Hajj will return to pre-pandemic numbers as Saudi Arabia has removed all Covid-19 restrictions, although pilgrims must be vaccinated. Photo: Saleh Al Shaibany
Hajj will return to pre-pandemic numbers as Saudi Arabia has removed all Covid-19 restrictions, although pilgrims must be vaccinated. Photo: Saleh Al Shaibany
Hajj will return to pre-pandemic numbers as Saudi Arabia has removed all Covid-19 restrictions, although pilgrims must be vaccinated. Photo: Saleh Al Shaibany
Hajj will return to pre-pandemic numbers as Saudi Arabia has removed all Covid-19 restrictions, although pilgrims must be vaccinated. Photo: Saleh Al Shaibany

Gulf

Hajj 2023: Saudi Arabia gears up for busy pilgrimage season

Permits to be issued from Friday

Mariam Nihal

April 30, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

Saudi authorities are gearing up for a busy Hajj season, which is set to start on June 25.

This year, authorities have stressed that pilgrims who wish to perform Hajj must be vaccinated against Covid-19.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said the vaccination deadline was 10 days before the Hajj season begins, and that pilgrims must have all three doses of a Covid-19 vaccine for them to obtain the Hajj permit.

Vaccinations against seasonal flu and meningococcal meningitis are also listed by the ministry. Other vaccines required for those coming from outside Saudi Arabia include yellow fever and polio.

Hajj permits will be issued from Friday.

  • Pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba in Makkah. AP
    Pilgrims circumambulate the Kaaba in Makkah. AP
  • Hajj pilgrims at the Grand Mosque. AP
    Hajj pilgrims at the Grand Mosque. AP
  • Muslims take part in Hajj rituals at the Kaaba in Makkah. AP
    Muslims take part in Hajj rituals at the Kaaba in Makkah. AP
  • Reporters fly over the Grand Mosque. AP
    Reporters fly over the Grand Mosque. AP
  • Hundreds of buses wait to carry pilgrims. AP
    Hundreds of buses wait to carry pilgrims. AP
  • A satellite image shows pilgrims circumambulating the Kaaba in the Grand Mosque. SPA
    A satellite image shows pilgrims circumambulating the Kaaba in the Grand Mosque. SPA
  • Pilgrims on the first day of Tashreeq throw the three Jamarat, beginning with Jamarat al-Soghra, then al-Wusta, and then Jamrat al-Aqaba. SPA
    Pilgrims on the first day of Tashreeq throw the three Jamarat, beginning with Jamarat al-Soghra, then al-Wusta, and then Jamrat al-Aqaba. SPA
  • Pilgrims on the first day of Tashreeq throw the three Jamarat, beginning with Jamarat al-Soghra, then al-Wusta, and then Jamrat al-Aqaba. SPA
    Pilgrims on the first day of Tashreeq throw the three Jamarat, beginning with Jamarat al-Soghra, then al-Wusta, and then Jamrat al-Aqaba. SPA
  • Pilgrims on the first day of Tashreeq throw the three Jamarat, beginning with Jamarat al-Soghra, then al-Wusta, and then Jamrat al-Aqaba. SPA
    Pilgrims on the first day of Tashreeq throw the three Jamarat, beginning with Jamarat al-Soghra, then al-Wusta, and then Jamrat al-Aqaba. SPA
  • Pilgrims on the first day of Tashreeq throw the three Jamarat, beginning with Jamarat al-Soghra, then al-Wusta, and then Jamrat al-Aqaba. SPA
    Pilgrims on the first day of Tashreeq throw the three Jamarat, beginning with Jamarat al-Soghra, then al-Wusta, and then Jamrat al-Aqaba. SPA
  • Pilgrims walk to cast stones at a pillar in the symbolic stoning of the devil in Mina, Saudi Arabia. AP Photo
    Pilgrims walk to cast stones at a pillar in the symbolic stoning of the devil in Mina, Saudi Arabia. AP Photo
  • Pilgrims walk before casting their stones. Reuters
    Pilgrims walk before casting their stones. Reuters
  • Pilgrims cast their stones. Reuters
    Pilgrims cast their stones. Reuters
  • Pilgrims cast their stones. Reuters
    Pilgrims cast their stones. Reuters
  • Pilgrims cast their stones. Reuters
    Pilgrims cast their stones. Reuters
  • Pilgrims walk to cast their stones. Reuters
    Pilgrims walk to cast their stones. Reuters
  • Hajj pilgrims collect pebbles for the stoning of the devil ritual in Muzdalifa, Saudi Arabia. EPA
    Hajj pilgrims collect pebbles for the stoning of the devil ritual in Muzdalifa, Saudi Arabia. EPA
  • Pilgrims collect pebbles. EPA
    Pilgrims collect pebbles. EPA
  • Pilgrims cast stones. AP
    Pilgrims cast stones. AP
  • Pilgrims cast stones. AP
    Pilgrims cast stones. AP
  • Pilgrims gather atop Mount Arafat during the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage. AFP
    Pilgrims gather atop Mount Arafat during the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage. AFP
  • Pilgrims pray as they gather at Mount Arafat. EPA
    Pilgrims pray as they gather at Mount Arafat. EPA
  • Saudi Arabia this year is allowing one million Muslims, including some 850,000 from abroad, to make the annual Hajj pilgrimage for the first time in two years. EPA
    Saudi Arabia this year is allowing one million Muslims, including some 850,000 from abroad, to make the annual Hajj pilgrimage for the first time in two years. EPA
  • A Saudi police helicopter patrols over Namira Mosque in Arafat. AP Photo
    A Saudi police helicopter patrols over Namira Mosque in Arafat. AP Photo
  • Pilgrims gather on the plain of Arafat. Reuters
    Pilgrims gather on the plain of Arafat. Reuters
  • Pilgrims arrive on the plains of Mount Arafat. EPA
    Pilgrims arrive on the plains of Mount Arafat. EPA
  • Pilgrims climb Gebel Rahmah (Mount of Mercy) where the Prophet Mohammed gave his last sermon, as people congregate on the plains of Arafat. EPA
    Pilgrims climb Gebel Rahmah (Mount of Mercy) where the Prophet Mohammed gave his last sermon, as people congregate on the plains of Arafat. EPA
  • Pilgrims gather atop Mount Arafat during the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage. AFP
    Pilgrims gather atop Mount Arafat during the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage. AFP
  • A Muslim woman prays atop Mount Arafat. AFP
    A Muslim woman prays atop Mount Arafat. AFP
  • Muslim pilgrims touch the pillar atop Mount Arafat. AFP
    Muslim pilgrims touch the pillar atop Mount Arafat. AFP
  • Pilgrims gather to pray atop Mount Arafat. AFP
    Pilgrims gather to pray atop Mount Arafat. AFP
  • Pilgrims walk towards the Namirah mosque near Mount Arafat. AFP
    Pilgrims walk towards the Namirah mosque near Mount Arafat. AFP
  • Muslim pilgrims pray on the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy. AP Photo
    Muslim pilgrims pray on the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy. AP Photo
  • Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount of Mercy. Reuters
    Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount of Mercy. Reuters
  • Pilgrims pray on the Mountain of Mercy. AP
    Pilgrims pray on the Mountain of Mercy. AP
  • Pilgrims gather on Mount of Mercy. Reuters
    Pilgrims gather on Mount of Mercy. Reuters
  • Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount of Mercy. Reuters
    Muslim pilgrims gather on Mount of Mercy. Reuters
  • Hajj pilgrims head to Mina for the day of Tarwiyah as temperatures hit 44ºC. SPA
    Hajj pilgrims head to Mina for the day of Tarwiyah as temperatures hit 44ºC. SPA
  • Pilgrims pray at the Kaaba in Makkah's Grand Mosque on the eve of the first day of Hajj. SPA
    Pilgrims pray at the Kaaba in Makkah's Grand Mosque on the eve of the first day of Hajj. SPA
  • Hajj pilgrims head to Mina for the day of Tarwiyah as temperatures hit 44ºC. SPA
    Hajj pilgrims head to Mina for the day of Tarwiyah as temperatures hit 44ºC. SPA

The ministry opened registration for Hajj 2023 in January for pilgrims living in the kingdom, with the price of packages beginning at 3,984 riyals ($1,062).

The final instalment, which needed to be paid last month, is 40 per cent of the total amount pilgrims must pay for their chosen package.

The ministry opened registrations for international pilgrims in February, to give those who had performed Hajj more than five years ago another chance to apply for a permit.

Priority has been given to those who have never performed Hajj before. People in this category can apply until June 25, through the Nusuk app and the official website.

This year, the Nusuk programme for Hajj pilgrims was expanded to include more countries around the world.

Nusuk is a unified government portal that helps pilgrims to apply and pay online for electronic visas, accommodation, transport and book flights.

This year, Hajj will return to pre-pandemic numbers as the country will remove all Covid-19 restrictions. In 2019, before the pandemic, about 2.6 million people performed Hajj.

