SHARJAH // Emiratis have welcomed plans to dedicate a public square in Sharjah City to the heroes who have sacrificed their lives in service of their homeland.
On Monday, Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah, ordered that a square be dedicated in honour of the servicemen in response to a proposal made by Abu Dhabi Media employees Monzer Al Mazki and Mohammed Al Bayati via the Hotline programme, which was broadcast on Sharjah Radio and Television.
Mr Al Mazki and Mr Al Bayati proposed the building of a monument to honour the servicemen who have died since the country was founded on December 2, 1971, reported Al Ittihad, the Arabic-language sister paper of The National.
While exact details of the square are yet to be announced by the Sharjah Government, citizens living in the emirate said it would act as a record of Emirati bravery.
“It will be a symbol of the sacrifice that our brave soldiers did in the line of duty,” said Ali Al Hamadi, a 27-year-old government employee, adding it would show how the Emirati people have contributed to not only helping their own country but also their Arab brothers.
Dedicating a square would help to keep the memory of the heroes alive and would be popular with people as a place to show their children how Emiratis had laid down their lives for the UAE and to protect brotherly nations, said Amna Al Sewidi, a mother of three.
“Emiratis would take their children and grandchildren to learn of the bravery of Emirati soldiers,” she said.
Saaed Al Naqbi said he was thrilled at the idea of a square as a place to honour the country’s heroes.
“It’s for us, and for residents and tourists, to know that this country offered its own sons to help our Arab brothers,” said the 34-year-old.
“This would not be just for the martyrs but for their families as well, so that they know that this country would never forget what their sons have done for this country,” he added.
Seven Emiratis have lost their lives in the Saudi-led Operation Restoring Hope aimed at driving out Houthi rebels from Yemen and restoring to power the internationally recognised government of president Abdrabu Mansur Hadi.
In June, non-commissioned officer Hazim Obaid Al Ali, 40, died in Saudi Arabia during training exercises for the conflict. In July non-commissioned officer Saif Youssef Ahmed Al Falasi, 35, a father of five from Dubai, and Lt Abdul Aziz Sarhan Saleh Al Kaabi, from Al Ain, were killed on duty in Yemen.
This month, Juma Al Hammadi, Khalid Al Shehhi, and Fahim Al Habsi, all first corporals, were killed in Yemen and Cpl Abdul Rahman Al Baloushi was killed after the car he was travelling in overturned in Saudi Arabia.
tzriqat@theantional.ae
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
