The UAE concert season is back in full swing for Eid Al Adha.
Five concerts, featuring some of the region’s biggest stars, will take place in Abu Dhabi and Dubai over the week of the holiday, which runs from Monday to Thursday, July 19 to July 22.
On offer is a range of eclectic sounds reflecting the diversity of the UAE, including Khaleeji pop, Lebanese folk, Egyptian electronic music genre mahraganat and Bollywood hits.
The holiday will also welcome the first musical performances to be held in Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena on Yas Island.
All UAE concerts will follow Covid-19 guidelines and concertgoers are encouraged to check on the health and safety procedures at individual venues.
Here are five shows to check out:
1. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan: Wednesday, July 21 and Friday July 23, Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai
The Pakistani singer, a regular performer in the UAE, returns to the Coca-Cola Arena with two distinct shows.
The first concert, called Just Qawali, focuses on the devotional genre made famous by Khan and his late uncle, the Grammy-nominated Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
The second performance, titled Just Bollywood, feature Khan's extensive repertoire of film songs, starting from 2003.
"Dubai is my second home and each time I perform here is like performing at home,” he said. “My last commercial concert in December 2019 was in Dubai, where I enjoyed performing at the Coca-Cola Arena and I'm equally excited to return to the same venue."
Doors open at 8pm and tickets cost from Dh400; coca-cola-arena.com
2. Hussain Al Jassmi and Assala Nasri: Thursday, July 22, Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
Live performances will return to Abu Dhabi this Eid Al Adha with the first of two concerts at Yas Island's Etihad Arena.
Kicking off the proceedings is the double bill of Emirati singer Hussain Al Jassmi and Syrian singer Assala Nasri.
Both will dip into their dynamic careers to perform hits spanning more than two decades.
As one of the premiere purveyors of Khaleeji pop, Jassmi is expected to perform crowd favourites including Bahebek Wahashteni and Ahebbak.
Known for her evocative balladry, Nasri fans can look forward to the emotive tracks Shamekh and Bent Akaber.
Doors open at 4.30pm, concert begins at 6.30pm. Tickets from Dh195, are being sold in pairs and for groups of three and four guests at etihadarena.ae.
3. Cairokee and Hassan Shakosh: Thursday, July 22, Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai
Cairokee has been described as Egypt's Coldplay, but the group have a harder sound.
Founded in 2003, the band rose to regional and international prominence courtesy of the 2011 Egyptian revolution with protest anthem Ya El Midan.
Since then the group have gone on to release a string of albums, including the latest, Abna'a Albuta So'da (The Ugly Ducklings).
Joining the group will be Hassan Shakosh, the Egyptian singer and actor known for his energetic take of the Arabic electro genre mahraganat.
His 2020 single Bent El Geran was the most-streamed song in the Mena region on streaming platform Anghami that year.
Doors open at 9pm and tickets cost from Dh149; coca-cola-arena.com
4. Tamer Hosny and Myriam Fares: Friday, July 23, Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi
The second Etihad Arena Eid concert will feature Egyptian pop star Tamer Hosny making his way to the capital on the back of the regional box office success of the film Mesh Ana.
Hosny has plenty of fresh material to play, with the release of a number of new singles in the past few months, including Bahebak and Mabatalnash Ehsas from the coming album Khaleek Folazy.
Lebanese pop star and dancer Myriam Fares also found screen success with her documentary, Myriam Fares: The Journey, premiering on Netflix in June.
As much as that was an intimate look into her family life, Fares is also her natural self on stage as a vibrant performer and singer of hits Ghmorni and Nifsi Aoulhalak.
Doors open at 4.30pm, concert starts at 6.30pm. Tickets for both concerts will be sold in pairs and for groups of three and four guests, starting at Dh195. These are available from etihadarena.ae
5. Wael Kfoury and Melhem Zein: Friday, July 23, Le Meridien Dubai Hotel
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 separate sets of trademark lovelorn ballads. They will be joined by Syrian singer Mohamed Khairi.
While Zein has built a strong career in the studio and on the road, Kfoury is the star occasion here. He comes to Dubai after a sold out concert in Riyadh earlier this month.
Doors open at 8.30pm and tickets start at Dh500 from dubai.platinumlist.net
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
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
Key recommendations
- Fewer criminals put behind bars and more to serve sentences in the community, with short sentences scrapped and many inmates released earlier.
- Greater use of curfews and exclusion zones to deliver tougher supervision than ever on criminals.
- Explore wider powers for judges to punish offenders by blocking them from attending football matches, banning them from driving or travelling abroad through an expansion of ‘ancillary orders’.
- More Intensive Supervision Courts to tackle the root causes of crime such as alcohol and drug abuse – forcing repeat offenders to take part in tough treatment programmes or face prison.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 178hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 280Nm at 1,350-4,200rpm
Transmission: seven-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: from Dh209,000
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Byblos iftar in numbers
29 or 30 days – the number of iftar services held during the holy month
50 staff members required to prepare an iftar
200 to 350 the number of people served iftar nightly
160 litres of the traditional Ramadan drink, jalab, is served in total
500 litres of soup is served during the holy month
200 kilograms of meat is used for various dishes
350 kilograms of onion is used in dishes
5 minutes – the average time that staff have to eat
