Five mosques in Saudi Arabia, including several that date back to the foundation of Islam, are to be renovated in a project to safeguard the kingdom's heritage.
Saudi engineers will pick through original features and seek to safeguard the cultural significance of each.
The move is part of the broader project by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Announced in 2018, work has been under way to restore 130 mosques across Saudi Arabia.
During its first phase, 30 were renovated at a cost of nearly 50 million riyals ($13.3m).
Phase two this year covers 30 more, including five of special significance in Makkah, Saudi Press Agency reported.
First to be renovated is Al Bay'ah Mosque that was built at the request of Caliph Abu Jaafar Al Mansur in 144 AH, which was 761AD in the Gregorian calendar.
It was constructed at the site where Prophet Mohammed met with his supporters and they took the pledge, which means bay’ah’ in Arabic.
Located below the Wadi Mina, the mosque’s unique architectural features were unearthed 16 years ago during the expansion project of the Jamrat Al Aqaba, the site where devil stoning ritual is performed during pilgrimage.
Occupying an estimated area of 457.5 square metres, the mosque can accommodate just 68 worshippers.
Renovations will also include Al Khidr Mosque, which is located about 66km from Makkah's Grand Mosque and dates back to more than 700 years. It accommodates about 355 worshippers.
It is said that the mosque was named because Al Khidr who was mentioned in the Quran as the man taught divine knowledge that Allah only grants to his righteous servants, was the first person to step foot in the site.
Surah Al Kahf in the Quran describes how Al Khidr was sought after by Prophet Moses who wanted to learn from him.
Other narratives say a man who lived in the area centuries ago and was carrying a similar name built the mosque and gave it his name.
Al Fath Mosque, which was built after the conquest (meaning Fath in Arabic) of Muslims in the Battle of the Trench (Al Ahzab), will be restored and expanded.
It was named after Prophet Mohammed prayed in that spot during the battle that took place in the fifth hijri year — 627 AD.
The area of the mosque, which was subject to neglect, will be increased from 455.7 square metres to 553.5 square metres to accommodate 333 worshippers.
The area of 300-year old Al Jubail mosque in the Saudi city of Taif will also be upsized to 310 square metres.
Two more mosques in Jeddah, including Abu Anaba Mosque in Harat Alsham, in historic Jeddah, will be restored.
Stories say the site was a "grape pergola” before a man named Othman Zaki Omar transformed it into a mosque nearly 900 years ago.
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Is it worth it? We put cheesecake frap to the test.
The verdict from the nutritionists is damning. But does a cheesecake frappuccino taste good enough to merit the indulgence?
My advice is to only go there if you have unusually sweet tooth. I like my puddings, but this was a bit much even for me. The first hit is a winner, but it's downhill, slowly, from there. Each sip is a little less satisfying than the last, and maybe it was just all that sugar, but it isn't long before the rush is replaced by a creeping remorse. And half of the thing is still left.
The caramel version is far superior to the blueberry, too. If someone put a full caramel cheesecake through a liquidiser and scooped out the contents, it would probably taste something like this. Blueberry, on the other hand, has more of an artificial taste. It's like someone has tried to invent this drink in a lab, and while early results were promising, they're still in the testing phase. It isn't terrible, but something isn't quite right either.
So if you want an experience, go for a small, and opt for the caramel. But if you want a cheesecake, it's probably more satisfying, and not quite as unhealthy, to just order the real thing.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
From Conquest to Deportation
Jeronim Perovic, Hurst
PRO BASH
Thursday’s fixtures
6pm: Hyderabad Nawabs v Pakhtoon Warriors
10pm: Lahore Sikandars v Pakhtoon Blasters
Teams
Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.
Squad rules
All teams consist of 15-player squads that include those contracted in the diamond (3), platinum (2) and gold (2) categories, plus eight free to sign team members.
Tournament rules
The matches are of 25 over-a-side with an 8-over power play in which only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams play in a single round robin league followed by the semi-finals and final. The league toppers will feature in the semi-final eliminator.
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
Company%20profile
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Tank warfare
Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks.
“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.
“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”
The biog
Name: Timothy Husband
Nationality: New Zealand
Education: Degree in zoology at The University of Sydney
Favourite book: Lemurs of Madagascar by Russell A Mittermeier
Favourite music: Billy Joel
Weekends and holidays: Talking about animals or visiting his farm in Australia
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
CREW
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