It all begins with a question.
That's the premise behind Seen, the entertaining and informative show hosted by Ahmad Al Shugairi.
Named after the letter that begins "so’al", the Arabic word for question, the programme airs every night on MBC 1 at 6.10pm in Saudi Arabia (7.10pm UAE time) and marks the return of the popular Saudi personality after seven years away from the small screen.
Judging by the opening two episodes, Al Shugairi picks up where he left off. Seen is the natural successor to his previous Ramadan series Khawatir.
While that hit show, running for 11 seasons from 2005 to 2015, suggested ways in which Saudi Arabia could achieve its potential – from investment in science and technology, to harnessing the vitality of its youthful population – Seen explores the rapid strides the kingdom is making as part of its Vision 2030.
By tracking some of these changes in the series, Al Shugairi aims to inspire both a local and regional audience.
For fellow Saudis, Seen is an optimistic report card on their homeland's progress. But for the kingdom to truly reach its potential, Al Shugairi says citizens must play their part.
“The aim is to be in the top 10 in all the major fields,” he says in one of the monologues interspersing the show.
“But how do we that? It is a joint effort. We stand in the middle of what was achieved in the past and where we can go in the future. We all have to work together.”
As for the wider Arab world, Seen hopes to be revelatory for both tourists and investors.
The first episode, broadcast last Tuesday, served as a season preview with Al Shugairi visiting emerging tourist and government initiatives, including a safari park in the Arabian Desert, and solar power and wind farms.
Judging by the reaction on social media, where Seen trend in Saudi Arabia hours after the first episode, the show has hit upon the right mix of information and inspiration.
Here are three other reasons why Seen is worth watching.
1. It is informative and quirky
It takes considerable skill for a TV show to make "digital transformation" look and sound entertaining. Seen does it through dry and quirky humour, which courses through each half-hour episode.
When it comes to such hefty topics, the show breaks them down through real-life practical examples and hard data.
For example, Al Shugairi demonstrates how all government services, from simple utility transactions to renewing passports can now be done online.
The same goes for getting married.
In a winning segment, the show visits a marriage ceremony and observes how it no longer involves any paperwork.
Instead, the marriage contract is all drawn up on an iPad, the bride and groom seal the deal through fingerprint scans and a confirmation of their union is delivered through text message.
2. It is visually arresting
Seen employs many of the shooting techniques that made Khawatir groundbreaking.
With so much to get through in 30 minutes, not to mention the need to keep some of the dry subject matter appealing to a digitally native audience, Seen is visually frantic, with quick cuts, lavish pan shots and the occasional animation sequence.
When it came to on-screen talent and talkers, Seen has an aversion for long-winded discussions. Each monologue by Al Shugairi is crisp and casual, while interviews with officials are ruthlessly edited to maintain the pace.
3. It marks the return of a much-loved Saudi personality
Al Shugairi's decision to call time on Khawatir in 2017 shocked the regional television industry. Even during its eleventh season, the show was never in danger of running out of steam.
As he told The National in a rare interview in 2019, Al Shugairi wanted time away after more than a decade in the limelight.
With Seen, he has picked the ideal vehicle to get back on track. The show is as fitting to his laidback and dry charm as the casual suits and jeans worn in the studio and to the sites.
As for the material itself, Seen finds Al Shugairi marvelling at some of the developments he has longed for since Khawatir, with the audience marvelling right alongside their beloved host.
Then again, Al Shugairi says that's the essence of the show, and that asking the right questions is only the start. It is also about having determination to see your goals come true.
“Progress takes time,” he says in the second episode’s conclusion. “It has never been a straight path, and it takes time and patience.”
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: SimpliFi
Started: August 2021
Founder: Ali Sattar
Based: UAE
Industry: Finance, technology
Investors: 4DX, Rally Cap, Raed, Global Founders, Sukna and individuals
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
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
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
TOUCH RULES
Touch is derived from rugby league. Teams consist of up to 14 players with a maximum of six on the field at any time.
Teams can make as many substitutions as they want during the 40 minute matches.
Similar to rugby league, the attacking team has six attempts - or touches - before possession changes over.
A touch is any contact between the player with the ball and a defender, and must be with minimum force.
After a touch the player performs a “roll-ball” - similar to the play-the-ball in league - stepping over or rolling the ball between the feet.
At the roll-ball, the defenders have to retreat a minimum of five metres.
A touchdown is scored when an attacking player places the ball on or over the score-line.
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
The Saudi Cup race card
1 The Jockey Club Local Handicap (TB) 1,800m (Dirt) $500,000
2 The Riyadh Dirt Sprint (TB) 1,200m (D) $1.500,000
3 The 1351 Turf Sprint 1,351m (Turf) $1,000,000
4 The Saudi Derby (TB) 1600m (D) $800,000
5 The Neom Turf Cup (TB) 2,100m (T) $1,000,000
6 The Obaiya Arabian Classic (PB) 2,000m (D) $1,900,000
7 The Red Sea Turf Handicap (TB) 3,000m (T) $2,500,000
8 The Saudi Cup (TB) 1,800m (D) $20,000,000
