Abu Dhabi Police urged the public to report breaches of Covid-19 rules. Courtesy Abu Dhabi Police.
Abu Dhabi Police urged the public to report breaches of Covid-19 rules. Courtesy Abu Dhabi Police.
Abu Dhabi Police urged the public to report breaches of Covid-19 rules. Courtesy Abu Dhabi Police.
Abu Dhabi Police urged the public to report breaches of Covid-19 rules. Courtesy Abu Dhabi Police.

Health

Coronavirus: Abu Dhabi issues 39 fines for illegal gatherings since start of Ramadan

Penalties can reach Dh10,000 for organisers and Dh5,000 for each participant

Haneen Dajani
Haneen Dajani
UAE

April 25, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Abu Dhabi Police have issued 39 fines for illegal social gatherings since the beginning of Ramadan.

These were given for breaching Covid-19 rules which ban gatherings of more than 10 people, a police official said on Sunday.

Fines can reach Dh10,000 ($2,722) for organisers and Dh5,000 for each participant.

Police urged the public to follow coronavirus rules.

"Some Ramadan traditions and social norms have become very dangerous during the current pandemic,” a police official said.

“They contradict precautionary measures and regulations to curb the spread of Covid-19.”

Examples include “big family gatherings and iftar banquets that are held for a large number of relatives and friends”, said the official.

Police urge the public to report any breaches by calling 8002626; sending a text message to 2828; or by emailing the police's security service aman@adpolice.gov.ae.

Reports can also be made on the public prosecution smartphone app.

Typical Ramadan traditions – such as tents at hotels and communal iftars  – are not allowed this year, to curb the spread of Covid-19 as the vaccine programme continues its rollout.

The UAE has one of the world's fastest vaccination drives, with 10 million doses administered in just a few months.

Ramadan in the UAE - in pictures

  • People visit the Ramadan Reflection room at Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai. The room is filled with hanging lamps and mirrors. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    People visit the Ramadan Reflection room at Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai. The room is filled with hanging lamps and mirrors. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Men attend Friday prayers during the second Friday of Ramadan in Dubai. EPA
    Men attend Friday prayers during the second Friday of Ramadan in Dubai. EPA
  • Ramadan decoration at The Dubai Mall in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    Ramadan decoration at The Dubai Mall in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A Sri Lankan community group distributes 300 meals to workers at the Fakhruddin Camp in Sonapur, Dubai, with the help of Al Watani volunteers and the CDA. Antonie Robertson / The National
    A Sri Lankan community group distributes 300 meals to workers at the Fakhruddin Camp in Sonapur, Dubai, with the help of Al Watani volunteers and the CDA. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Masjid Rawda Al Abrar is seen with the Burj Khalifa in the distance just before sunset in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National.
    Masjid Rawda Al Abrar is seen with the Burj Khalifa in the distance just before sunset in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National.
  • The cannon firing in front of Qasr Al Hosn, in Abu Dhabi, marks the end of day's fasting. Victor Besa/The National
    The cannon firing in front of Qasr Al Hosn, in Abu Dhabi, marks the end of day's fasting. Victor Besa/The National
  • Customers buy delicacies hours before breaking their Ramadan fast in Dubai. Getty Images
    Customers buy delicacies hours before breaking their Ramadan fast in Dubai. Getty Images
  • An abra driver prepares an Iftar meal, in Dubai. Getty Images
    An abra driver prepares an Iftar meal, in Dubai. Getty Images
  • Ramadan decorations at Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Ramadan decorations at Ibn Battuta Mall in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • A minaret stands among the skyscrapers in Barsha Heights, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A minaret stands among the skyscrapers in Barsha Heights, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Flowers outside a mosque in Jumeirah, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Flowers outside a mosque in Jumeirah, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The crescent moon appears above the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque at Al Bahia, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    The crescent moon appears above the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque at Al Bahia, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Visitors look at a display of Ramadan lanterns in the main lobby of Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    Visitors look at a display of Ramadan lanterns in the main lobby of Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Ramadan decorations at Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
    Ramadan decorations at Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
  • Nancy Safy, an artist in Dubai and founder of To Infinity & Beyond, a business known for hand-painted art, gives a demonstration during iftar at Marriott Hotel Al Jaddaf. Pawan Singh / The National
    Nancy Safy, an artist in Dubai and founder of To Infinity & Beyond, a business known for hand-painted art, gives a demonstration during iftar at Marriott Hotel Al Jaddaf. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Men pray at Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai during Ramadan, a month-long celebration of self-purification and restraint. Getty
    Men pray at Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai during Ramadan, a month-long celebration of self-purification and restraint. Getty
  • People visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah on the second day of Ramadan, the month of fasting. AFP
    People visit the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah on the second day of Ramadan, the month of fasting. AFP
  • A man prays at Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai as Muslims across the world observe Ramadan. Getty
    A man prays at Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai as Muslims across the world observe Ramadan. Getty
  • A view of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, on the first evening of Ramadan. Victor Besa / The National
    A view of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, on the first evening of Ramadan. Victor Besa / The National
  • A view of the Omar Ali bin Haider Mosque in Deira, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
    A view of the Omar Ali bin Haider Mosque in Deira, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The interior of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah. AFP
    The interior of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah. AFP
  • Worshippers at Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai as the faithful mark Ramadan, a month-long celebration of self-purification and restraint. Getty
    Worshippers at Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai as the faithful mark Ramadan, a month-long celebration of self-purification and restraint. Getty
  • A worshipper at Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Getty Images
    A worshipper at Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Getty Images
  • Al Noor Mosque in Sharjah is lit up on the second day of Ramadan. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Al Noor Mosque in Sharjah is lit up on the second day of Ramadan. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Ramadan decorations on City Walk in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Ramadan decorations on City Walk in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Ramadan cannon at Al Majaz Waterfront in Sharjah signals the end of fasting. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Ramadan cannon at Al Majaz Waterfront in Sharjah signals the end of fasting. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Masjid Bani Hashim in Dubai after sunrise on the third day of Ramadan. The mosque was built as a replica of Palestine’s Dome of the Rock. Victor Besa / The National
    Masjid Bani Hashim in Dubai after sunrise on the third day of Ramadan. The mosque was built as a replica of Palestine’s Dome of the Rock. Victor Besa / The National
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Director: Kaouther Ben Hania

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How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
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  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
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  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
Countries recognising Palestine

France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra

 

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While you're here
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Cryptocurrency Investing  for Dummies – by Kiana Danial 

There are several primers for investing in cryptocurrencies available online, including e-books written by people whose credentials fall apart on the second page of your preferred search engine. 

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Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.

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Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.

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Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

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A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation. 

A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.

The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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The BIO

Favourite piece of music: Verdi’s Requiem. It’s awe-inspiring.

Biggest inspiration: My father, as I grew up in a house where music was constantly played on a wind-up gramophone. I had amazing music teachers in primary and secondary school who inspired me to take my music further. They encouraged me to take up music as a profession and I follow in their footsteps, encouraging others to do the same.

Favourite book: Ian McEwan’s Atonement – the ending alone knocked me for six.

Favourite holiday destination: Italy - music and opera is so much part of the life there. I love it.

Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction

Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.

Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.

What are the guidelines?

Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.

Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.

Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.

Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.

Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.

Source: American Paediatric Association
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