Their first try scorer is nicknamed “Sonic” because of her speed. They know their coach as the “Arab Portia Woodman”. And the team’s founder just reckons they are all “gladiators”.
The fact they were reliant on a missed conversion to earn them a draw in their first match at an Emirates Dubai Sevens hardly mattered. They were every bit deserving of a share the spoils in the first ever all-Arab women’s game at the Sevens.
Al Arabi are making history this weekend as the first female side from Syria to play in the Middle East’s longest running rugby festival.
It was fitting that they should face Al Maha, the trailblazing Emirati team, in their opening fixture in the Gulf Women’s tournament. It finished 10-10, and they are thrilled to be on the scoreboard.
“To get a draw in our first game is a very beautiful feeling, and we are super excited. This is an honour for us,” Roushana Mrad, the Al Arabi captain, said.
“People might not know there is a lot of conflict in our country. We have a lot of struggles economically, and we don’t even have a playground to play on.
“We started from zero. We only had 10 days to practice. And now here we are. We want to show that the Syrian ladies team is resilient.”
Fair to say, they have had many obstacles to overcome, from playing in a conflict zone, to going without the basics. They play on a football field now, but their introduction to the sport was on concrete.
“We were waiting so much time for someone who was travelling to get us a ball,” said Basel Halabi, the team’s founder.
“When we first started the team we had three balls – one size three, one size four, and one official size. For three months we only trained with two of those.
“Everything was impacting the growth of the game, but for me they are soldiers, not players – gladiators, to be specific. They are survivors.
“We are trying to spread this game. We want it to go viral.”
Their opposition are every bit a triumph for hope over adversity, too. The Emirati female programme has been UAE Rugby’s finest achievement to date.
They are rightly celebrated, too. During the half time interval in their game, an advert for one of the tournament sponsors flashed up on the bigscreen on Pitch 2.
It shows the Emirati players in rugby training, and carries the stirring tagline: “Becoming the heroes they never had.”
It is a sentiment the Syrians echo. “These players are going to be a great inspiration,” said Nour Issa, the manager of the Al Arabi team who was draped in the Syrian flag throughout the game.
Alyamama Abo Ras, who is nicknamed in reference to Sonic the Hedgehog, had the honour of touching down Al Arabi’s first try. It met with the approval of coach Ragha Abo Ammar.
Ammar is said to be the Arab version of Woodman-Wickliffe, the New Zealand wing who was the women’s sevens player of the last decade, and will be here with New Zealand in the world series event this weekend.
As a professional basketball player back in Syria, she has opted to coach rather than play this weekend.
She was the first female player in Syria. She introduced it to the likes of captain Mrad, and she hopes the sport can continue to grow among females in their country.
“I saw a Facebook post about rugby by Basel and was interested in what it looked like," Ammar said.
“I started searching about the game, and I fell in love with it. Even when I am playing basketball I want to tackle people. I really love it.”
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
Zayed Sustainability Prize
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
The five pillars of Islam
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
ARGYLLE
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The years Ramadan fell in May
Try out the test yourself
Q1 Suppose you had $100 in a savings account and the interest rate was 2 per cent per year. After five years, how much do you think you would have in the account if you left the money to grow?
a) More than $102
b) Exactly $102
c) Less than $102
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer
Q2 Imagine that the interest rate on your savings account was 1 per cent per year and inflation was 2 per cent per year. After one year, how much would you be able to buy with the money in this account?
a) More than today
b) Exactly the same as today
c) Less than today
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer
Q4 Do you think that the following statement is true or false? “Buying a single company stock usually provides a safer return than a stock mutual fund.”
a) True
b) False
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer
The “Big Three” financial literacy questions were created by Professors Annamaria Lusardi of the George Washington School of Business and Olivia Mitchell, of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Answers: Q1 More than $102 (compound interest). Q2 Less than today (inflation). Q3 False (diversification).
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AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EZack%20Snyder%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESofia%20Boutella%2C%20Djimon%20Hounsou%2C%20Ed%20Skrein%2C%20Michiel%20Huisman%2C%20Charlie%20Hunnam%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
