• Thousands attended prayers at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, to mark Laylat Al Qadr on Friday. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
    Thousands attended prayers at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, to mark Laylat Al Qadr on Friday. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
  • Laylat Al Qadr — or the night of destiny — is one of the nights during the final 10 days of Ramadan in which the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Mohammed
    Laylat Al Qadr — or the night of destiny — is one of the nights during the final 10 days of Ramadan in which the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Mohammed
  • Crowds pray at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.
    Crowds pray at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.
  • Laylat Al Qadr is the highlight of Ramadan for thousands around the globe who flock to mosques.
    Laylat Al Qadr is the highlight of Ramadan for thousands around the globe who flock to mosques.
  • Deemed ‘worth a thousand months’, Laylat Al Qadr is the night the first Quranic verses were revealed.
    Deemed ‘worth a thousand months’, Laylat Al Qadr is the night the first Quranic verses were revealed.
  • Laylat Al Qadr is also known as the 'night of destiny'.
    Laylat Al Qadr is also known as the 'night of destiny'.
  • An entire chapter is devoted to the night of destiny in the final part of the Quran.
    An entire chapter is devoted to the night of destiny in the final part of the Quran.
  • Laylat Al Qadr is a cherished tradition that is marked around the world.
    Laylat Al Qadr is a cherished tradition that is marked around the world.

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi hosts thousands for Laylat Al Qadr prayers


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Thousands attended prayers at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi on Friday to mark Laylat Al Qadr.

The Night of Destiny, as it is otherwise known, is one of the odd numbered nights during the last 10 days of Ramadan during which the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Mohammed.

An entire chapter is devoted to the Night of Destiny in the final part of the Quran, where the night is described as “better than a thousand months”.

Reclusion is advised to mark the occasion as it is deemed a period of peace where the Earth’s energy is in tandem with the divinity of the night.

The night is said to be the highlight of Ramadan for thousands around the world who gather at mosques.

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Welcome back. What was it like to return to RAK and to play for fans out here again?
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You're currently touring the globe as part of your Legends of the Feels Tour. How important is it to you to include the Middle East in the schedule?
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You mix tracks that people know and love, but you also have a visually impressive set too (graphics etc). Is that the secret recipe to Dash Berlin's live gigs?
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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

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UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves. 

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Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.

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