Eid Al Etihad, the UAE’s 53rd National Day, brings a wave of celebrations and a chance to honour the nation's spirit. Dazzling fireworks, themed decor and traditional Emirati performances aside, plenty of deals and discounts can be found on food, shopping and activities.
So while the long weekend, from November 29 to December 3, is set to be busy, it does not have to break the bank. Here are some dirham-saving offers worth checking out.
Free entry to Louvre Abu Dhabi
On December 2, visitors can enter the museum in the capital for free, plus enjoy a 15 per cent discount at Aptitude Cafe within the venue. An Arabian majlis will be set up under the museum's famed dome, where complimentary gahwa and luqaimat will be served while ayyala and nahma chants play in the background. Visitors can also attend a film screening at 7pm, featuring City of Life and Happy Birthday Younis.
December 2; 10am-midnight; Saadiyat Island; 600 565566
Free cultural event at Ibn Battuta Mall
The Egypt Court at Ibn Battuta Mall has a cultural celebration featuring an exhibition of portraits showing the UAE reimagined with a modern flair. The pieces showcase Emirati life and landscapes, enhanced with futuristic elements using digital art. Free crafts workshops are also on site, including burqa-decorating, stick-painting and bracelet-making. Face-painting and henna art stations are free of charge.
December 1 to 3; 2pm-10pm; Jebel Ali Village, Dubai
Free go-karting on Yas Island
Yas Marina Circuit is putting on a car parade of vehicles dressed in the colours of the UAE flag, while also giving attendees a taste of the F1 season finale site. There will be a go-karting competition for adults and children, as well as other cultural activities, including performances by Emirati singers, camel and falcon interactions, calligraphy writing and more. Entry is free, but registration is required.
December 2; 4pm-10pm; Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Complimentary dessert at Twine
The Mediterranean restaurant in Dubai has concocted a special dessert – lokmat al quemada. The dish pairs soft luqaimat with creamy cheesecake, finished with a drizzle of pomegranate and lime syrup. It is complimentary for diners who spend more than Dh120.
December 2; Dubai World Trade Centre
Discount at Smash Room
There are discounts available at the three Smash Room outposts in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, where visitors can de-stress and have fun. Guests can smash 53 glass bottles for a discounted price of Dh53 (the usual rate is Dh199 for 15 glass items and one CPU). The offer is valid across all Smash Room branches in Al Quoz, Mirdif and Abu Dhabi.
December 2; Al Quoz and Mirdif, Dubai; Al Rawdah, Abu Dhabi
Free family day out at Emirates Dubai 7s
Families are invited to come on the first day of the Emirates Dubai 7s on November 29 at no cost, although registration is required. The ticketed event goes on over the long weekend. Activities include a jungle-themed zone for children, inflatable giant board games, virtual reality experiences and an outdoor cinema with free popcorn. There will also be a mini raver station with a DJ deck for children to try out.
November 29; 9am-7pm; Dubai; The Sevens Stadium, E66 Dubai Al Ain road
Free museums in Sharjah
All public museums in Sharjah city, Kalba and Khorfakkan are free on December 1 and 2. The initiative aims to foster a “deeper appreciation of Emirati heritage” and “connect with the nation’s cultural legacy”.
Birthday meal at Nando's
This one is super-specific, but Emiratis who have turned 53 this year can go to any branch of the South African chainon December 1 or 2 for a free main course, as the restaurant looks to “honour those who have witnessed the country's growth over the years”. An Emirates ID is compulsory to confirm eligibility.
December 1 and 2; Nando's outlets across the UAE
Discounted dishes at Art of Dum and Bombay Borough
The two Indian restaurants in Dubai are celebrating with discounts on selected dishes. At delivery-only Art of Dum, customers can order six of its signature dishes priced at Dh53 each. At Bombay Borough restaurant in DIFC, guests can enjoy truffle carpaccio with a tangy salsa verde and almond crust (usually priced at Dh70), spinach patta chaat (Dh70), charcoal roasted baati (Dh95) and chocolate fondant (Dh80). These dishes are Dh53 each for a limited period.
Discounted pizza and risotto at Andreas Di Venezia
Italian food lovers can head to this restaurant at Andalus Al Seef Resort and Spa in Abu Dhabi to sample limited-edition pizza and risotto, inspired by the UAE colours. There's the Roman-style rectangular pizza served in tri-colour using marinara, pesto and mushrooms for Dh96 and a risotto dish for Dh70. Both items will be sold with a 53 per cent discount on December 2.
December 2; 7.30am-1am; Al Muntazah, Abu Dhabi; 050 130 4511
Discounts at Royal Furniture
Massive discounts are available on a variety of homeware products as part of this Royal Furniture's online sale. From coffee tables and sofas to dining sets and bedroom fixtures, items are discounted by up to 90 per cent. For example, the Kemensky coffee table made of engineered wood retails for Dh495, down from Dh2,080, while the black Crimson recliner is priced at Dh750, instead of Dh1,550. The online sale runs from Wednesday to December 5.
Free khachapuri at Society
On December 2 and 3, Emirati diners at the Dubai and Abu Dhabi branches can get a complimentary plate of khachapuri, a traditional Georgian dish of cheese-filled bread. Guests need to pre-book and order at least one dish and a beverage.
