ABU DHABI // When Mohan Jashanmal came to the UAE in 1964, fresh water was being brought over from Bahrain in converted diesel drums. Today the businessman is the patriarch of one of the most prominent Indian families in the country.
It is a tale of hard-earned success, but one that Mr Jashanmal says is a sign of the UAE's tolerance at a time when sectarian strife is growing in some parts of the region.
"India is like my mother, but I have grown up here, earned my livelihood here, so this is like my father, and I have the greatest respect for my mother and father," he says.
Mr Jashanmal was honoured on Saturday at the majlis of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and an enthusiast for the country's ideals of inclusiveness.
Sheikh Nahyan spoke of equality as a value that is integral to the UAE and can be an example for others. "God created us equal," he said. "He created the human being, and he is honoured in all religions.
"He created the earth so all humans can live on it, develop themselves and help those in need, for all to live a good life, and for the human to help his brother the human being."
Human development has taken on a central role in the Government's strategy, he said. "The pillar of the Government's strategy is the human being, whether in terms of finding education, finding jobs, finding homes. It all revolves around serving the human being and raising the standard of living."
Sheikh Nahyan said it was necessary to provide security to people of all religions, values enshrined in the UAE through the late Sheikh Zayed, the founder of the nation, who believed that "religion is between the human and his God" and "the best of you is the one who is good to his brother".
Sheikh Nahyan inaugurated a new Coptic Orthodox church in Al Ain last month and condemned the bombing of a Christian church in the Egyptian city of Alexandria that killed 21 people and injured scores of others.
His comments come amid a rising tide of violence threatening minorities in the region, with al Qa'eda pledging to attack Christians. A recent conference of Muslim parliamentarians in the capital called for greater measures to protect Christians and condemned violence against minorities.
The cosmopolitan nature and openness of the UAE was always a conscious choice, said Abdullah al Azdi, a former foreign ministry official and a mutual friend of Mr Jashanmal and Sheikh Nahyan.
"The lower part of the Arabian peninsula is open-minded, we were never closed or discriminating," he said.
From decades ago and continuing today, anyone can go to the country's rulers and ask for an audience, he said, regardless of their nationality or religion. "The Arab countries must follow in the Gulf's footsteps, even though we should learn from them," he said.
Dr al Azdi said it was wrong that Lebanon, for instance, faced a momentous collapse because of sectarian conflict. "Religion should not be a tool or a game," he said.
"You have 200 nationalities here and no problems," Mr Jashanmal said. "It is an Islamic country, but not Islamic in the way of Saudi Arabia or Iran. That is what Islam is, extremely tolerant, calling the Almighty the All Merciful."
Mr Jashanmal said he was grateful that the UAE had given him "the opportunity to serve the country".
Though most expatriates see the country as a transient home, it will not close its doors if people want to settle.
He was among a contingent that came to the UAE before it was the prosperous oil-rich nation it now is.
"When we came here in 1964 there was no water or electricity," he said. "Anyone can come when prosperity is going on."
"If you happen to like it and want to make your home here people won't tell you 'no'," he said.
kshaheen@thenational.ae
Price, base / as tested From Dh173,775 (base model)
Engine 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo, AWD
Power 249hp at 5,500rpm
Torque 365Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Gearbox Nine-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined 7.9L/100km
Profile
Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
Sector of operation: Transport
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
Saudi Cup race day
Schedule in UAE time
5pm: Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Cup (Turf), 5.35pm: 1351 Cup (T), 6.10pm: Longines Turf Handicap (T), 6.45pm: Obaiya Arabian Classic for Purebred Arabians (Dirt), 7.30pm: Jockey Club Handicap (D), 8.10pm: Samba Saudi Derby (D), 8.50pm: Saudia Sprint (D), 9.40pm: Saudi Cup (D)
Meatless Days
Sara Suleri, with an introduction by Kamila Shamsie
Penguin
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
