Prayers have been held at Abu Dhabi's first Hindu temple to celebrate Sheikh Khalifa's legacy of “harmony and tolerance”.
Priests and worshippers joined together to honour the late leader and deliver support for the new President, Sheikh Mohamed.
Swami Brahmavihari, head of international relations for Baps Swaminarayan Sanstha, the organisation responsible for building the shrine, said it was important to reflect on Sheikh Khalifa's achievements while mourning his loss.
“His leadership inspired this nation to become a home of peace and prosperity and a beacon of harmony and tolerance,” he told worshippers.
“While we mourn the passing away of a great leader we also pay tribute to his great work, vision and values.
“His life and legacy shall continue to guide and inspire all of us. He nourished and nurtured the seeds that were sown by the founder of this nation Sheikh Zayed and the future leadership will continue to help it flourish across the world.”
The priest said Sheikh Khalifa had led by example to create a country that cherished “progress with peace, happiness with harmony, entrepreneurship with enlightenment and diversity with unity.”
He said the path of inclusion would continue under the leadership of Sheikh Mohamed.
“Such leaders never pass away, they pass on their values and vision,” he said.
“The President of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan will continue to inspire us all towards a brighter and greater future.”
Prayers have been offered at the temple site in Abu Dhabi and at Baps temples across the world.
The first traditional Hindu stone temple in the country will be completed in 2023 and is being constructed in Abu Dhabi’s Abu Mureikha area, off the Sheikh Zayed motorway leading to Dubai.
Land for the temple was given seven years ago to the Indian community by Sheikh Mohamed.
Priests from the Hindu temple joined heads of churches and mosques across the country to offer condolences to Sheikh Mohamed this week.
Prayers are being offered by the Hindu temple devotees in their homes during the week.
The temple is open for prayers from 10am to 5pm every Sunday.
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Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
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More on Quran memorisation:
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
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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)
