Dubai hosts interfaith iftar for hundreds at Expo City

More than 1,000 people of different faiths gathered in Dubai for a special iftar meal at Al Wasl Plaza at Expo City Dubai on Sunday.

Faith leaders, Muslim scholars, Emirati officials and officials from diplomatic bodies in the UAE, also attended the event.

Dubai’s Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department organised the second annual ‘Dubai Iftar’ on Sunday, showcasing the city's spirit of religious tolerance and communal harmony.

Dr Hamad Al Shaibani, director general of IACAD, said the initiative was being held following last year’s successful iftar event which was attended by more than 500 people at Expo City Dubai.

“We decided to hold the group iftar on the second Sunday of every Ramadan. We are happy to host all the heads of various religions and people of different faiths at one table,” said Dr Al Shaibani.

“It will represent the principle of moderation, wisdom, rejection of racism, tolerance and acceptance of others.”

The event started after the firing of Dubai Police’s Ramadan cannon in front of Al Wasl Plaza.

Representatives of Sikh, Bohra, Hindu, Buddhist and Jewish faiths, as well as Coptic Church and the Jaafari Waqf heads attended the iftar reception.

“I’m in the UAE for 22 years. This country has a big message to the world on how people can live without discrimination," said Fr Marcos Estefanous of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Oud Metha.

"More than 200 nationalities living on this land with peace and love without problems.

“It is a pleasant day and a message to the world as all of us sit at one table having iftar meals. Despite our differences, we all love and accept each other unconditionally. We are all brothers in humanity.

“I’m happy to be here and was waiting for this gathering after the gathering last year.”

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INDIA SQUADS

India squad for third Test against Sri Lanka
Virat Kohli (capt), Murali Vijay, Lokesh Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Vijay Shankar

India squad for ODI series against Sri Lanka
Rohit Sharma (capt), Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Siddarth Kaul

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Essentials

The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Los Angeles, from Dh4,975 return, including taxes. The flight time is 16 hours. Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Aeromexico and Southwest all fly direct from Los Angeles to San Jose del Cabo from Dh1,243 return, including taxes. The flight time is two-and-a-half hours.

The trip
Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic’s eight-day Whales Wilderness itinerary costs from US$6,190 (Dh22,736) per person, twin share, including meals, accommodation and excursions, with departures in March and April 2018.

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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