SERIE A FIXTURES

Saturday

AC Milan v Sampdoria (2.30pm kick-off UAE)

Atalanta v Udinese (5pm)

Benevento v Parma (5pm)

Cagliari v Hellas Verona (5pm)

Genoa v Fiorentina (5pm)

Lazio v Spezia (5pm)

Napoli v Crotone (5pm)

Sassuolo v Roma (5pm)

Torino v Juventus (8pm)

Bologna v Inter Milan (10.45pm)

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

The Old Slave and the Mastiff

Patrick Chamoiseau

Translated from the French and Creole by Linda Coverdale

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
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015

- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France

Ticket prices

General admission Dh295 (under-three free)

Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free

Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets

ABU%20DHABI%20CARD
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The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000

Engine 3.6L V6

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm

Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km

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Company%C2%A0profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHayvn%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EChristopher%20Flinos%2C%20Ahmed%20Ismail%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efinancial%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eundisclosed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESize%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2044%20employees%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eseries%20B%20in%20the%20second%20half%20of%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHilbert%20Capital%2C%20Red%20Acre%20Ventures%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs

Engine 60kwh FWD

Battery Rimac 120kwh Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) chemistry

Power 204hp Torque 360Nm

Price, base / as tested Dh174,500 

While you're here
US%20federal%20gun%20reform%20since%20Sandy%20Hook
%3Cp%3E-%20April%2017%2C%202013%3A%20A%20bipartisan-drafted%20bill%20to%20expand%20background%20checks%20and%20ban%20assault%20weapons%20fails%20in%20the%20Senate.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20July%202015%3A%20Bill%20to%20require%20background%20checks%20for%20all%20gun%20sales%20is%20introduced%20in%20House%20of%20Representatives.%20It%20is%20not%20brought%20to%20a%20vote.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20June%2012%2C%202016%3A%20Orlando%20shooting.%20Barack%20Obama%20calls%20on%20Congress%20to%20renew%20law%20prohibiting%20sale%20of%20assault-style%20weapons%20and%20high-capacity%20magazines.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20October%201%2C%202017%3A%20Las%20Vegas%20shooting.%20US%20lawmakers%20call%20for%20banning%20bump-fire%20stocks%2C%20and%20some%20renew%20call%20for%20assault%20weapons%20ban.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20February%2014%2C%202018%3A%20Seventeen%20pupils%20are%20killed%20and%2017%20are%20wounded%20during%20a%20mass%20shooting%20in%20Parkland%2C%20Florida.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20December%2018%2C%202018%3A%20Donald%20Trump%20announces%20a%20ban%20on%20bump-fire%20stocks.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20August%202019%3A%20US%20House%20passes%20law%20expanding%20background%20checks.%20It%20is%20not%20brought%20to%20a%20vote%20in%20the%20Senate.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20April%2011%2C%202022%3A%20Joe%20Biden%20announces%20measures%20to%20crack%20down%20on%20hard-to-trace%20'ghost%20guns'.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20May%2024%2C%202022%3A%20Nineteen%20children%20and%20two%20teachers%20are%20killed%20at%20an%20elementary%20school%20in%20Uvalde%2C%20Texas.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20June%2025%2C%202022%3A%20Joe%20Biden%20signs%20into%20law%20the%20first%20federal%20gun-control%20bill%20in%20decades.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Global institutions: BlackRock and KKR

US-based BlackRock is the world's largest asset manager, with $5.98 trillion of assets under management as of the end of last year. The New York firm run by Larry Fink provides investment management services to institutional clients and retail investors including governments, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, banks and charitable foundations around the world, through a variety of investment vehicles.

KKR & Co, or Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, is a global private equity and investment firm with around $195 billion of assets as of the end of last year. The New York-based firm, founded by Henry Kravis and George Roberts, invests in multiple alternative asset classes through direct or fund-to-fund investments with a particular focus on infrastructure, technology, healthcare, real estate and energy.

 

LA LIGA FIXTURES

Friday Athletic Bilbao v Celta Vigo (Kick-off midnight UAE)

Saturday Levante v Getafe (5pm), Sevilla v Real Madrid (7.15pm), Atletico Madrid v Real Valladolid (9.30pm), Cadiz v Barcelona (midnight)

Sunday Granada v Huesca (5pm), Osasuna v Real Betis (7.15pm), Villarreal v Elche (9.30pm), Alaves v Real Sociedad (midnight)

Monday Eibar v Valencia (midnight)

While you're here
SPEC%20SHEET
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Wicked: For Good

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater

Rating: 4/5

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Updated: May 05, 2023, 7:20 AM
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