People watch a whirling dervish perform during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, a tradition ahead of the Fitr feast, in Lebanon's southern city of Saida late on May 8, 2021. Dervishes are adepts of Sufism, a mystical form of Islam that preaches tolerance and a search for understanding. Those who whirl, like planets around the sun, turn dance into a form of prayer. / AFP / Mahmoud ZAYYAT
People watch a whirling dervish perform during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, a tradition ahead of the Fitr feast, in Lebanon's southern city of Saida late on May 8, 2021. Dervishes are adepts of Sufism, a mystical form of Islam that preaches tolerance and a search for understanding. Those who whirl, like planets around the sun, turn dance into a form of prayer. / AFP / Mahmoud ZAYYAT
People watch a whirling dervish perform during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, a tradition ahead of the Fitr feast, in Lebanon's southern city of Saida late on May 8, 2021. Dervishes are adepts of Sufism, a mystical form of Islam that preaches tolerance and a search for understanding. Those who whirl, like planets around the sun, turn dance into a form of prayer. / AFP / Mahmoud ZAYYAT
People watch a whirling dervish perform during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, a tradition ahead of the Fitr feast, in Lebanon's southern city of Saida late on May 8, 2021. Dervishes are adepts of S

Eid Al Fitr to begin on Thursday in Lebanon


Fatima Al Mahmoud
  • English
  • Arabic

Lebanon will welcome Eid Al Fitr on Thursday, May 13.

Eid was announced on Wednesday night after moon-sighting committees in the Arab world spotted the new moon with the naked eye, signaling the end of Ramadan.

Eid is a joyous time of the year that is often celebrated in Lebanon with decorations and delicacies like 'maamoul', or Lebanese shortbread stuffed with dates, pistachios, almonds or walnuts.

Worshippers gather all night to hold Eid prayers or Salat al Eid, as part of a religious ceremony.

This year, however, Eid prayers will be held at 30 per cent capacity in Lebanon’s mosques due to coronavirus restrictions.

The country will also enforce a nationwide lockdown for two days to avoid super spreader events and large gatherings.

The lockdown is the latest in a series of preventive measures aimed at curbing a Covid-19 outbreak, despite noticeable improvement in Lebanon's coronavirus numbers. It was also implemented throughout Easter 2021.

During lockdown, a 24-hour curfew will be in place starting 5 am on the first night of Eid and will last for two days. A permit will be required to go to places like supermarkets, pharmacies, bakeries and hospitals.

Malls, gyms, restaurants and cafes will be closed, but delivery services will remain operational. Lebanese authorities are also working with religious organisations to encourage safety measures.

Still, residents say Eid is special.

“It’s not the optimal celebration this year, but Eid will always make me happy with the wonderful energy it brings,” 19-year-old student Dina Hussein said.

  • The streets are deserted in downtown Beirut as Lebanon authorities impose a nationwide lockdown between April 3 and April 6, 2021. EPA
    The streets are deserted in downtown Beirut as Lebanon authorities impose a nationwide lockdown between April 3 and April 6, 2021. EPA
  • The lockdown and a 24-hour curfew will be effective until April 6. EPA
    The lockdown and a 24-hour curfew will be effective until April 6. EPA
  • The curfew, taking place during the Easter holiday, is aimed at preventing the spread of Covid-19 infections. EPA
    The curfew, taking place during the Easter holiday, is aimed at preventing the spread of Covid-19 infections. EPA
  • Lockdown comes as part of the country’s updated national lockdown measures amid worrying Covid-19 numbers. EPA
    Lockdown comes as part of the country’s updated national lockdown measures amid worrying Covid-19 numbers. EPA
  • On March 22 the country witnessed the highest number of admissions to intensive care units since the start of the pandemic. EPA
    On March 22 the country witnessed the highest number of admissions to intensive care units since the start of the pandemic. EPA
  • Lebanon will implement the same restrictions for Eid Al Fitr, as the country struggles to curb the coronavirus spread. EPA
    Lebanon will implement the same restrictions for Eid Al Fitr, as the country struggles to curb the coronavirus spread. EPA
  • Lockdown comes as the country faces its worst economic crisis. EPA
    Lockdown comes as the country faces its worst economic crisis. EPA
The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

SPECS
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Adele: The Stories Behind The Songs
Caroline Sullivan
Carlton Books

How to help

Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200

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West Asia Premiership

Dubai Hurricanes 58-10 Dubai Knights Eagles

Dubai Tigers 5-39 Bahrain

Jebel Ali Dragons 16-56 Abu Dhabi Harlequins

THE BIO

Age: 30

Favourite book: The Power of Habit

Favourite quote: "The world is full of good people, if you cannot find one, be one"

Favourite exercise: The snatch

Favourite colour: Blue

Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

Name: Peter Dicce

Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics

Favourite sport: soccer

Favourite team: Bayern Munich

Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer

Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates 

 

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENetflix%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKris%20Fade%2C%20Ebraheem%20Al%20Samadi%2C%20Zeina%20Khoury%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHigh%20fever%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIntense%20pain%20behind%20your%20eyes%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESevere%20headache%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENausea%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EVomiting%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESwollen%20glands%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ERash%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIf%20symptoms%20occur%2C%20they%20usually%20last%20for%20two-seven%20days%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company profile

Name: Dukkantek 

Started: January 2021 

Founders: Sanad Yaghi, Ali Al Sayegh and Shadi Joulani 

Based: UAE 

Number of employees: 140 

Sector: B2B Vertical SaaS(software as a service) 

Investment: $5.2 million 

Funding stage: Seed round 

Investors: Global Founders Capital, Colle Capital Partners, Wamda Capital, Plug and Play, Comma Capital, Nowais Capital, Annex Investments and AMK Investment Office  

If you go

The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.

J%20Street%20Polling%20Results
%3Cp%3E97%25%20of%20Jewish-Americans%20are%20concerned%20about%20the%20rise%20in%20anti-Semitism%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E76%25%20of%20US%20Jewish%20voters%20believe%20Donald%20Trump%20and%20his%20allies%20in%20the%20Republican%20Party%20are%20responsible%20for%20a%20rise%20in%20anti-Semitism%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E74%25%20of%20American%20Jews%20agreed%20that%20%E2%80%9CTrump%20and%20the%20Maga%20movement%20are%20a%20threat%20to%20Jews%20in%20America%22%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km

Price: Dh133,900

On sale: now 

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