As the UAE turns 50, Sheikha Fatima, the Mother of the Nation, has much to be proud of.
She fondly recalls the journey of Emirati women – of all her “daughters” – over the past five decades. She has borne witness to their many achievements that came about with hard work and determination, backed by a leader who fought for women’s empowerment.
In an exclusive interview with The National, Sheikha Fatima, who is the Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, said it had not been an easy journey but it was worth it as she now sees her country’s women leading in all fields.
“I feel so proud as I witness what the daughters of the Emirates, my daughters, are achieving,” she said.
“When I look back at the past 50 years, I see a lot of things that fill me with pride.
I am proud of my country’s achievements as it embarks on its ambitions to conquer space and explore Mars and other planets
Sheikha Fatima,
Mother of the Nation
“How can I not feel proud to witness all the great achievements and transformations that the UAE has achieved in a relatively short time?
“How can I not feel proud and honoured to have been next to the late Founder Sheikh Zayed, may God rest his soul, in all that he did to turn his dream into reality?
“It was his dream to turn the vast desert into modern cities that people visit from all over the world and find stability, comfort, happiness, care, security, safety and tolerance. I feel proud and honoured for being his partner in making this dream come true.
“How can I not feel proud when I see our union standing tall to present a unique model of unity, solidarity and development day after day? I see the leaders of the Emirates follow Zayed’s approach and continue the march of progress and advancement.
“I am proud of my country’s achievements as it embarks on its ambitions to conquer space and explore Mars and other planets.”
The wife of the Founding Father said she and the country owe it to him and his policies that put the UAE on the global map.
And he will always remain in the hearts of the people.
“The late Sheikh Zayed is present in our hearts, souls and our daily actions. It was the values and principles he imbibed in us, and the legacy and approach he left for us,” Sheikha Fatima said.
Sheikha Fatima said women played an integral role in the development of the country long before the discovery of oil.
“Throughout centuries, women in the UAE have never shied from taking responsibility," she said.
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December 2, 1971: the UAE's first National Day - in pictures
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“Even before the establishment of the state and in the pre-oil emergence era, women were partners of men at work, whether in agriculture or cattle grazing, in addition to bearing the responsibility of raising children and taking care of family affairs.
“In the coastal areas, men went hunting and women ran the affairs of life in the society until men returned.”
But women took on more prominent roles after the UAE was formed in 1971. It was just two years later that Sheikha Fatima set up the country’s first association for women.
“My council was located in Qasr Al Bahr. Every Saturday and Tuesday, I received women from the community to talk to them, learn about their needs, difficulties and obstacles so that they and the society could develop,” she said.
“I then presented these issues and ideas to Sheikh Zayed. With the expansion of Abu Dhabi city and the increase in its population, the idea of establishing the first women’s association was born in the country.
“Sheikh Zayed welcomed this idea and soon the Al-Nahda Al-Dhabianiya Association was set up in February 1973.”
The association organised literacy classes for women, especially divorcees and widows, to help them read and write.
It taught them to become financially independent by making and selling handicrafts.
And Sheikh Zayed personally oversaw the progress of the association.
“He supervised the association’s work and launched activities and exhibitions there to encourage women and urge families to allow girls and women to frequently visit the association and benefit from the services it offered,” Sheikha Fatima said.
“His constant encouragement helped me to become the first wife of a president in the Gulf region to participate in women's work in her country and to make official visits outside the country.”
But that path to progress was not always easy, Sheikha Fatima said.
“We started from scratch and we faced many obstacles due to the social conditions that prevailed at the time.
“We had to deal with them with caution and wisdom to avoid a clash with the traditions and customs of society – an approach set by Sheikh Zayed that we still adhere to.
“Some may be surprised that we started women’s work with only four women.
“But with much patience and determination, we were able to attract a large number of girls and women to participate in the activities that we offered through the association.
“And in order to spread education and make it available to women without being restricted to a specific age group, we opened adult literacy classes which had a significant impact in reducing illiteracy among women.”
