Stars of Arab cinema, television and music have paid their respects to the late Dalal Abdel Aziz, after the Egyptian actress died on Saturday, aged 61, from complications related to Covid-19.
Her death was announced on Facebook by her son-in-law, TV journalist Ramy Radwan.
Tunisian actress Hend Sabri led the tributes, describing Abdel Aziz as possessing a skill and sense of mission all her own.
"Today, we lost an artist and a person of unique style who was not only a capable star but a duty bearer, as they say," Sabry wrote on Twitter on Saturday.
Producer Sadek Sabbah recalled working with Abdel Aziz in one of her final projects, this year’s Ramadan television series Meluk El Gadaana.
"You left with an unforgettable impression with your kindness, humanity, sweet spirit, professionalism and appreciation for all,” he said. “You are an example in art and morals."
Lebanese pop star Elissa said she took solace in Abdel Aziz reuniting with her late husband, the Egyptian actor Samir Ghanem, who also died from Covid-19 complications in May.
"This is very unjust and difficult," she said. "The consolation is that when Dalal Abdel Aziz came back, she met with the love of her life again."
Emirati singer Hussain Al Jassmi poignantly added: “Farewell to the love of the whole world."
Abdel Aziz contracted Covid-19 four months ago along with her late husband, one of Egypt’s most celebrated comedians.
“She could not let herself abandon her beloved, and she decided to follow him to heaven,” read Radwan’s social media announcement of her death, referring to the famously loving marriage the actress had with her late husband.
Radwan is married to the couple’s eldest daughter Donia Samir Ghanem, a popular actress and singer in her own right.
News of Abdel Aziz’s death was also confirmed by her other son-in-law, actor Hassan El Raddad, who called her “the kindest person he had ever met” as he lamented her passing on social media.
The actress’s death became the No 1 trending topic on Twitter in Egypt on Saturday, with many of her fans offering condolences to her family.
Born in 1960, the actress had a long and successful acting career.
Beginning in the late 1970s and early 1980s, it didn’t take long for Abdel Aziz to rise to the top of Egyptian entertainment's A-list, cementing her place as a dramatic tour de force who brought an inimitable stamp to every role.
Speaking to The National in May 2020, Abdel Aziz said: "Comedy is one of the most difficult of the performance arts.
"It is a world of its own and there are so many different ways to do it. What makes it harder is that when it is done, to deliver a targeted social message."
She married Ghanem in 1984 and the pair became one of Egyptian cinema’s most beloved celebrity couples.
Amr Saad, a co-star of Abdel Aziz's on a recent TV show, revealed in a televised interview on Thursday the actress had not been informed by her family or medical team that her husband had died.
The late actress is survived by two daughters, Donia and Emmy, both successful actresses.
MATCH INFO
Juventus 1 (Dybala 45')
Lazio 3 (Alberto 16', Lulic 73', Cataldi 90 4')
Red card: Rodrigo Bentancur (Juventus)
THE SPECS
Range Rover Sport Autobiography Dynamic
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Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 518bhp
Torque: 625Nm
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Kanye%20West
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Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
KLOPP%20AT%20LIVERPOOL
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MO
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Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Score
New Zealand 266 for 9 in 50 overs
Pakistan 219 all out in 47.2 overs
New Zealand win by 47 runs
New Zealand lead three-match ODI series 1-0
Next match: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, Friday
Company%20profile
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What is Diwali?
The Hindu festival is at once a celebration of the autumn harvest and the triumph of good over evil, as outlined in the Ramayana.
According to the Sanskrit epic, penned by the sage Valmiki, Diwali marks the time that the exiled king Rama – a mortal with superhuman powers – returned home to the city of Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, after vanquishing the 10-headed demon Ravana and conquering his kingdom of Lanka. The people of Ayodhya are believed to have lit thousands of earthen lamps to illuminate the city and to guide the royal family home.
In its current iteration, Diwali is celebrated with a puja to welcome the goodness of prosperity Lakshmi (an incarnation of Sita) into the home, which is decorated with diyas (oil lamps) or fairy lights and rangoli designs with coloured powder. Fireworks light up the sky in some parts of the word, and sweetmeats are made (or bought) by most households. It is customary to get new clothes stitched, and visit friends and family to exchange gifts and greetings.
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Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
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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
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
Yahya Al Ghassani's bio
Date of birth: April 18, 1998
Playing position: Winger
Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda
Your Guide to the Home
- Level 1 has a valet service if you choose not to park in the basement level. This level houses all the kitchenware, including covetable brand French Bull, along with a wide array of outdoor furnishings, lamps and lighting solutions, textiles like curtains, towels, cushions and bedding, and plenty of other home accessories.
- Level 2 features curated inspiration zones and solutions for bedrooms, living rooms and dining spaces. This is also where you’d go to customise your sofas and beds, and pick and choose from more than a dozen mattress options.
- Level 3 features The Home’s “man cave” set-up and a display of industrial and rustic furnishings. This level also has a mother’s room, a play area for children with staff to watch over the kids, furniture for nurseries and children’s rooms, and the store’s design studio.
The%20specs
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
