People across the country visited mosques, relatives' houses or the beach yesterday to mark the arrival of Eid Al Adha.
Thousands of worshippers attended prayers at Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Mosque as early as 5.15am.
Groups of men stopped at corners to take pictures, while women bumped into their friends and exchanged greetings, with an Eid feeling clearly in the air.
The sounds of the takbeer flowed through the speakers as men chanted the traditional phrases preceding Eid prayers non-stop: "Allah the greatest, there is no God but Allah, Allah the greatest and to him we are thankful."
Among the worshippers was Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, prayed at the Grand Eid Prayer Grounds, according to the state news agency, Wam.
Two women appeared at the Sheikh Zayed Mosque with their daughters, aged 2 and 3, carrying colourful balloons.
"We wanted something to entertain the children as we pray," said Deena Abdullah, 28.
The Egyptian housewife felt Eid had really begun when she arrived at the mosque, heard the takbeer and saw the flocks of worshippers entering.
"It is a beautiful atmosphere," she said.
Even the children's fashion sense reflected Eid. Women pointed at young boys elegantly clothed in full national dress, while girls wore colourful outfits with hair accessories and small purses.
"I feel I'm in paradise," said Salima Allam, 28, a saleswoman from the Philippines. Miss Allam arrived with her five female relatives at 5.30am. They said the mosque was the biggest they had ever attended.
"I came to this mosque because I did not perform Haj yet. Even though I cannot afford to go to Mecca, I feel this is like Mecca for me," said her companion, Sarah Salili, 42, a Filipina maid. "That's why we wanted to experience coming here.
"We don't know what will happen tomorrow, so we want to experience it now."
In Ajman, Jumana Yousif, her family, sisters and brothers-in-law and their children were all set yesterday afternoon to head to Umm Al Qaiwain Beach.
"It's a wonderful occasion to get together as family and the weather is amazing for camping," she said, as children ran around her.
Two other families were visiting Dubai's beaches and parks.
Ibrahim Saleem said he, his wife and their two sons were driving to Dubai Beach to celebrate the festive occasion.
"There is no better time to go to the beach with your family than now," he said.
Wasan Al Ali, two of her husband's friends and their wives and children went to a Dubai park to celebrate Eid.
"It's time for children to play freely," she said.
The malls in Dubai had a festive look yesterday as they welcomed visitors and tourists. Some distributed balloons and featured parades and cultural programmes.
It was celebration time for several blue-collar workers enjoying their two days off for Eid.
"We are here to do some window shopping," said Rajesh Kumar, a driver at a Ras Al Khor company, who was at the Mall of the Emirates with some roommates.
"We took the Metro to get here and will spend a few hours walking around," he said.
Sunil Badran, a foreman, would have liked to have travelled home.
"It would have been great to see my family but it is too expensive to go for only four days," he said.
For others though, yesterday was business as usual.
"I have to be on duty during Eid," said a security officer at a mall, who asked not to be named. "I would have liked to spend the time at home. But I will get a lieu day later."
He was, however, looking forward to the special Eid meals arranged at his accommodation. Lt Abullah Al Mazyoud, the director of the Ports Police Station in Dubai, said additional officers had been deployed and extra patrols assigned to the emirate's beaches to ensure safety and security.
"They will monitor all kinds of violations, such as illegal use of bikes," he said.
He also noted that no accidents, mishaps or offences had been reported.
Abu Dhabi was similarly quiet, police said.
hdajani@thenational.ae
salamir@thenational.ae
* With additional reporting from Preeti Kannan
For our Eid photo gallery, go to www.thenational.ae/multimedia
RESULTS
Tottenham 1
Jan Vertonghen 13'
Norwich 1
Josip Drmic 78'
2-3 on penalties
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
Heavily-sugared soft drinks slip through the tax net
Some popular drinks with high levels of sugar and caffeine have slipped through the fizz drink tax loophole, as they are not carbonated or classed as an energy drink.
Arizona Iced Tea with lemon is one of those beverages, with one 240 millilitre serving offering up 23 grams of sugar - about six teaspoons.
A 680ml can of Arizona Iced Tea costs just Dh6.
Most sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, five teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml bottle.
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The distance learning plan
Spring break will be from March 8 - 19
Public school pupils will undergo distance learning from March 22 - April 2. School hours will be 8.30am to 1.30pm
Staff will be trained in distance learning programmes from March 15 - 19
Teaching hours will be 8am to 2pm during distance learning
Pupils will return to school for normal lessons from April 5
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EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
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Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Biog
Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara
He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada
Father of two sons, grandfather of six
Plays golf once a week
Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family
Walks for an hour every morning
Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India
2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business
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Results:
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Winner: Dasan Da, Saeed Al Mazrooei (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
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AIR
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