December 2 and 3; 8am-9pm in Dubai, 8am-11pm in Abu Dhabi
Complimentary UAE-themed cake at Sfumato
Diners will be treated with a free slice of UAE flag-inspired cake when they order a main course on December 2.
December 2; 9am-11pm; ME Dubai Hotel; 058 101 5649
Discounted rates at Atlantis The Palm
Until December 4, guests can book a room or suite at Atlantis The Palm for stay dates between December 2 and 22 at 35 per cent off. All bookings will include complimentary access to both Aquaventure World and Lost Chambers Aquarium per room for each night booked.
For bookings made until December 4; Palm Jumeirah, Dubai; 04 426 0000
Free dessert at Alaya
Diners at this Mediterranean restaurant will be served a complimentary National Day-themed chocolate dessert, featuring the colours of the UAE flag. The ingredients used to make the dish include pistachio, black seed and dry yoghurt. The offer is available, from December 1 to 3, to diners who order a meal.
December 1 to 3; 12.30pm-11.20pm; Dubai International Financial Centre; 04 570 6289
Free coffee and luqaimat at James Cafe
The Al Reem and Al Qana branches of this home-grown cafe will serve complimentary Arabic coffee plus luqaimat to diners on December 2. The venue serves French dishes, including freshly baked pastries, croissants and desserts.
December 2; 7am-11pm; Al Reem and Al Qana, Abu Dhabi; 02 886 9949
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Building boom turning to bust as Turkey's economy slows
Deep in a provincial region of northwestern Turkey, it looks like a mirage - hundreds of luxury houses built in neat rows, their pointed towers somewhere between French chateau and Disney castle.
Meant to provide luxurious accommodations for foreign buyers, the houses are however standing empty in what is anything but a fairytale for their investors.
The ambitious development has been hit by regional turmoil as well as the slump in the Turkish construction industry - a key sector - as the country's economy heads towards what could be a hard landing in an intensifying downturn.
After a long period of solid growth, Turkey's economy contracted 1.1 per cent in the third quarter, and many economists expect it will enter into recession this year.
The country has been hit by high inflation and a currency crisis in August. The lira lost 28 per cent of its value against the dollar in 2018 and markets are still unconvinced by the readiness of the government under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to tackle underlying economic issues.
The villas close to the town centre of Mudurnu in the Bolu region are intended to resemble European architecture and are part of the Sarot Group's Burj Al Babas project.
But the development of 732 villas and a shopping centre - which began in 2014 - is now in limbo as Sarot Group has sought bankruptcy protection.
It is one of hundreds of Turkish companies that have done so as they seek cover from creditors and to restructure their debts.
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Gender pay parity on track in the UAE
The UAE has a good record on gender pay parity, according to Mercer's Total Remuneration Study.
"In some of the lower levels of jobs women tend to be paid more than men, primarily because men are employed in blue collar jobs and women tend to be employed in white collar jobs which pay better," said Ted Raffoul, career products leader, Mena at Mercer. "I am yet to see a company in the UAE – particularly when you are looking at a blue chip multinationals or some of the bigger local companies – that actively discriminates when it comes to gender on pay."
Mr Raffoul said most gender issues are actually due to the cultural class, as the population is dominated by Asian and Arab cultures where men are generally expected to work and earn whereas women are meant to start a family.
"For that reason, we see a different gender gap. There are less women in senior roles because women tend to focus less on this but that’s not due to any companies having a policy penalising women for any reasons – it’s a cultural thing," he said.
As a result, Mr Raffoul said many companies in the UAE are coming up with benefit package programmes to help working mothers and the career development of women in general.
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MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
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
ATP RANKINGS (NOVEMBER 4)
1. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 9,585 pts ( 1)
2. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 8,945 (-1)
3. Roger Federer (SUI) 6,190
4. Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 5,705
5. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 5,025
6. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 4,000 ( 1)
7. Alexander Zverev (GER) 2,945 (-1)
8. Matteo Berrettini (ITA) 2,670 ( 1)
9. Roberto Bautista (ESP) 2,540 ( 1)
10. Gaël Monfils (FRA) 2,530 ( 3)
11. David Goffin (BEL) 2,335 ( 3)
12. Fabio Fognini (ITA) 2,290
13. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 2,180 (-2)
14. Diego Schwartzman (ARG) 2,125 ( 1)
15. Denis Shapovalov (CAN) 2,050 ( 13)
16. Stan Wawrinka (SUI) 2,000
17. Karen Khachanov (RUS) 1,840 (-9)
18. Alex De Minaur (AUS) 1,775
19. John Isner (USA) 1,770 (-2)
20. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 1,747 ( 7)
HOW DO SIM CARD SCAMS WORK?
Sim swap frauds are a form of identity theft.
They involve criminals conning mobile phone operators into issuing them with replacement Sim cards, often by claiming their phone has been lost or stolen
They use the victim's personal details - obtained through criminal methods - to convince such companies of their identity.
The criminal can then access any online service that requires security codes to be sent to a user's mobile phone, such as banking services.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Innotech Profile
Date started: 2013
Founder/CEO: Othman Al Mandhari
Based: Muscat, Oman
Sector: Additive manufacturing, 3D printing technologies
Size: 15 full-time employees
Stage: Seed stage and seeking Series A round of financing
Investors: Oman Technology Fund from 2017 to 2019, exited through an agreement with a new investor to secure new funding that it under negotiation right now.
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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
