Ramadan is always a wonderful way of connecting with others, spending quality time with loved ones, particularly in the evenings around the dinner table. To help make the holy month even more special, this year, the Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi has created a host of unique experiences for iftar and suhoor.
For animal lovers, fans of architecture or those simply looking for something a bit out of the ordinary, there is something for everyone.
Iftar with lions at Al Ain Zoo
Al Ain Zoo is offering a unique opportunity to enjoy iftar alongside its lions. The evening starts at 5.30pm with a sunset tour by Al Ain Safari that takes visitors around the zoo before delivering guests to the iftar, set up next to the lions enclosure. A set menu is on offer and available to those over the age of 12, and for groups of four to 12 people. Reservations must be made at least 48 hours in advance.
The evening wraps at 8pm and is priced at Dh840 ($228).
More information is available at www.alainzoo.ae
Iftar with giraffes and elephants at Emirates Park Zoo
If lions sound too ferocious, why not enjoy an evening with giraffes instead, thanks to Emirates Park Zoo. It is offering a two-hour iftar experience from 6.30pm, giving visitors the opportunity to not only admire these creatures up close, but also feed the gentle herbivores.
It's open to groups of up to five people and it also grants full-day access to the zoo, for those who want to make a day of it, as well as a complimentary environmental tour guide and an African drumming experience.
There's also the option to break your fast with elephants instead. At 6.30pm every evening, there is a set menu iftar available in the elephant area. The experience comes with an educational talk about these fascinating pachyderms, and even a chance to interact with, and feed, them.
Up to 12 people can get involved and, as with the giraffe experience, the ticket also provides full-day access to the zoo and an African drumming session.
Iftar with giraffes costs Dh1,785 per group of five people, while iftar with elephants can be enjoyed for Dh250 per person, for a maximum of 12 people.
More information is available at www.emiratesparkzooandresort.com
Iftar at Louvre Abu Dhabi
Art lovers will relish the chance to dine at this prestigious museum and under Jean Nouvel’s beautiful dome, as two venues have opened their doors for iftar.
Fouquet's Abu Dhabi is offering a three-course Emirati and French meal, while Art Lounge is offering lighter bites at its rooftop site. It's open from sunset until 10pm.
Fouquet’s Abu Dhabi costs Dh390 per person, and Art Lounge is a la carte.
More information is available at www.louvreabudhabi.ae
Iftar and suhoor at Jebel Hafit Desert Park
Enjoy eating under the stars at Jebel Hafit Desert Park, from 7pm throughout Ramadan, at Hafit Foothills Lounge by Pura. Deals for both iftar and suhoor are on offer against the stunning backdrop of Jebel Hafit.
Soak up the surroundings at Pura Eco Retreat — Jebel Hafit Desert Park, over iftar from 7pm, and suhoor from 9pm.
For those wanting make the most of the evening, why not "glamp" in a sky bubble or skylight dome, and savour the bonfire that starts at 9pm each night?
Ramadan stay offers with iftar or suhoor are from Dh845.
More information is at www.visitabudhabi.ae
Suhoor on the beach
Experience a Bedouin-style Ramadan suhoor experience at the Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas.
Situated on Saadiyat Island, it offers a serene environment, away from the city. For the entire month, the hotel is hosting a Suhoor on the Beach with gourmet food, tea and shisha.
It's on from 9pm to 1am and includes live Arabic music entertainment with either oud or qanun performances. Prior booking is recommended.
Suhoor is priced at Dh495, with Dh300 the starting price for shisha.
More information is available at www.hyatt.com
Suhoor on the lawns
The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal, is offering a suhoor outside on its lawns, overlooking Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. It runs from 9pm to 2am every evening with an a la carte menu of Middle Eastern specialities and different flavours of shisha, all offered within the lounge-style setting in the open air.
For those who prefer a little more privacy, there are sharing cabanas available too.
There is a minimum spend of Dh200 per person.
More details available at www.ritzcarlton.com
Iftar cruise along the corniche
Break your fast on the water, and opt for a cruise along the Abu Dhabi Corniche, taking in the atmosphere and impressive city skyline.
