Murals capture the spirit of Dubai's Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood

During the recent Sikka Art and Design Festival, visual artists, performers, musicians and designers came together at Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood for concerts, readings, screenings and to produce new murals in the cultural area’s famed narrow alleyways.

Eight artists from the UAE and the region created pieces during the event, which ended last month, inspired by the spirit of the district. These will be on display for at least six months.

'Al Fahidi Beauty Tree'

Emirati artist Saggaf Al Hashemi’s work is called Al Fahidi Beauty Tree and it represents his vision of peace, beauty and love. It is a three-dimensional artwork inspired by the theme of the festival, which was “celebrating art, celebrating growth”.

'Tree of Wisdom'

Malaysian-Chinese artist Gary Yong created a piece called Tree of Wisdom. It combines abstract and figurative styles, and focuses on wisdom as a human value. It reflects the artist’s perspective that a single thought or idea can grow and expand, to influence and inspire others.

'I-Live'

This mural, called I-Live, by Russian artist Evgenia Silvina and Belgian artist Grimm Van Gestel, imagines an alternate dimension. It features an “android character" who sets forth their own perceptions and realities into the world via energy. It encompasses images of nature, computer data and elements of Dubai life.

'Tech Naash'

Bahraini artist Mahmoud Al-Sharqawi, who is known by his stage name Huvil, made Tech Naash, a display that merges the worlds of heritage and technology through a traditional dance in a virtual urban world.

'Music Sounds Better with You'

Music Sounds Better with You, by Egyptian artist Perryhan El Ashmawi, who lives in Bahrain, explores the ideas of cultural spirit and contemporary innovations colliding. “Innovations in the fields of technology, experiences and modern trends have become an influential part in various aspects of life, from work, entertainment, communication and relationships, and with them, traditional ways of life are transformed to others that are more advanced,” El Ashmawi says. “My mural is in line with the festival's theme and Al Fahidi spirit – it explores the beauty that comes from mixing ancient and modern.”

'Sisterhood'

Sisterhood was created by French artists Anne Laure Romagny and Robin Chloe-Azaide, and aims to highlight women in couture wandering Al Fahidi. It combines ideas of tradition, culture, avant-garde fashion, street style and patterns in an explosion of colours.

A 20-metre mural

A mural created at at Expo 2020 Dubai’s Al Forsan Park and now on display at Al Seef until the end of Ramadan.

This 20-metre artwork is being displayed at Al Seef, and formed part of an extension of the Sikka Art and Design Festival. It was created originally at Expo 2020 Dubai’s Al Forsan Park, with participation from the New Zealand Pavilion, and will stay in Al Seef before being shipped back to New Zealand after Ramadan.

It was part of a street art activation presented by the pavilion’s Entertainment and Culture Sector, under the theme of Care for People and Place.

Birds of the UAE celebrated in Yas Island murals

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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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