The operational plan for this year's Hajj pilgrimage was released in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
The Saudi Minister of Media, Dr Majid Al Qasabi, and head of the General Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques, Sheikh Abdulrahman Al Sudais, announced the details.
Dr Al Qasabi said the kingdom and its leadership were honoured to serve the Two Holy Mosques and the pilgrims for Hajj and Umrah.
He said that under the leadership of Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom "has enabled all concerned sectors to facilitate service to pilgrims, and use all capabilities to help pilgrims complete their Hajj obligation and rituals with security, safety, ease and health".
Dr Al Qasabi said that because of the coronavirus pandemic, Hajj was restricted to 60,000 people, all of them from within Saudi Arabia.
He said the decision was made to preserve the health and safety of pilgrims, and ensure that the Hajj rituals are held in a safe and healthy environment with precautionary measures.
This is the second year Saudi Arabia is organising Hajj amid exceptional circumstances because of the pandemic and emergence of new coronavirus strains.
Ten thousand qualified men and women have been trained to serve pilgrims during the Hajj in accordance with precautionary and preventive protocols.
“Saudi women have a great role in serving the pilgrims,” Sheikh Al Sudais said.
“Saudi women have a great role in serving the pilgrims.”
Sheikh Al-Sudais
The latest artificial intelligence techniques are being used to provide bottles of Zamzam water through robots and high-tech vehicles this year, to ensure pilgrims have chilled and sterilised water.
More than 800 manual and electric vehicles will be provided at the Grand Mosque in Makkah for elderly people and those with special needs, who can order them by app.
They will also have access to small prayer rooms and special toilets.
More than 5,000 workers will disinfect the whole Grand Mosque, its courtyards and surrounds 10 times a day, using more than 60,000 litres of the most advanced sanitiser “to ensure that the environment of the Grand Mosque is free of any viruses".
Robots and technology will also be used in the disinfection, and there will be hand sanitiser at all entrances, corridors and squares.
Sheikh Al Sudais said last year’s Hajj was a great success, streamlined by the efforts of many state agencies to avoid any incidents or Covid-19 cases.
He said that this year, hospitality and generosity towards pilgrims would again play a major role.
Sheikh Al Sudais said the campaign, titled Serving the Pilgrim and the Visitor, "was a badge of pride for us".
The programme, in its ninth year, will continue as the government plans to provide pilgrims with free extras including umbrellas, sterilisers and more this year.
Sheikh Al Sudais said the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and other authorities will enable pilgrims to enter the Grand Mosque for the circumambulations of tawaf through several entrances.
He said Friday sermons in the Two Holy Mosques and the sermon on Arafat Day, will be translated into 10 languages for “nearly 100 million listeners".
The sermon on Arafat Day will be also broadcast in English and French by the two state-owned TV channels.
MEYDAN RESULTS
6.30pm Baniyas (PA) Group 2 Dh125,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner ES Ajeeb, Sam Hitchcock (jockey), Ibrahim Aseel (trainer).
7.05pm Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Galaxy Road, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
7.40pm Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Al Modayar, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.15pm Handicap (TB) Dh170,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner Gundogdu, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.50pm Rated Conditions (TB) Dh240,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner George Villiers, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
9.25pm Handicap (TB) Dh175,000 (D)1,200m
Winner Lady Parma, Connor Beasley, Satish Seemar
10pm Handicap (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Zaajer, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
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
What is safeguarding?
“Safeguarding, not just in sport, but in all walks of life, is making sure that policies are put in place that make sure your child is safe; when they attend a football club, a tennis club, that there are welfare officers at clubs who are qualified to a standard to make sure your child is safe in that environment,” Derek Bell explains.
Race card
1.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
2pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 84,000 (D) 1,400m
2.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,200m
3pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (D) 1.950m
3.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 76,000 (D) 1,800m
4pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,600m
4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 68,000 (D) 1,000m
Sukuk explained
Sukuk are Sharia-compliant financial certificates issued by governments, corporates and other entities. While as an asset class they resemble conventional bonds, there are some significant differences. As interest is prohibited under Sharia, sukuk must contain an underlying transaction, for example a leaseback agreement, and the income that is paid to investors is generated by the underlying asset. Investors must also be prepared to share in both the profits and losses of an enterprise. Nevertheless, sukuk are similar to conventional bonds in that they provide regular payments, and are considered less risky than equities. Most investors would not buy sukuk directly due to high minimum subscriptions, but invest via funds.
ZAYED SUSTAINABILITY PRIZE
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
