• Dress, Dh449, and abaya, Dh599, both by Leem
    Dress, Dh449, and abaya, Dh599, both by Leem
  • Floral midi dress, Dh2,400, Niili
    Floral midi dress, Dh2,400, Niili
  • Kaftan, Dh2,203, Kaleidoscope by Mimi
    Kaftan, Dh2,203, Kaleidoscope by Mimi
  • Dress, Dh2,500, Twisted Roots at Ounass
    Dress, Dh2,500, Twisted Roots at Ounass
  • Rita maxi dress, Dh1,800, Zalxndra
    Rita maxi dress, Dh1,800, Zalxndra
  • Hooded dress, Dh159, Stradivarius
    Hooded dress, Dh159, Stradivarius
  • Zareena maxi dress, Dh1,800, Zalxndra
    Zareena maxi dress, Dh1,800, Zalxndra
  • Puff-sleeved kaftan, Dh269, H&M
    Puff-sleeved kaftan, Dh269, H&M
  • Kaftan, Dh2,200, Kaleidoscope by Mimi
    Kaftan, Dh2,200, Kaleidoscope by Mimi
  • Metallic plisse top, Dh3,000, Semsem at Farfetch
    Metallic plisse top, Dh3,000, Semsem at Farfetch
  • Cardigan, Dh175, trousers, Dh125, top, Dh175, and espadrilles, Dh110, all Marks & Spencer
    Cardigan, Dh175, trousers, Dh125, top, Dh175, and espadrilles, Dh110, all Marks & Spencer
  • Shacket, Dh295, and joggers, Dh120, Asos
    Shacket, Dh295, and joggers, Dh120, Asos
  • Printed dress, Dh199, Stradivarius
    Printed dress, Dh199, Stradivarius
  • Headscarf, Dh550, abaya, Dh5,920 and trousers, Dh2,690, all Kristina Fidelskaya
    Headscarf, Dh550, abaya, Dh5,920 and trousers, Dh2,690, all Kristina Fidelskaya
  • Tie-dyed maxi dress, Dh3,590, Sandra Mansour at Farfetch
    Tie-dyed maxi dress, Dh3,590, Sandra Mansour at Farfetch
  • Silk gown, Dh5,986, Rasario at Net-a-Porter
    Silk gown, Dh5,986, Rasario at Net-a-Porter
  • Fringed kaftan, Dh3,901,Taller Marmo at Net-a-Porter
    Fringed kaftan, Dh3,901,Taller Marmo at Net-a-Porter
  • Jumpsuit, Dh1,800, Poca & Poca at Ounass
    Jumpsuit, Dh1,800, Poca & Poca at Ounass
  • Mixed print maxi dress, Dh191, Asos
    Mixed print maxi dress, Dh191, Asos
  • Dress, Dh1,744, Noon by Noor
    Dress, Dh1,744, Noon by Noor
  • Swimsuit, Dh1,674, and palazzo pants, Dh1,659, both Bougessa
    Swimsuit, Dh1,674, and palazzo pants, Dh1,659, both Bougessa
  • Dashiki, Dh1,946, Kaleidoscope by Mimi
    Dashiki, Dh1,946, Kaleidoscope by Mimi
  • Pleated kaftan, Dh2,590, Bambah at Farfetch
    Pleated kaftan, Dh2,590, Bambah at Farfetch
  • Metallic plisse top, Dh3,432, Semsem at Farfetch
    Metallic plisse top, Dh3,432, Semsem at Farfetch
  • Puffed-sleeve shirt dress, Dh2,335, Bougessa
    Puffed-sleeve shirt dress, Dh2,335, Bougessa
  • Drop-waist dress, Dh1,800, Amal Al Raisi at Ounass
    Drop-waist dress, Dh1,800, Amal Al Raisi at Ounass
  • Dress with embroidered sleeves and neckline, Dh1,652, Amal Al Raisi
    Dress with embroidered sleeves and neckline, Dh1,652, Amal Al Raisi
  • Zip top, Dh1,500, and zebra skirt, Dh2,100, Autonomie
    Zip top, Dh1,500, and zebra skirt, Dh2,100, Autonomie

Ramadan 2021: 28 outfit ideas to see you through the holy month


  • English
  • Arabic

As Ramadan draws closer, thoughts are turning to time spent with loved ones and the happiness of the holy month.

