio reflect upon subjects such as decay, suffering and inhumanity. Instead of shying away from the grotesque, Farook instead seeks to coax from these topics an emotional experience, even if it comes at the expense of visual appeal.
Sunday, 9am- 6pm; April 13; Satellite, Dubai
John Clang’s Reading by an Artist at Al Mureijah Square
Singaporean artist John Clang is returning to Sharjah to offer another round of his performance series Reading by an Artist. Clang sits with individuals and predicts life events based on several divination systems. These include geomancy, which comes from zi wei dou shu, a traditional Chinese fortunetelling system. The readings, often lasting an hour, result in a unique chart or portrait for each of the sitters.
The performances are meant to blur the lines of art and lived experience. Prior registration is required through the Sharjah Art Foundation website.
Registration required; April 10 to 23; Al Mureijah Square, Sharjah
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
RESULTS
2.15pm: Al Marwan Group Holding – Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner: SS Jalmod, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
2.45pm: Sharjah Equine Hospital – Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Ghallieah, Sebastien Martino, Jean-Claude Pecout
3.15pm: Al Marwan Group Holding – Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Inthar, Saif Al Balushi, Khalifa Al Neyadi
3.45pm: Al Ain Stud Emirates Breeders Trophy – Conditions (PA) Dh50,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: MH Rahal, Richard Mullen, Elise Jeanne
4.25pm: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Cup – Prestige Handicap (PA) Dh100,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: JAP Aneed, Ray Dawson, Irfan Ellahi
4.45pm: Sharjah Equine Hospital – Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Edaraat, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
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
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Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Match info:
Burnley 0
Manchester United 2
Lukaku (22', 44')
Red card: Marcus Rashford (Man United)
Man of the match: Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United)
How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
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Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
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