The old association developed and lead to the birth of The General Women's Union on August 27, 1975.
“Now, when I reflect on the national achievements of Emirati women and their clear fingerprints in various fields inside and outside the country, I feel proud of every daughter of this country, from all generations," she said.
“I’m proud of women pioneers who put in a lot of effort, had patience and persisted with determination and hope to overcome all the early difficulties to reach where we are today.
“The late Sheikh Zayed was the first supporter of women and I feel grateful and proud that his dream has been achieved.
“The daughters of the Emirates became ministers, doctors, engineers, diplomats, businesswomen, judges and state representative in world organisations and institutions and other fields in the modern era.”
Sheikha Fatima said a strong family bond remains as important as it was in pre-digital times.
She urged everyone to focus on relationships in a world dominated by social media.
“I would like to draw the attention of my children and grandchildren to the need of maintaining the vigour of human relations on the ground,” she said.
“I have noticed a decline in personal relationships and communication as people take to social media, which has become everyone's interest.
“Our heritage, customs and traditions are also still present in our lives, and we still adhere to the family bond we grew up with.”
Brave CF 27 fight card
Welterweight:
Abdoul Abdouraguimov (champion, FRA) v Jarrah Al Selawe (JOR)
Lightweight:
Anas Siraj Mounir (TUN) v Alex Martinez (CAN)
Welterweight:
Mzwandile Hlongwa (RSA) v Khamzat Chimaev (SWE)
Middleweight:
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Rustam Chsiev (RUS)
Mohammad Fakhreddine (LEB) v Christofer Silva (BRA)
Super lightweight:
Alex Nacfur (BRA) v Dwight Brooks (USA)
Bantamweight:
Jalal Al Daaja (JOR) v Tariq Ismail (CAN)
Chris Corton (PHI) v Zia Mashwani (PAK)
Featherweight:
Sulaiman (KUW) v Abdullatip (RUS)
Super lightweight:
Flavio Serafin (BRA) v Mohammad Al Katib (JOR)
Meydan racecard:
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (PA) Group 1 | US$75,000 (Dirt) | 2,200 metres
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas (TB) Listed | $250,000 (D) | 1,600m
7.40pm: Meydan Classic Trial (TB) Conditions | $100,000 (Turf) | 1,400m
8.15pm: Al Shindagha Sprint (TB) Group 3 | $200,000 (D) | 1,200m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (D) | 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,000m
10pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
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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SHAITTAN
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The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
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UAE v United States, T20 International Series
Both matches at ICC Academy, Dubai. Admission is free.
1st match: Friday, 2pm
2nd match: Saturday, 2pm
UAE squad: Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Rameez Shahzad, Amjad Gul, CP Rizwan, Mohammed Boota, Abdul Shakoor, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Sultan Ahmed, Zahoor Khan, Amir Hayat
USA squad: Saurabh Netravalkar (captain), Jaskaran Malhotra, Elmore Hutchinson, Aaron Jones, Nosthush Kenjige, Ali Khan, Jannisar Khan, Xavier Marshall, Monank Patel, Timil Patel, Roy Silva, Jessy Singh, Steven Taylor, Hayden Walsh
Poacher
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Company%C2%A0profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed
Based: Muscat
Launch year: 2018
Number of employees: 40
Sector: Online food delivery
Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
Aston martin DBX specs
Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 542bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Top speed: 291kph
Price: Dh848,000
On sale: Q2, 2020
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Tree of Hell
Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla
Director: Raed Zeno
Rating: 4/5
'Ashkal'
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England's lowest Test innings
- 45 v Australia in Sydney, January 28, 1887
- 46 v West Indies in Port of Spain, March 25, 1994
- 51 v West Indies in Kingston, February 4, 2009
- 52 v Australia at The Oval, August 14, 1948
- 53 v Australia at Lord's, July 16, 1888
- 58 v New Zealand in Auckland, March 22, 2018
Company%20profile
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The%20specs
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