Eid concerts in Dubai and Abu Dhabi: from Wael Kfoury and Melhem Zein to Tamer Hosny

Wael Kfoury and Melhem Zein are teaming up for an Eid concert in Dubai.

The Lebanese crooners, known for hits Khedney Layk and Baddi Hibbek respectively, will perform at Le Meridien Dubai Hotel and Conference Centre on July 23. They will be joined by Syrian singer Mohamed Khairi.

Tickets start from Dh500 at dubai.platinumlist.net.

The announcement comes as the UAE concert scene ramps up in time for the Eid Al Adha holiday, which is most likely to begin on Tuesday, July 20.

Elsewhere in Dubai

In the run up to the break, Lebanon’s Ragheb Alama will perform two shows at Dubai Opera.

The Nasini El Donya singer will take to the stage of the Dubai Downtown venue on Thursday and Friday, July 15 and 16. Tickets for Alama’s performances start from Dh400, and are available at dubaiopera.com.

Only those fully vaccinated can attend the shows.

Abu Dhabi shows

The UAE capital will also play host to two star-studded concerts at the Etihad Arena on Thursday and Friday, July 22 and July 23.

Emirati musician Al Jassmi and Syrian singer Assala Nasri will perform on the first night, while Egyptian pop star Tamer Hosny and Lebanese entertainer Myriam Fares will be on stage the following night.

Organised by Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, the concerts are part of city-wide celebrations that include nightly fireworks at Yas Island, starting on the first day of Eid.

Both Abu Dhabi concerts will adhere to Covid-19 guidelines, with attendees over 16 years old required to show they've been fully vaccinated, as well as have a negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours.

Those aged between 12 and 16 are required to show a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours, and do not need to be vaccinated.

Children below 12 years are not permitted to attend.

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

Jawan

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Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)

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if you go

The flights

Emirates have direct flights from Dubai to Glasgow from Dh3,115. Alternatively, if you want to see a bit of Edinburgh first, then you can fly there direct with Etihad from Abu Dhabi.

The hotel

Located in the heart of Mackintosh's Glasgow, the Dakota Deluxe is perhaps the most refined hotel anywhere in the city. Doubles from Dh850

Events and tours

There are various Mackintosh specific events throughout 2018 – for more details and to see a map of his surviving designs see glasgowmackintosh.com

For walking tours focussing on the Glasgow Style, see the website of the Glasgow School of Art.

More information

For ideas on planning a trip to Scotland, visit www.visitscotland.com