It’s the 12th year of the Quoz Arts Fest, an event that brings art, music and food lovers from all corners of the UAE to Alserkal Avenue in the Quoz Creative Zone.
Running on January 25 and 26, the festival will include public art installations, live performances – including poetry, workshops and panel discussions, pop-ups, a dedicated children’s programme and more.
And with so much to look forward to, here are The National’s picks for experiences not to miss out on this year.
Live performances
Syrian-American poet and rapper Omar Offendum will take the stage, along with music collaborators oud virtuoso Ronnie Malley and acclaimed DJ Thanks Joey, to create a unique, genre-bending musical experience for audiences.
This includes Offendum’s blend of hip-hop and Arabic poetry through sounds and influences of hakawati storytelling techniques from Damascus with urban music culture from New York City. Offendum will be taking the main stage (named The Stage) on January 25 at 8pm.
Also part of the line-up is Tunisian-American singer and songwriter Emel Mathlouthi, whose viral protest song, Kelmti Horra (My Word is Free) went viral during the 2011 Tunisian revolution. Her sound is marked by a unique blend of musical styles, including tapping into her Arabic roots along with a range of Western influences, such as electronica and classical music.
Mathlouthi will also perform songs from her latest album, MRA, on the main stage on January 26 at 8.30pm. The album was released last year and explores facets of the fight for freedom through a feminist lens.
Tunisian alternative music duo Yuma, made up of Sabrine Jenhani and Ramy Zoghlemi, will be making their regional debut at the festival.
Known for their distinctive acoustic sound blending Tunisian music with folk-inspired melodies and modern indie sounds, their singles Smek and Nghir Alik have gained worldwide attention. Yuma will be performing on The Stage on January 25 at 7.30pm.
There will also be Quoz Encore throughout the weekend, where a collection of emerging musical artists from the UAE will be performing on Stage 2.0, including Emirati band Metarust, Moroccan-French singer-songwriter Younes Elamine, solo artist Souldier and more.
Public art
Eness is a multi-award winning multidisciplinary art and technology studio that creates interactive work through temporary and permanent public art.
Forest Dancer and the Path to Pure Creation is their immersive art installation at the Concrete space in the central yard of Alserkal Avenue. The installation is expected to be an immersive work exploring the intersection between the virtual and the physical, expressing the freedom and joy experienced through creativity.
Dubai artist and filmmaker Abdulla Alneyadi’s installation in the Yard, titled Bright Memories, is a reflection of his fond memories of the UAE. Alneyadi focuses on the idea of water dispensers, which were often placed around his neighbourhood as acts of charity. His installation invites the public to interact with works, highlighting the public service, providing free water to all who pass by.
Emirati visual artist Asma Belhamar’s delicate but monumental installation, Thresholds of Perception, explores the concept of the balcony as a liminal space between private and public realms. The works, which are reconstructed to human scale, are made of aluminum blend into their environment. Not only do they challenge perceptions of space, but also evoke nostalgia and blur the lines between modern urban spaces and traditional design elements and motifs from the region.
Gallery exhibitions
Ongoing and new exhibitions featuring local, regional and international works of art will be on show throughout the weekend.
Lawrie Shabibi will be presenting a solo exhibition by Iranian-British artist Farhad Ahrarnia. Titled No Scheherazade, the exhibition shows his craft-making techniques, while citing regional and contemporary historical references inspired by the framing and plot devices of Scheherazade, the narrator of One Thousand and One Nights.
The Third Line presents a group show Neither Here, Nor Elsewhere, which features a range of work by artists from across Africa and Asia in various disciplines, exploring modes of control spanning social norms, gender and moral codes. Artists include Palestinian Faissal El-Malak, Iraqi-American-Swedish Hayv Kahraman, Iranian multi-disciplinary artist Mahsa Merci, Lebanese Omar Mismar and American-Qatari Sophia Al-Maria.
Gulf Photo Plus will present the work of Behzad K Noori, who explores his grandfather Gholamreza Amirbeigi’s legacy in photographs taken between 1956–1968, which capture Tehran’s working-class lives during extreme urban expansion. The exhibition combines Iran’s past, collective memories and personal archives and stories.
Green Art Gallery is showing the sculptures of Lebanese artist Chaouki Choukini, who blends organic and mechanical forms, as well as abstract and figurative elements to create a vibrant and timeless visual language.
Culinary delights
What The Food will offer more than 50 food concepts, presented through food trucks, restaurants and pop-up stands.
These will include Kokoro, a Korean-Japanese restaurant and handroll bar; SYOTG, Dubai’s answer to Oklahoma smash burgers and Wagyu philly cheesesteak; Men Bayti La Baytak, a food concept that specialises in handcrafted makdous; Mattar Farm, which will been serving smoked meats in BBQ and so-called third culture barbecue; and Kooya, the Filipino eatery, which blends traditional flavours with a modern twist.
