• The Dubai Frame. Photo: Bachir Moukarzel
    The Dubai Frame. Photo: Bachir Moukarzel
  • A classic car pictured on The Palm Jumeirah. Photo: ShuGa Photography
    A classic car pictured on The Palm Jumeirah. Photo: ShuGa Photography
  • Downtown Dubai. Photo: Bachir Moukarzel
    Downtown Dubai. Photo: Bachir Moukarzel
  • Melissa Maarek, photographed for 'Villa 88' magazine. Photo: Ausra Osipaviciute
    Melissa Maarek, photographed for 'Villa 88' magazine. Photo: Ausra Osipaviciute
  • A retro-style postcard from Dubai. Photo: AlverArt
    A retro-style postcard from Dubai. Photo: AlverArt
  • Chanel Ayan, photographed in the Hatta desert. Photo: Adnan Browning-Hill
    Chanel Ayan, photographed in the Hatta desert. Photo: Adnan Browning-Hill
  • Inside the One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai. Photo: One&Only Royal Mirage
    Inside the One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai. Photo: One&Only Royal Mirage
  • The aquarium at Atlantis, The Palm. Photo: Atlantis, The Palm
    The aquarium at Atlantis, The Palm. Photo: Atlantis, The Palm
  • Artist Zeid Jaouni photographed in Al Satwa. Photo: Francesco Luigi Scotti
    Artist Zeid Jaouni photographed in Al Satwa. Photo: Francesco Luigi Scotti
  • The pool at Caesars Palace Dubai. Photo: Caesars Palace Dubai
    The pool at Caesars Palace Dubai. Photo: Caesars Palace Dubai
  • The lobby at Burj Al Arab. Photo: Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts
    The lobby at Burj Al Arab. Photo: Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts

'Dubai Wonder': new Assouline book celebrates the city's history and future in photos


Selina Denman
  • English
  • Arabic

From the Creek to Al Quoz and DIFC to Expo 2020 Dubai, a new book by Assouline showcases the many facets of Dubai. Titled Dubai Wonder, the coffee-table tome pays tribute to the growth and grandeur of the city.

It places a spotlight on some of its most famous architectural marvels, including a cloud-covered Dubai Frame and the Burj Khalifa. There are pictures of food, fancy cars and fashion boutiques, but also desertscapes and scenes from the past.

Take a look through the photo gallery above to see more of the best images from the book.

The book also features quotes from some of Dubai’s residents and most famous fans, including Tom Cruise, who was famously pictured hanging off the side of Burj Khalifa while filming Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol.

“Every time I’ve been, I’ve wanted to film here. It’s a beautiful city, a very cinematic city. The way it’s set up – it’s incredibly modern, an extraordinary accomplishment,” Cruise says.

Downtown Dubai. Photo: Bachir Moukarzel
Downtown Dubai. Photo: Bachir Moukarzel

The latest addition to Assouline’s Travel Series, Dubai Wonder was written by Myrna Ayad, an arts consultant, cultural strategist and editor who has called Dubai home for almost four decades. She has written a wide-ranging introduction that charts the history of the city, focusing in on its art scene and architecture.

But the most evocative part of the work is arguably to be found on its back cover, which features a quote from artist eL Seed. “Dubai is a bridge between people, an intersection of cultures, a vessel moving forward while carrying its traditions and past.”

Liverpool 4-1 Shrewsbury

Liverpool
Gordon (34'), Fabinho (44' pen, 90' 3), Firmino (78')

Shrewsbury
Udoh (27'minutes)

Man of the Match: Kaide Gordon (Liverpool)

Tamkeen's offering
  • Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
  • Option 2: 50% across three years
  • Option 3: 30% across five years 
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDate%20started%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202020%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Khaldoon%20Bushnaq%20and%20Tariq%20Seksek%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Global%20Market%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20HealthTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20100%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20to%20date%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2415%20million%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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

Some of Darwish's last words

"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.

How to help

Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200

The biog

Name: Abeer Al Shahi

Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan

Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.

Favourite activities: Bungee jumping

Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.

Updated: October 21, 2021, 11:08 AM