A family trip to a Dubai beach turned into tragedy when an Indian teenager drowned after strong currents swept him out to sea.
Ahmed Mafaz, 15, drowned off Al Mamzar beach on Friday night while playing with his elder sister Fatima, his family said on Sunday. The family said they were "eternally grateful" to a stranger who waded into the water to rescue Fatima, 21, when she called out for help.
“We are all heartbroken, my aunt and cousin can’t stop crying, everyone is terribly sad,” Ahmed’s cousin Zefina told The National from the family home in Deira.
“The family was out at the beach on Friday night. My cousins Ahmed and Fatima were playing with a ball in the sea. They were not very deep and both are good swimmers. But suddenly he got carried away, the waves pulled him out. Fatima managed to call out for help and she was rescued.”
'I'm sorry I could only save one'
Ashraf AP Chengala, Ahmed’s father, told relatives he wishes he had been able to thank the person who rescued his daughter.
“We don’t know the man’s name or where he is from,” Zefina said. “My uncle said when the man pulled out Fatima, he said, ‘I’m sorry, I could only save one.’ We are eternally grateful to him.”
She described her cousin, the third of four siblings, as a polite boy. The Year 10 pupil at New Indian Model School also loved playing football.
“Ahmed enjoyed playing football with his friends and that day too he had plans to go out with them,” Zefina said. “But the family asked him to join them so they could all have an outing together at the beach and then this happened. We are all in shock.”
Police in the UAE often warn residents not to venture out in to the sea in low-light conditions and when the sea is rough.
Search teams found Ahmed’s body on Saturday evening and he will be buried after legal formalities are completed.
Ibrahim Berike, a social worker and volunteer with Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre, said rescue teams had searched for Ahmed since Friday night and found his body on Saturday evening.
“Ahmed will be buried after paperwork is completed,” he said. “The family needs time to process this tragedy. It was meant to be a fun family outing.
“They really want to thank the person who went into the water and managed to save Ahmed’s sister. The man responded immediately when he heard her shout for help.”
The family is from Kasaragod district in India’s southern Kerala state. Ahmed, along with his siblings and mother, moved to Dubai a few years ago to be with their father who runs a garment business.
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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
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Tori Amos
Native Invader
Decca
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