Although celebrations will be muted this year, due to Covid-19 restrictions, there is still plenty of opportunity to dress up and mark the occasion.

Those who favour subtle palettes and flowing lines will enjoy the seasonal offerings by Twisted Roots, which include a fluid dress that covers neck to ankle in the softest shade of baby pink. Amal Al Raisi, meanwhile, has a beautiful, short-sleeved dress that comes with longer sleeves underneath, fully embroidered for a hint of shimmer.

Kaftan, Dh2,203, Kaleidoscope by Mimi. Courtesy Kaleidoscope by Mimi.
Kaftan, Dh2,203, Kaleidoscope by Mimi. Courtesy Kaleidoscope by Mimi.

Taller Marmo offers a fringed kaftan in baby pink, while Noon by Noor opts for pale lemon yellow for its long-sleeve, handkerchief hem dress.

Another local name, Kristina Fidelskaya, has matching palazzo pants and an abaya in a pretty Art Deco print while a new brand, Niili, offers a lovely array of patterned dresses and separates that come with interesting details, such as a wrapped torso. SemSem, meanwhile, presents lots of pleating courtesy of a dazzling blue gown, or a silvery, matching top and wide-legged trousers that will look great with heels.

Another new arrival is Autonomie, which has a range of pretty-meets-edgy pieces, including a fabulous zebra-print high-low skirt, with a contrasting hip wrap.

Even the high-street brands have upped their game this year. Online platform Asos has a funnel-necked dress in gingham and florals that is a steal at Dh191, while Stradivarius delivers a printed summer dress that is charmingly upbeat in tones of yellow and orange. Or for something a little dressier, try its dark lilac dress that comes with a side tie and hood.

H&M gets in on the act with a smock dress with puffed sleeves in a honey caramel, while Marks and Spencer offers a chic range of wide-legged trousers and loose-cut shirts.

Click through the gallery above to see our round-up of some of the best looks from regional designers – and beyond – this Ramadan.

What are the influencer academy modules?
  1. Mastery of audio-visual content creation. 
  2. Cinematography, shots and movement.
  3. All aspects of post-production.
  4. Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
  5. Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
  6. Tourism industry knowledge.
  7. Professional ethics.
If you go...

Etihad flies daily from Abu Dhabi to Zurich, with fares starting from Dh2,807 return. Frequent high speed trains between Zurich and Vienna make stops at St. Anton.

Squad

Ali Kasheif, Salim Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Khalfan Mubarak, Ali Mabkhout, Omar Abdulrahman, Mohammed Al Attas, Abdullah Ramadan, Zayed Al Ameri (Al Jazira), Mohammed Al Shamsi, Hamdan Al Kamali, Mohammed Barghash, Khalil Al Hammadi (Al Wahda), Khalid Essa, Mohammed Shaker, Ahmed Barman, Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Al Hassan Saleh, Majid Suroor (Sharjah) Walid Abbas, Ahmed Khalil (Shabab Al Ahli), Tariq Ahmed, Jasim Yaqoub (Al Nasr), Ali Saleh, Ali Salmeen (Al Wasl), Hassan Al Muharami (Baniyas) 

Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

How to help

Call the hotline on 0502955999 or send "thenational" to the following numbers:

2289 - Dh10

2252 - Dh50

6025 - Dh20

6027 - Dh100

6026 - Dh200

The specs

Price, base / as tested Dh12 million

Engine 8.0-litre quad-turbo, W16

Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch auto

Power 1479 @ 6,700rpm

Torque 1600Nm @ 2,000rpm 0-100kph: 2.6 seconds 0-200kph: 6.1 seconds

Top speed 420 kph (governed)

Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)

Classification of skills

A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation. 

A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.

The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000. 

Getting there

The flights

Emirates and Etihad fly to Johannesburg or Cape Town daily. Flights cost from about Dh3,325, with a flying time of 8hours and 15 minutes. From there, fly South African Airlines or Air Namibia to Namibia’s Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport, for about Dh850. Flying time is 2 hours.

The stay

Wilderness Little Kulala offers stays from £460 (Dh2,135) per person, per night. It is one of seven Wilderness Safari lodges in Namibia; www.wilderness-safaris.com.

Skeleton Coast Safaris’ four-day adventure involves joining a very small group in a private plane, flying to some of the remotest areas in the world, with each night spent at a different camp. It costs from US$8,335.30 (Dh30,611); www.skeletoncoastsafaris.com

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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