It's offered by Royal Yacht and includes an open international buffet, as well as traditional Ramadan juices and sweets.
The experience lasts for one hour, between 6.30pm and 7.30pm, and is available daily. It starts at Marina Mall, then sails along the Corniche and Mina before heading back on itself.
The iftar is Dh120 per person.
More information is available at www.royalyachtuae.com
UAE tour of the Netherlands
UAE squad: Rohan Mustafa (captain), Shaiman Anwar, Ghulam Shabber, Mohammed Qasim, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Chirag Suri, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Mohammed Naveed, Amjad Javed, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Fixtures:
Monday, 1st 50-over match
Wednesday, 2nd 50-over match
Thursday, 3rd 50-over match
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, last-16, second leg (first-leg scores in brackets):
PSG (2) v Manchester United (0)
Midnight (Thursday), BeIN Sports
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Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
Zayed Sustainability Prize
RESULTS
6.30pm Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner Canvassed, Par Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
7.05pm Meydan Cup – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,810m
Winner Dubai Future, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor
7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Mouheeb, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard
8.15pm Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
9.50pm Meydan Classic – Conditions (TB) $$50,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Topper Bill, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
9.25pm Dubai Sprint – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner Man Of Promise, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
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The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
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.
More coverage from the Future Forum
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
Duminy's Test career in numbers
Tests 46; Runs 2,103; Best 166; Average 32.85; 100s 6; 50s 8; Wickets 42; Best 4-47
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Way It Was: My Life with Frank Sinatra by Eliot Weisman and Jennifer Valoppi
Hachette Books
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Who is Allegra Stratton?
- Previously worked at The Guardian, BBC’s Newsnight programme and ITV News
- Took up a public relations role for Chancellor Rishi Sunak in April 2020
- In October 2020 she was hired to lead No 10’s planned daily televised press briefings
- The idea was later scrapped and she was appointed spokeswoman for Cop26
- Ms Stratton, 41, is married to James Forsyth, the political editor of The Spectator
- She has strong connections to the Conservative establishment
- Mr Sunak served as best man at her 2011 wedding to Mr Forsyth
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
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Uefa Nations League
League A:
Germany, Portugal, Belgium, Spain, France, England, Switzerland, Italy, Poland, Iceland, Croatia, Netherlands
League B:
Austria, Wales, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Ukraine, Republic of Ireland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Northern Ireland, Denmark, Czech Republic, Turkey
League C:
Hungary, Romania, Scotland, Slovenia, Greece, Serbia, Albania, Norway, Montenegro, Israel, Bulgaria, Finland, Cyprus, Estonia, Lithuania
League D:
Azerbaijan, Macedonia, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia, Latvia, Faroe Islands, Luxembourg, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Liechtenstein, Malta, Andorra, Kosovo, San Marino, Gibraltar
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
Essentials
The flights: You can fly from the UAE to Iceland with one stop in Europe with a variety of airlines. Return flights with Emirates from Dubai to Stockholm, then Icelandair to Reykjavik, cost from Dh4,153 return. The whole trip takes 11 hours. British Airways flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Reykjavik, via London, with return flights taking 12 hours and costing from Dh2,490 return, including taxes.
The activities: A half-day Silfra snorkelling trip costs 14,990 Icelandic kronur (Dh544) with Dive.is. Inside the Volcano also takes half a day and costs 42,000 kronur (Dh1,524). The Jokulsarlon small-boat cruise lasts about an hour and costs 9,800 kronur (Dh356). Into the Glacier costs 19,500 kronur (Dh708). It lasts three to four hours.
The tours: It’s often better to book a tailor-made trip through a specialist operator. UK-based Discover the World offers seven nights, self-driving, across the island from £892 (Dh4,505) per person. This includes three nights’ accommodation at Hotel Husafell near Into the Glacier, two nights at Hotel Ranga and two nights at the Icelandair Hotel Klaustur. It includes car rental, plus an iPad with itinerary and tourist information pre-loaded onto it, while activities can be booked as optional extras. More information inspiredbyiceland.com
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