For those with a sweettooth, Oma, a home-grown bakery from Dubai, will be serving their unique take on classic cookies and cakes. Ganache Chocolatier, located in Warehouse 82, will have a wide range of luxury chocolates, while Pekoe Tea and Bread Bar will also have a selection of their modern Japanese pastries.
Quoz Arts Fest 2025 will be running on January 25 and 26 at Alserkal Avenue in Quoz Creative Zone
The bio
Favourite book: Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer
Favourite quote: “The world makes way for the man who knows where he is going.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist
Favourite Authors: Arab poet Abu At-Tayyib Al-Mutanabbi
Favourite Emirati food: Luqaimat, a deep-fried dough soaked in date syrup
Hobbies: Reading and drawing
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Stage 3 results
1 Adam Yates (GBR) Mitchelton-Scott 4:42:33
2 Tadej Pocagar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates 0:01:03
3 Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ) Astana 0:01:30
4 David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ
5 Rafal Majka (POL) Bora-Hansgrohe
6 Diego Ulissi (ITA) UAE Team Emirates 0:01:56
General Classification after Stage 3:
1 Adam Yates (GBR) Mitchelton-Scott 12:30:02
2 Tadej Pocagar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates 0:01:07
3 Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ) Astana 0:01:35
4 David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ 0:01:40
5 Rafal Majka (POL) Bora-Hansgrohe
6 Wilco Kelderman (NED) Team Sunweb) 0:02:06
T20 World Cup Qualifier
October 18 – November 2
Opening fixtures
Friday, October 18
ICC Academy: 10am, Scotland v Singapore, 2.10pm, Netherlands v Kenya
Zayed Cricket Stadium: 2.10pm, Hong Kong v Ireland, 7.30pm, Oman v UAE
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Rameez Shahzad, Darius D’Silva, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zawar Farid, Ghulam Shabber, Junaid Siddique, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Waheed Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Zahoor Khan
Players out: Mohammed Naveed, Shaiman Anwar, Qadeer Ahmed
Players in: Junaid Siddique, Darius D’Silva, Waheed Ahmed
If you go
The flights
There are direct flights from Dubai to Sofia with FlyDubai (www.flydubai.com) and Wizz Air (www.wizzair.com), from Dh1,164 and Dh822 return including taxes, respectively.
The trip
Plovdiv is 150km from Sofia, with an hourly bus service taking around 2 hours and costing $16 (Dh58). The Rhodopes can be reached from Sofia in between 2-4hours.
The trip was organised by Bulguides (www.bulguides.com), which organises guided trips throughout Bulgaria. Guiding, accommodation, food and transfers from Plovdiv to the mountains and back costs around 170 USD for a four-day, three-night trip.
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
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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
Essentials
The flights
Whether you trek after mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda or the Congo, the most convenient international airport is in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. There are direct flights from Dubai a couple of days a week with RwandAir. Otherwise, an indirect route is available via Nairobi with Kenya Airways. Flydubai flies to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, via Entebbe in Uganda. Expect to pay from US$350 (Dh1,286) return, including taxes.
The tours
Superb ape-watching tours that take in all three gorilla countries mentioned above are run by Natural World Safaris. In September, the company will be operating a unique Ugandan ape safari guided by well-known primatologist Ben Garrod.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, local operator Kivu Travel can organise pretty much any kind of safari throughout the Virunga National Park and elsewhere in eastern Congo.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Points Classification after Stage 1
1. Geraint Thomas (Britain / Team Sky) 20
2. Stefan Kueng (Switzerland / BMC Racing) 17
3. Vasil Kiryienka (Belarus / Team Sky) 15
4. Tony Martin (Germany / Katusha) 13
5. Matteo Trentin (Italy / Quick-Step) 11
6. Chris Froome (Britain / Team Sky) 10
7. Jos van Emden (Netherlands / LottoNL) 9
8. Michal Kwiatkowski (Poland / Team Sky) 8
9. Marcel Kittel (Germany / Quick-Step) 7
10. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Norway / Dimension Data) 6
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Sonchiriya
Director: Abhishek Chaubey
Producer: RSVP Movies, Azure Entertainment
Cast: Sushant Singh Rajput, Manoj Bajpayee, Ashutosh Rana, Bhumi Pednekar, Ranvir Shorey
Rating: 3/5
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Essentials
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Windhoek, with a combination of Emirates and Air Namibia, cost from US$790 (Dh2,902) via Johannesburg.
The trip
A 10-day self-drive in Namibia staying at a combination of the safari camps mentioned – Okonjima AfriCat, Little Kulala, Desert Rhino/Damaraland, Ongava – costs from $7,000 (Dh25,711) per person, including car hire (Toyota 4x4 or similar), but excluding international flights, with The Luxury Safari Company.
When to go
The cooler winter months, from June to September, are best, especially for game viewing.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
By Dave Lory with Jim Irvin