Mohammed Assaf is a married man.
In news that will likely warm and break the hearts of his devoted fans in equal measure, the former Arab Idol winner has tied the knot in a secret wedding.
Assaf’s bride is reportedly fellow Palestinian Reem Ouda, 22.
The news was announced by Assaf’s friend, Palestinian singer Qasem Al Najjar, in a social media post today.
“Finally good news in 2020,” he said.
“Congratulations to my friend and brother Mohammed Assaf on his marriage. God bless you both and bring you together for goodness and happiness.”
Najjar also released a short video of the wedding party, in which Assaf, 30, and Ouda danced along with a small circle of attendees, one of whom was draped in the Palestinian flag.
While there is no clear information regarding the exact date and location of the wedding, multiple reports suggest it was an intimate affair held as recently as this month.
If that is the case, then it could have been held in Dubai, a city Assaf has called home for the past seven years and in which he has been residing throughout the pandemic.
This theory is also strengthened with the recent announcement that Assaf will perform a concert at Dubai Opera on Thursday, August 20.
Who is Reem Ouda?
She hails from Assaf's home city of Gaza and has previously lived in Saudi Arabia before migrating to Denmark.
According to a report by UAE newspaper Al Bayan, the couple first met about eight months ago. This timeline is conceivable as Assaf did conduct a tour of Denmark that took him through several cities in December 2019.
It is also reported that Ouda is not involved in the regional entertainment industry.
Why the secret?
This has always been the way Assaf has conducted his private life.
In a 2015 interview with The National, the then-eligible bachelor stated the qualities he was looking for in a future Mrs Assaf.
“I would prefer her not to be from the entertainment industry, I can honestly tell you that,” he said. “Not that there is anything wrong with people from there, but it’s just my preference. I want my home life to be totally separated from my career. I want to be relaxed and secure in my home.”
Don’t expect Assaf to be too forthcoming about his newfound family life, as he intends to keep it firmly behind the scenes.
"That's something I will have to enforce. Once I am, inshallah, married and have children, I don't want them to be in the media or anything like that," he told The National.
“My home is mine and it’s not for the fans or the media – there will definitely be boundaries. I want to live a normal life. I want to be like you, where I can go home and just relax after work with my loved ones. There is no way they will be paraded in front of the cameras.”
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
Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
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