To celebrate World Hijab Day, we highlight some of the diverse, trailblazing women who are shattering stereotypes around their faith, while challenging societal norms about beauty and representation, and championing causes such as inclusivity, body positivity and sustainability.
Melanie Elturk
Her headscarves label, Haute Hijab, has become something of a household name in the modest fashion world, and Melanie Elturk is continuing in her mission to cater to hijab-wearing women.
Her wide range of hijabs are produced in Ajman and then shipped to the US, where Haute Hijab has its headquarters. The brand recently unveiled its Sport collection, with a powerful campaign title "Can't Ban Us", featuring Muslim athletes who have faced prejudice in their sporting fields due to their decision to cover their hair.
She is also prioritising sustainability – many designs from her main line are produced using deadstock fabrics. "When it comes to labour, wages, fair trade, sustainability, all those things are Islamic principles that we should all be adhering to," she tells The National.
Leah Vernon
Since penning her raw and candid memoir Unashamed: Musings of a Fat, Black Muslim in 2019, Leah Vernon has continued to champion body positivity and diversity on several fronts, recently starring in campaigns with brands such as Dove and Torrid.
In an interview with The National, Vernon admits that she isn't your "typical" modest fashion blogger: "I call them the 'perfect Instagram hijabi'. They always wear pastels or earth tones. They have the perfect husband and the perfect kids. They are the kind of folks who don't have many worries in life. They are usually white-passing and thin. It's sad how Muslim women have become monoliths. Muslims aren't 'one size fits all.'" By opening up about her personal life and challenges and sharing her musings on social media, Vernon is diversifying conversations and assumptions around Muslim women.
Abdiya Iman Meddings
In December 2020, Meddings launched the first Modest Fitness Week, recruiting female Muslim coaches, trainers and nutritionists from across the globe to host online classes and workshops over Zoom. The initiative is a "safe space" targeting modesty-conscious women who may not have access to women's-only gyms and can work out from the comfort of their home during the pandemic. On Friday, February 19, Meddings is launching a full-time virtual programme with five live sessions a week, along with a 30-day transformation challenge called Me2Her.
“This challenge has been inspired by my own journey in fitness and the feedback we got from Modest Fitness Week,” she explains. “So many women expressed that they really needed a full-time programme for accountability and motivation.”
Maghrib Shahid
Ever heard of a beauty pageant dedicated to Muslim women in the United States? Neither had we – until we came across Miss Muslimah USA, the brainchild of Maghrib Shahid, who is a Muslim fashion designer living in Ohio.
The latest edition of Miss Muslimah USA took place in September 2020: contestants walked down a red carpet robed in special occasion dresses, abayas and modest swimwear, and performed live talents or Quran recitations.
"I have a mission to empower and uplift Muslim women while promoting modesty and inner beauty," Shahid tells The National. "The Miss Muslimah USA pageant inspires women to raise their heads and push through, knowing that they have a platform to change misconceptions for a better future for our youth."
Franka Soeria
Soeria is a pioneer in the modest fashion industry. She's the co-founder of Marka Marie, an Asian modest fashion marketplace and creative agency, co-founder of the Council of Modest Fashion, and she's also one half of the founding team behind Modest Fashion Weeks – which have taken place in Dubai, London, Jakarta, Istanbul and most recently, Amsterdam. The last one highlighted sustainability as one of its central themes, and Soeria believes the future of the industry will look beyond buzzwords and aesthetics.
In an interview with The National, she said: "Fashion is very prestigious and luxurious, and now we have the attention on modest fashion – do we want to take it further into the glamorous, consumerism side? Or try to drive people to do something good? We don't want this to be viral and after that dead; we want it to be sustainable.
“Modest fashion is no longer all about the bling-bling and the glamour – that’s old. Do good, that’s the new trend.”
Mariah Idrissi
She became the world's first hijabi model when she was recruited for H&M's 2015 sustainable "Close the Loop" campaign, so it's only fitting that, a half-decade later, Mariah Idrissi has become a spokeswoman for sustainability in modest fashion, claiming that both ideologies are inextricably linked.
"As much as fashion is a very secular industry, my faith is what drives every decision I make," she tells The National. "I couldn't call myself a real Muslim if my day-to-day job, which I put so much time and energy into, didn't have anything deeper. With everything we do in life, there has to be purpose to it, otherwise there's no point." Idrissi, who was an aspiring screenwriter before breaking into modest modelling, spoke at Middle East Youth Expo 2020 in Abu Dhabi, and her Instagram stories promote discussions about mindfulness, faith and inclusive representation.
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Read more:
Why I vowed to not buy any new clothes for six months – and failed miserably
Modestwear at Melbourne Fashion Week: six brands you need to know
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Ruba Zai
With more than one million followers on Instagram, Afghan-Dutch fashion and beauty blogger Ruba Zai has enjoyed tremendous success as one of Instagram's pioneering hijabi influencers. "I love collaborating with different brands and I will definitely be doing projects to change the world for the hijabi woman," she told The National in 2017. "It's time to show the world what we got."
More than three years later, Zai is steadily fulfilling this aim. "Living my dream" says her Instagram bio, and from her 2017 Yves Saint Laurent Beauty campaign and whirlwind trip to Marrakesh with Dolce & Gabbana, to co-founding a plant-based skincare brand, NOE Skincare in 2020, she has become a poster child for ambition and success. Now a mother of two, Zai's social media is a concoction of fashion, beauty and lifestyle collaborations, inspirational outfit posts and candid family portraits.
