Lebanese director Nadine Labaki will appear at the two-day congress in Abu Dhabi this September. AFP
Lebanese director Nadine Labaki will appear at the two-day congress in Abu Dhabi this September. AFP
Lebanese director Nadine Labaki will appear at the two-day congress in Abu Dhabi this September. AFP
Lebanese director Nadine Labaki will appear at the two-day congress in Abu Dhabi this September. AFP

Nadine Labaki, Hend Sabry and Mo Amer to speak at Congress of Arabic & Creative Industries in Abu Dhabi


Saeed Saeed
  • English
  • Arabic

Palestinian-American actor and comedian Mo Amer and Lebanese filmmaker Nadine Labaki will participate in this year’s International Congress of Arabic & Creative Industries, taking place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on September 14 and 15.

They will be joined by Tunisian actress Hend Sabry, and a number of other content creators, technologists and policymakers to discuss future opportunities and challenges in telling stories from the Arab world. Entry is free upon registration.

Organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, the congress will look at how artificial intelligence is reshaping regional creative industries with sessions focusing on how it enhances storytelling and audience development, preserves heritage and sparks new forms of creative entrepreneurship.

Also part of the programme is a panel looking at how to maintain the appeal of Arabic language for future generations.

Following core strands focusing on industry capacity building and a showcase of youth creative projects, the event will also feature exhibition stands and representatives from companies including Google, Meta, Snap Inc and TikTok.

It will mark the return of the Innovation Awards – a competition encouraging students to pitch ideas to promote the Arabic language.

The event brings regional and global practitioners to the UAE for discussions. Photo: Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre
The event brings regional and global practitioners to the UAE for discussions. Photo: Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre

“This year’s Congress of Arabic & Creative Industries marks a bold new chapter in our mission to position Arabic creativity at the forefront of global cultural discourse,” Ali bin Tamim, chairman of Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, tells The National.

“By convening some of the most dynamic thinkers and creators from the region and beyond, we are not only redefining the narrative around Arabic culture, but also actively shaping the future of storytelling.”

Launched in 2022, the congress has steadily expanded from its focus on publishing to include the state of the creative industries. Last year’s event featured DCT Abu Dhabi chairman Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, who called for a renewed role for the creative sector in education.

“This is an investment of the mind when it comes to school curricula, when it comes to cultural programming in understanding what the Arab world has contributed,” he said. “It is not just about the present and past, but also the future.”

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, at the International Congress of Arabic Publishing & Creative Industries in 2024. Photo: Abu Dhabi Language Centre
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, at the International Congress of Arabic Publishing & Creative Industries in 2024. Photo: Abu Dhabi Language Centre

Al Mubarak highlighted the need for new Arabic cultural content to reach younger generations and stressed that the UAE’s growing creative economy, which at the time of the event employed more than 400,000 people and contributed four per cent to the GDP, is already a key driver of that shift.

Egyptian-American economist Mohamed El Erian, also present at last year’s event, praised the UAE’s investments in artificial intelligence as a tool for enhancing rather than replacing creativity. “AI is going to impact every single person,” he said. “But I see that AI will be less of a replacement and more of an enhancer.”

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

Cricket World Cup League Two

Oman, UAE, Namibia

Al Amerat, Muscat

 

Results

Oman beat UAE by five wickets

UAE beat Namibia by eight runs

 

Fixtures

Wednesday January 8 –Oman v Namibia

Thursday January 9 – Oman v UAE

Saturday January 11 – UAE v Namibia

Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia

THE%20HOLDOVERS
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4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
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6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

Jetour T1 specs

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THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS

Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.

Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.

Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHakbah%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENaif%20AbuSaida%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESaudi%20Arabia%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E22%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24200%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Epre-Series%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EGlobal%20Ventures%20and%20Aditum%20Investment%20Management%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

Bob Honey Who Just Do Stuff
By Sean Penn
Simon & Schuster

Guns N’ Roses’s last gig before Abu Dhabi was in Hong Kong on November 21. We were there – and here’s what they played, and in what order. You were warned.

  • It’s So Easy
  • Mr Brownstone
  • Chinese Democracy
  • Welcome to the Jungle
  • Double Talkin’ Jive
  • Better
  • Estranged
  • Live and Let Die (Wings cover)
  • Slither (Velvet Revolver cover)
  • Rocket Queen
  • You Could Be Mine
  • Shadow of Your Love
  • Attitude (Misfits cover)
  • Civil War
  • Coma
  • Love Theme from The Godfather (movie cover)
  • Sweet Child O’ Mine
  • Wichita Lineman (Jimmy Webb cover)
  • Wish You Were Here (instrumental Pink Floyd cover)
  • November Rain
  • Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden cover)
  • Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan cover)
  • Nightrain

Encore:

  • Patience
  • Don’t Cry
  • The Seeker (The Who cover)
  • Paradise City
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Jewel of the Expo 2020

252 projectors installed on Al Wasl dome

13.6km of steel used in the structure that makes it equal in length to 16 Burj Khalifas

550 tonnes of moulded steel were raised last year to cap the dome

724,000 cubic metres is the space it encloses

Stands taller than the leaning tower of Pisa

Steel trellis dome is one of the largest single structures on site

The size of 16 tennis courts and weighs as much as 500 elephants

Al Wasl means connection in Arabic

World’s largest 360-degree projection surface

Updated: July 21, 2025, 12:06 PM