Bahrain's first representative at the Miss Universe pageant says she was so excited to attend the global beauty contest that she hardly slept the night before her flight to Israel, the host country this year.
Manar Nadeem Deyani, 25, is one of 79 contestants who are taking part in the annual competition, where current Miss Universe Andrea Meza from Mexico will crown her successor at the gala finals in the resort city of Eilat on December 12.
Despite the threat of the Omicron coronavirus variant, which resulted in Israeli authorities shutting out the country from foreigners, the pageant has been allowed to go ahead, with Tourism Minister Yoel Razvozov saying last month it was the kind of event Israel "is very much in need of".
Deyani, a fashion student living in Dubai, was named on November 29 as her country's first Miss Universe participant. While beauty pageants have been held in Bahrain before, this will be the first time a contestant has represented the country at the competition, which is celebrating its 70th year this year.
Here, Deyani shares with The National her daily journey at Miss Universe 2021, which she called a "once-in-a-lifetime experience".
December 1: the training
"I’m on the last stretch of my preparations before I fly out from Dubai. It has been an intense week of training by Yugen Group, from improving my pasarela walk (a walking style used in pageants) to my outfits to perfecting my daily hair and makeup look.
"I am someone who’s very particular with how I present myself, so having to work with Maggie Semaan, an international celebrity hair artist, is actually a dream come true. I’ve been working with her since the day I was appointed as the first ever Miss Universe Bahrain and it’s been a pleasure working with Maggie in terms of planning my complete day-to-day looks from the moment I land in Israel to the time I depart – hopefully with a crown to match my gorgeous hair."
December 2: arriving in Tel Aviv
"I don’t know if it’s just me but I can’t wait to start my Miss Universe journey. I literally stayed up all night just thinking of how this once-in-a-lifetime experience will turn out. But of course, before anything else, I had to pack my bags and finish off some of my university work on the side.
"But today’s the day! I’m off to Israel to meet my Miss Universe sisters. I managed to catch some sleep on my four-hour journey but I’m just full of excitement.
"I almost lost my luggage when I landed in Tel Aviv but thankfully it has been found. I was met by the Miss Universe team just as soon as I exited the baggage claim. I went straight to the hotel, finished the registration and started my quarantine."
December 3 and 4: quarantine
"After landing, I spent the next 72 hours in quarantine. I used this time to further prepare myself both physically and mentally, doing quick workouts inside my room, virtual training with my team, improving my walk and practicing my Q&A. I also got the chance to catch up and call my family and work on some of my university assignments."
December 5: meeting other contestants
"I'm finally off quarantine period, yay! Just as soon as I left my hotel room, I met the sweetest Elle Smith, Miss USA. We had a quick chat and it was an amazing feeling meeting my Miss Universe sisters in person.
"Today we also leave from Jerusalem to Eilat. After a four-hour ride, I went straight for lunch with Miss USA, Miss Peru and Miss Russia. We also ended the night with an orientation where I got to meet most of my new sisters. It has been a very exciting day to say the least."
December 6: the rehearsals
"Woke up feeling great. I did my make up, my hair and headed down for breakfast. I wanted to join my sisters on the trips but since I only got out of quarantine a few days ago I have so many things to do.
"In the afternoon, it was all rehearsals. We can see how dedicated the Miss Universe team are – so all the girls are behaving well and trying our best to learn the choreographies. I remember my pasarela coach training me for my catwalk before and now it really does feel different doing the catwalk with my sisters here. It’s amazing and I've never felt more confident in [my] life. I can’t wait for the live shows."
December 7: my first trip around Eilat
"I woke up with excitement today, I’m finally going on my first trip with my Miss Universe sisters. I have been on fittings, interviews and shoots since I came to Eilat and finally it’s time for me to enjoy the trips.
"I headed down for breakfast with my sisters then straight to see a waterpark where we met the dolphins named Luna and Nikita. The place is amazing and I can see everything beneath because the water is crystal clear. Miss Universe India and I spotted a tree house and it brought back a lot of memories from when I was young.
"I had an amazing time, it was pure joy and laughter with Miss Universe USA, Miss Universe Nigeria and Miss Universe Mauritius. After the trip, we chilled in another hotel that gave me peaceful vibe. I wish I had brought my sketchpads with me, I feel like the place would have been perfect for me to find inspiration.
"Later, we had more rehearsals, then dinner and then I went back to my room. My day did not finish there. I had to do a Q&A training with my coaches for the personality interview the next day. I’m very lucky to have an amazing team making sure I’m ready."
December 8: the personality interview
"This is it! The day I’ve been waiting for the most – the personality Interview. If you know me personally, I talk a lot and I think talking has really been my strongest suit. I prayed and did my duaas – I’m nervous but I’m excited. I don’t know what’s gonna happen or what to expect but I’m ready to represent Bahrain and everyone that feels unrepresented.
"I walked into the room where the panelist were and started talking. I am the shortest candidate in Miss Universe history, the first Miss Universe Bahrain and the first one to represent Gulf countries, so I think it more as a responsibility. I talked about myself, my country and what my purpose is. And I did it, I nailed my personality interview!
"The rush I got from that moment was so much, I wanted more and it’s making me excited to perform at the preliminaries and the finals. I had lunch and headed back to my room to prepare for my next event.
"Our next stop is the workshop for Smile Train, a non-profit organisation and charity providing corrective surgery for children with cleft lips and palates. They provide free corrective cleft surgeries in 87 countries, training local doctors and providing hospital funding for the procedures. The workshop really did inspire me and I realised that this is my purpose – raising awareness about causes that will help the younger generation to have a better life. I can’t wait to bring Smile Train to Bahrain and give Bahraini kids with cleft palates the chance to smile.
"It was a long day but it was very worth it. I went back to my room and called it a day."
– This article was first published on December 8, 2021
Scroll through the gallery for pictures of Miss Universe 2021 contestants in Jerusalem's Old City:
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
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
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Dust storm
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Herc's Adventures
Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
Rating: 4/5
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
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- 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
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- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)
Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)
Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)
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Low turnout
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Mathieu Gallard, account manager with Ipsos, which conducted the most recent poll, said current forecasts suggested only two-thirds were "very likely" to vote in the first round, compared with a 78 per cent turnout in the 2017 presidential elections.
"It depends on how interesting the campaign is on their main concerns," he told The National. "Just now, it's hard to say who, between Macron and the candidates of the right, would be most affected by a low turnout."
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