Najma Suldan
While modest fashion bloggers are a dime a dozen, Najma Suldan, who goes by the moniker Stylish Bibliophile on Instagram, is on a mission to integrate a passion for fashion with a thirst for reading. Her social media posts are an eclectic mix of outfit photos featuring silk scarves, bucket hats and berets, comfy loungewear and experimental layering, interspersed with images of her current reads. Highlighting important books by diverse authors, Suldan also hosts a virtual book club called The Bibliophiles Club – her first pick for 2021 was best-selling Islamic spirituality book, Secrets of Divine Love: A Spiritual Journey into the Heart of Islam by A Helwa, and registration for her February book club opens on Monday, February 1.
Ikram Abdi Omar
With campaigns for brands such as Burberry and Diane von Furstenberg, and runway shows for numerous other luxury labels, under her belt, Stockholm-born Ikram Abdi Omar is one of the fashion world's most in-demand hijabi models. She starred in Nike's Victory Swim campaign in 2019, and is now represented by numerous international agencies. Despite Halima Aden's recent announcement that she would be "stepping down" from the mainstream industry, modest modelling continues to be a flourishing niche, and Omar is leading a pack of diverse, hijabi models.
Junaynah El Guthmy
Speaking of hijabi models, the UAE has quite a few of its own, and El Guthmy, whose creative-influencer status skyrocketed after her ambassadorship for Puma Middle East, which led to her directing a creative shoot for GQ Middle East, is a rising star in this realm. She features in campaigns for local labels such as The Giving Movement and One And Four Studio, and her bold yet graceful aesthetic is sure to catch the attention of the global fashion scene once travel and creative collaborations across borders can safely resume.
South and West: From a Notebook
Joan Didion
Fourth Estate
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 611bhp
Torque: 620Nm
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Price: upon application
On sale: now
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
If you go
The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road.
The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
RESULT
Al Hilal 4 Persepolis 0
Khribin (31', 54', 89'), Al Shahrani 40'
Red card: Otayf (Al Hilal, 49')
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
What are the main cyber security threats?
Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
Results
2pm: Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (Dirt) 1,200m, Winner: Mouheeb, Tom Marquand (jockey), Nicholas Bachalard (trainer)
2.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m, Winner: Honourable Justice, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
3pm: Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,200m, Winner: Dahawi, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
3.30pm: Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,200m, Winner: Dark Silver, Fernando Jara, Ahmad bin Harmash
4pm: Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Dark Of Night. Antonio Fresu, Al Muhairi.
4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Habah, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
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
Should late investors consider cryptocurrencies?
Wealth managers recommend late investors to have a balanced portfolio that typically includes traditional assets such as cash, government and corporate bonds, equities, commodities and commercial property.
They do not usually recommend investing in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies due to the risk and volatility associated with them.
“It has produced eye-watering returns for some, whereas others have lost substantially as this has all depended purely on timing and when the buy-in was. If someone still has about 20 to 25 years until retirement, there isn’t any need to take such risks,” Rupert Connor of Abacus Financial Consultant says.
He adds that if a person is interested in owning a business or growing a property portfolio to increase their retirement income, this can be encouraged provided they keep in mind the overall risk profile of these assets.
5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Ukraine 2 (Yaremchuk 06', Yarmolenko 27')
Portugal 1 (Ronaldo 72' pen)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
SOUTH%20KOREA%20SQUAD
%3Cp%3E%0D%3Cstrong%3EGoalkeepers%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKim%20Seung-gyu%2C%20Jo%20Hyeon-woo%2C%20Song%20Bum-keun%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDefenders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKim%20Young-gwon%2C%20Kim%20Min-jae%2C%20Jung%20Seung-hyun%2C%20Kim%20Ju-sung%2C%20Kim%20Ji-soo%2C%20Seol%20Young-woo%2C%20Kim%20Tae-hwan%2C%20Lee%20Ki-je%2C%20Kim%20Jin-su%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMidfielders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPark%20Yong-woo%2C%20Hwang%20In-beom%2C%20Hong%20Hyun-seok%2C%20Lee%20Soon-min%2C%20Lee%20Jae-sung%2C%20Lee%20Kang-in%2C%20Son%20Heung-min%20(captain)%2C%20Jeong%20Woo-yeong%2C%20Moon%20Seon-min%2C%20Park%20Jin-seob%2C%20Yang%20Hyun-jun%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStrikers%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHwang%20Hee-chan%2C%20Cho%20Gue-sung%2C%20Oh%20Hyeon-gyu%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Mobile phone packages comparison
The specs: 2018 Jaguar F-Type Convertible
Price, base / as tested: Dh283,080 / Dh318,465
Engine: 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 295hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm @ 1,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.2L / 100km
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
Company profile
Company name: Suraasa
Started: 2018
Founders: Rishabh Khanna, Ankit Khanna and Sahil Makker
Based: India, UAE and the UK
Industry: EdTech
Initial investment: More than $200,000 in seed funding
Florence and the Machine – High as Hope
Three stars
Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics
Racecard
5pm: Al Maha Stables – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m
6pm: Emirates Fillies Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m
6.30pm: Emirates Colts Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m
7pm: The President’s Cup – Group 1 (PA) Dh2,500,000 (T) 2,200m
7.30pm: The President’s Cup – Listed (TB) Dh380,000 (T) 1,400m
KYLIAN MBAPPE 2016/17 STATS
Ligue 1: Appearances - 29, Goals - 15, Assists - 8
UCL: Appearances - 9, Goals - 6
French Cup: Appearances - 3, Goals - 3
France U19: Appearances - 5, Goals - 5, Assists - 1
Ronaldo's record at Man Utd
Seasons 2003/04 - 2008/09
Appearances 230
Goals 115
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.
The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.
“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.
“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”
Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.
Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.
“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.
The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont
Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950
Engine 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm
Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
