The view of Makkah recorded by Saudi astronaut Rayyanah Barnawi from space. Photo: Rayyanah Barnawi / Twitter
The view of Makkah recorded by Saudi astronaut Rayyanah Barnawi from space. Photo: Rayyanah Barnawi / Twitter
The view of Makkah recorded by Saudi astronaut Rayyanah Barnawi from space. Photo: Rayyanah Barnawi / Twitter
The view of Makkah recorded by Saudi astronaut Rayyanah Barnawi from space. Photo: Rayyanah Barnawi / Twitter

Gulf

Saudi Arabia

'The kingdom is shining': Saudi astronaut Rayyanah Barnawi captures Makkah from space

Research scientist is set to return to Earth on Tuesday

The National

May 27, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

Saudi astronaut Rayyanah Barnawi has shared footage of Makkah shining bright from space.

Ms Barnawi, the first Arab woman to go on a space mission and the kingdom's first woman in space, is heard marvelling at her homeland during the recording captured from the International Space Station.

The research scientist, 33, arrived on the International Space Station, along with fellow Saudi astronaut Ali Al Qarni, on May 22 for an eight-day stay. They are set to return to Earth on May 30.

“The whole kingdom is shining. Here you can see Makkah,” she said in the video posted on her Twitter account, which has more than 77,000 followers.

“This is the Holy Mosque. Look how bright Makkah is. “Praise to be Allah.”

Earlier this week, the history-making space explorer posted an image of herself wearing her grandmother's earrings on-board the orbiting laboratory.

Both astronauts have started working on the 14 experiments assigned to them by Saudi researchers.

Millions of Muslims are set to travel to Makkah, viewed as Saudi Arabia's holiest city, for Hajj next month.

This year's pilgrimage is expected to return to pre-coronavirus visitor numbers as Saudi Arabia removes all pandemic restrictions.

In 2019, before the onset of Covid-19, about 2.6 million people performed Hajj.

Hajj, the Arabic word for pilgrimage, is one of the five pillars of Islam and a once-in-a-lifetime obligation for every Muslim, if they are able.

Millions of faithful make the pilgrimage to holiest sites of Islam in the cities of Makkah and Madinah, beginning on the eighth day of Dhu Al Hijja, the last month of the Islamic calendar.

Saudi astronauts in space – in pictures

  • Saudi astronaut Rayyanah Barnawi floating inside the International Space Station after she and her colleague Ali Al Qarni's arrived on May 22. All photos: SpaceX
    Saudi astronaut Rayyanah Barnawi floating inside the International Space Station after she and her colleague Ali Al Qarni's arrived on May 22. All photos: SpaceX
  • UAE's Sultan Al Neyadi offers dates and water to the two Saudi astronauts after their arrival
    UAE's Sultan Al Neyadi offers dates and water to the two Saudi astronauts after their arrival
  • The Dragon capsule carrying the two Saudi astronauts approaches the ISS
    The Dragon capsule carrying the two Saudi astronauts approaches the ISS
  • The Dragon capsule docks at the ISS
    The Dragon capsule docks at the ISS
  • All 11 astronauts aboard the space station attend a welcoming ceremony for the Ax-2 crew members
    All 11 astronauts aboard the space station attend a welcoming ceremony for the Ax-2 crew members
  • Saudi astronaut Mr Al Qarni floating upside down inside the ISS
    Saudi astronaut Mr Al Qarni floating upside down inside the ISS
  • Mr Al Neyadi offers water and dates to the two Saudi astronauts after their arrival
    Mr Al Neyadi offers water and dates to the two Saudi astronauts after their arrival
  • Ms Barnawi, centre, becomes emotional after delivering her speech at the welcoming ceremony
    Ms Barnawi, centre, becomes emotional after delivering her speech at the welcoming ceremony
  • Mr Al Neyadi, centre, prepares to welcome the two Saudi astronauts aboard the ISS
    Mr Al Neyadi, centre, prepares to welcome the two Saudi astronauts aboard the ISS
  • Ms Barnawi and Mr Al Qarni will stay on the ISS for an eight-day trip
    Ms Barnawi and Mr Al Qarni will stay on the ISS for an eight-day trip
While you're here
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Tips for taking the metro

- set out well ahead of time

- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines

- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on

- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers

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Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry 

Rating: 2/5

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How to turn your property into a holiday home
  1. Ensure decoration and styling – and portal photography – quality is high to achieve maximum rates.
  2. Research equivalent Airbnb homes in your location to ensure competitiveness.
  3. Post on all relevant platforms to reach the widest audience; whether you let personally or via an agency know your potential guest profile – aiming for the wrong demographic may leave your property empty.
  4. Factor in costs when working out if holiday letting is beneficial. The annual DCTM fee runs from Dh370 for a one-bedroom flat to Dh1,200. Tourism tax is Dh10-15 per bedroom, per night.
  5. Check your management company has a physical office, a valid DTCM licence and is licencing your property and paying tourism taxes. For transparency, regularly view your booking calendar.
While you're here
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

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Updated: May 28, 2023, 6:28 AM
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