Eid is coming. And the excitement is building. And like Ramadan, it will bring its joys as well as its own challenges. Foremost among these are the "moonsighting wars", which are felt particularly acutely in Muslim minority countries. As Muslims follow a lunar calendar, and Eid is the first day of the month that immediately follows Ramadan, we can only know when Eid is when the crescent moon is seen at night. But the crescent appears at different times in different places.
Some people will accept that the crescent has been seen in a faraway country; some even if it is only scientifically possible (but not seen by the human eye); and others are happy to use telescopes; some the human eye, and sometimes moons are accepted as seen even if scientific data means it wouldn’t even have been possible. It is a rite of passage of Eid night, excruciating debate, which leads to one of the most blessed and celebratory days of the year for Muslims.
In the UK, Eid is celebrated by different communities, mosques and even families on different days, as they follow moon sightings from places like the Indian subcontinent, from Saudi Arabia and Morocco. From my side I have advocated a "supersized Eid" of three days, coupled with a healthy tolerance for people fasting or not fasting according to their own decisions about moonsighting and Eid. But the disputes continue, much to the despair of practicing Muslims.
More recently there has been a push for local moonsighting in the UK. The New Crescent Society in the UK was established five years ago to celebrate the relationship between astronomy, faith and Islam. One of its central pillars of work has been to establish a tradition of moonsighting in the UK, and primarily busting the myth that it is too cloudy to spot the moon. They have now collected half a decade’s worth of sightings and data. Highlighting when the moon is likely to be seen, and sending out moonsighting expeditions around the country, they are re-introducing Muslims in the UK to the excitement of going to seek the moon themselves, rather than relying on fraught phone calls from abroad to "declare" Eid, or looking to unverified reports on social media.
Establishing moonsighting and a trajectory towards a united Eid approach in the UK – even if it is not on the same day necessarily – shows a maturing of British Muslim communities. Since the middle of the 20th century, Muslim communities have established and interwoven themselves into British life. Today, estimates of the UK's Muslim population are between 2.8 million and 4 million, coming from diverse cultures and heritages.
Muslims in the UK always poll very high on Britishness, their faith and national pride going hand in hand. For example, I describe myself as a "British Muslim woman". The attachment for me is emotional and particularly acute to London, where I was born. It is my home, and a city that for me is a global microcosm. I love it so much that I put its skyline on my first book and memoir. And its vibrant Muslim communities and cultures are very much part of its rich, textured and influential global status. That’s why, when I was invited to be on the Mayor of London’s Community Advisory Group for Eid, it was a huge privilege to accept. What could be more meaningful, celebratory and global for me than putting London on the Eid map?
On Saturday, May 7th, "Eid in the Square" will be held at Trafalgar Square, a day-long celebration that will feature artists, comedians, musicians and entrepreneurs. I’ll be on stage too, interviewing "Muslim heroes" and the work they have been doing for their community and country. What a thrill to be on stage in one of the most prestigious locations in the world.
Most emotional and exciting of all has been the fact that I’ve been leading the design to light up the iconic London Eye in celebration of Eid for the very first time. Given the deep personal meaning, the only design choice for me has been to show the Eye lit up to depict the waxing and waning of the moon and finally the crescent moon followed by celebratory sparkles. The aim is to convey the excitement and joy Muslims feel during different phases of the moon, and the celebrations at the end that so many of us look forward to.
On May 2nd the crescent will be visible in the sky over the city and the London Eye will amplify the sighting. The Eye will light up in the evening at 1925, displaying the crescent at exactly the time it emerges in London, at the angle it appears in the city, making this a unique symbol. Celebrating in this way will hopefully make London’s diverse Muslim communities feel very proud.
Some Muslims in the UK will greet each other for Eid the day before or after. But whichever day we celebrate, it feels like this is a huge moment. London’s Muslims, like me, will be celebrating along with the global Muslim community.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Sun jukebox
Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)
This rip-off of Leiber/Stoller’s early rock stomper brought a lawsuit against Phillips and necessitated Presley’s premature sale to RCA.
Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)
The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.
Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Folsom Prison Blues (1955)
Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.
Carl Perkins, Blue Suede Shoes (1956)
Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.
Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)
An essential piece of irreverent juvenilia from Orbison.
Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire (1957)
Lee’s trademark anthem is one of the era’s best-remembered – and best-selling – songs.
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
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Tips for taking the metro
- set out well ahead of time
- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines
- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on
- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
ICC men's cricketer of the year
2004 - Rahul Dravid (IND) ; 2005 - Jacques Kallis (SA) and Andrew Flintoff (ENG); 2006 - Ricky Ponting (AUS); 2007 - Ricky Ponting; 2008 - Shivnarine Chanderpaul (WI); 2009 - Mitchell Johnson (AUS); 2010 - Sachin Tendulkar (IND); 2011 - Jonathan Trott (ENG); 2012 - Kumar Sangakkara (SL); 2013 - Michael Clarke (AUS); 2014 - Mitchell Johnson; 2015 - Steve Smith (AUS); 2016 - Ravichandran Ashwin (IND); 2017 - Virat Kohli (IND); 2018 - Virat Kohli; 2019 - Ben Stokes (ENG); 2021 - Shaheen Afridi
Anghami
Started: December 2011
Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital
Need to know
Unlike other mobile wallets and payment apps, a unique feature of eWallet is that there is no need to have a bank account, credit or debit card to do digital payments.
Customers only need a valid Emirates ID and a working UAE mobile number to register for eWallet account.
Bridgerton%20season%20three%20-%20part%20one
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVarious%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nicola%20Coughlan%2C%20Luke%20Newton%2C%20Jonathan%20Bailey%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Sonchiriya
Director: Abhishek Chaubey
Producer: RSVP Movies, Azure Entertainment
Cast: Sushant Singh Rajput, Manoj Bajpayee, Ashutosh Rana, Bhumi Pednekar, Ranvir Shorey
Rating: 3/5
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
Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
