Nuqta is a new iPhone app that allows users to photograph and share images of Arabic script. Courtesy Nuqta
Nuqta is a new iPhone app that allows users to photograph and share images of Arabic script. Courtesy Nuqta
Nuqta is a new iPhone app that allows users to photograph and share images of Arabic script. Courtesy Nuqta
Nuqta is a new iPhone app that allows users to photograph and share images of Arabic script. Courtesy Nuqta

Create a living museum with the Nuqta app

What if you could take the quick-shooting, fast-sharing spirit of Instagram and do something useful with it? Nuqta, a new app available for the iPhone, does exactly that

Christopher Lord

June 24, 2013

  • English
  • Arabic

What if you could take the quick-shooting, fast-sharing spirit of Instagram and do something useful with it? Nuqta, a new app available for the iPhone, does exactly that – tapping in to the urge to snap-and-upload and getting users to create a living, hand-held museum of the Arabic script.

While an early version of the app had its soft launch in Dubai in March during Design Days, the Nuqta team is rolling out a full version of the software from Saturday during London’s Shubbak festival of Arab culture, with the view to incorporating tablets and Android phones in the near future.

What is Nuqta?

Taking its name from the first dot or mark on a page from which all letters begin, Nuqta is a free app that encourages users to find, photograph and share exemplary instances of Arabic script with their smartphone. It’s been developed by Soraya Syed, a classically trained calligrapher, and the graphic designer Mukhtar Sanders. Together they co-founded the London design agency Inspiral Design in 2000, specialising in multilingual design with a leaning towards typography of the Muslim world and they hope this new app can become a resource for type-lovers such as themselves. “We’d like Nuqta to be the Wikipedia of Arabic calligraphy and typography,” says Syed.

How does it work?

Simple. Find a good example of Arabic script – be it a turquoise Ottoman tile, a cleverly calligraphed shopfront or a rather fetching font on a menu – take a quick shot with Nuqta’s in-app camera and let it loose. All photographs are cropped and uploaded straight into Nuqta’s archive, plotted on an interactive map of the world and viewable on www.nuqta.com. This map is already being speckled with a healthy batch of images, and from the official launch the archive will be searchable by style, medium and region. The aim is to foster a self-regulating community in which users comment on uploads, flag up any shaky images and, Syed hopes, offer their expertise on some of the finer rudiments of type. “Nuqta offers a platform for typographers and designers working in the field to come together and interact – too often we work in isolation.”

What can I see?

A snap of a good street sign or a fine work of Arabic graffiti are as encouraged as a beautifully crafted sentence from a medieval manuscript. Herein lies the potential value of this archive because, if it’s used correctly, the user-built collection could offer a timeline showing masters from the past right through to slogans scrawled in the streets around Tahrir Square. “The artwork on the streets is important to Nuqta as it demonstrates how social change may potentially be acting on Arabic calligraphy and typography,” says Syed, adding that Nuqta has been given the thumbs-up from the French-Tunisian street artist and “calligraffist” eL Seed, with a few of his works already pinned on the map.

Who is it aimed at?

Designers and calligraphers, sure, but Syed also sees a much broader appeal. She says the archive could be just as useful for a tourist heading to Istanbul. It has value for those looking to explore some of the more tucked-away libraries or buildings that have beautiful examples of Arabic writing. Just a quick skim across Nuqta’s map reveals a remarkably broad sweep, from a handcrafted door in Zanzibar to the word “Alnasr” (victory) cut into the salt marshes in Qatar’s hinterland. There’s a wall frieze from the Alhambra in Andalusia and a finely wrought calligraphic birth certificate from a user just outside Delaware.

Syed was awarded her Islamic calligraphy licence from one of Istanbul’s coveted colleges. She says that masters in the field are noticing a recent surge of new talent coming to the art form. “It’s definitely up-and-coming. Because of the internet, calligraphers can get immediate reactions to their work, which helps.”

How do I get involved?

Nuqta can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store. A more complete version of the website including access to the searchable archive, the options to craft a profile and comment on uploads, will be available after Saturday’s launch, coinciding with an event at the art foundation Edge of Arabia’s Testbed space in London, from 5pm to 7pm. For more information, see www.nuqta.com.

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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. 

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Three ways to get a gratitude glow

By committing to at least one of these daily, you can bring more gratitude into your life, says Ong.

  • During your morning skincare routine, name five things you are thankful for about yourself.
  • As you finish your skincare routine, look yourself in the eye and speak an affirmation, such as: “I am grateful for every part of me, including my ability to take care of my skin.”
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What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

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ODI series schedule 1st ODI, Dubai: October 13; 2nd ODI, Abu Dhabi: October 16; 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi: October 18; 4th ODI, Sharjah: October 20; 5th ODI, Sharjah: October 23

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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

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From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

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Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

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Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

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