• Volunteers wear masks as they pack meals to be distributed for Iftar during the month of Ramadan at the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Virginia. The Islamic center had to handout meals to people as they drove by to help keep crowds down and keep volunteers safe because of the COVID-19 pandemic. AFP
    Volunteers wear masks as they pack meals to be distributed for Iftar during the month of Ramadan at the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Virginia. The Islamic center had to handout meals to people as they drove by to help keep crowds down and keep volunteers safe because of the COVID-19 pandemic. AFP
  • Halal food boxes are distributed to those in need during Ramadan in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Food banks around the nation have witnessed a surge in clients as millions of Americans have either lost jobs or seen a decline in income due to the continued closure of businesses and economic life because of the coronavirus pandemic. Getty
    Halal food boxes are distributed to those in need during Ramadan in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Food banks around the nation have witnessed a surge in clients as millions of Americans have either lost jobs or seen a decline in income due to the continued closure of businesses and economic life because of the coronavirus pandemic. Getty
  • Volunteers and security guards wear masks as they distribute meals for Iftar during the month of Ramadan at the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Virginia. The Islamic center had to handout meals to people as they drove by to help keep crowds down and keep volunteers safe because of the COVID-19 pandemic. AFP
    Volunteers and security guards wear masks as they distribute meals for Iftar during the month of Ramadan at the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Virginia. The Islamic center had to handout meals to people as they drove by to help keep crowds down and keep volunteers safe because of the COVID-19 pandemic. AFP
  • Yusuf Kamel, 2, pulls on his traditional kufi hat as his mother, Nadia Chaouch, reads to him as they wait to break the Ramadan daily fast with an iftar meal just after sunset in their home during the coronavirus outbreak in Seattle. The family, as with most Muslims during the ongoing pandemic, are celebrating the Ramadan month of fasting from sunrise to sunset, prayer and reflection from their home, rather than in community gatherings and mosques. AP
    Yusuf Kamel, 2, pulls on his traditional kufi hat as his mother, Nadia Chaouch, reads to him as they wait to break the Ramadan daily fast with an iftar meal just after sunset in their home during the coronavirus outbreak in Seattle. The family, as with most Muslims during the ongoing pandemic, are celebrating the Ramadan month of fasting from sunrise to sunset, prayer and reflection from their home, rather than in community gatherings and mosques. AP
  • A man buys food during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan amid a lockdown of the Punjab province due to the ongoing pandemic of the COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, in Lahore, Pakistan. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in Koran was during its last 10 nights. EPA
    A man buys food during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan amid a lockdown of the Punjab province due to the ongoing pandemic of the COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, in Lahore, Pakistan. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in Koran was during its last 10 nights. EPA
  • Muslims gather at a street to buy food for breaking fast during their holy month of Ramadan near the Jama Masjid mosque under a government-imposed nationwide lockdown as a preventive measure against the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in the old quarter of New Delhi. AFP
    Muslims gather at a street to buy food for breaking fast during their holy month of Ramadan near the Jama Masjid mosque under a government-imposed nationwide lockdown as a preventive measure against the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus in the old quarter of New Delhi. AFP
  • In this Tuesday, April 28, 2020, photo made through glass window, Muslim women attend a Ramadan evening prayer at a mosque in Lhokseumawe, in Indonesia’s Aceh province. Muslim leaders in the province that practices Shariah law are allowing mass prayers in mosques if certain health protocols are in place. AP
    In this Tuesday, April 28, 2020, photo made through glass window, Muslim women attend a Ramadan evening prayer at a mosque in Lhokseumawe, in Indonesia’s Aceh province. Muslim leaders in the province that practices Shariah law are allowing mass prayers in mosques if certain health protocols are in place. AP
  • A migrant worker prays during the holy month of Ramadan inside his dormitory, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Singapore. REUTERS
    A migrant worker prays during the holy month of Ramadan inside his dormitory, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Singapore. REUTERS
  • An online Ramadan bazaar trader wraps "Popiah" spring rolls at his home, during the movement control order due to the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Sungai Buloh, Malaysia. REUTERS
    An online Ramadan bazaar trader wraps "Popiah" spring rolls at his home, during the movement control order due to the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Sungai Buloh, Malaysia. REUTERS
  • A Thai Muslim family pray after breaking fast at the living room of their house as a food-delivery man rides past in Bangkok, Thailand. Most places of worship, including mosques remain closed to help curb the spread of the new coronavirus as Muslims across the world began marking the holy month of Ramadan under unprecedented coronavirus lockdowns. AP Photo
    A Thai Muslim family pray after breaking fast at the living room of their house as a food-delivery man rides past in Bangkok, Thailand. Most places of worship, including mosques remain closed to help curb the spread of the new coronavirus as Muslims across the world began marking the holy month of Ramadan under unprecedented coronavirus lockdowns. AP Photo
  • A notice advices the Lakemba mosque closer due to coronavirus hang on a fence on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan in Sydney. Authorities have continued lockdown that prevent group gatherings and prayers in mosques despite their success in curbing the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. AFP
    A notice advices the Lakemba mosque closer due to coronavirus hang on a fence on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan in Sydney. Authorities have continued lockdown that prevent group gatherings and prayers in mosques despite their success in curbing the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. AFP
  • An Algerian man wearing an Algerian national soccer team yersey walks next to an Arabic butcher shop in Arabic markets in Porte de Montreuil area in Paris, France. The majority of the residents around Porte de Montreuil area in Paris are Arab Muslims from North Africa. Adherents of Islam across France were unable to take part in the habitual collective prayers this year, as mosques have closed down due to the ongoing pandemic of the COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and engaging in sexual acts between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in the Koran occurred during its last 10 nights. EPA
    An Algerian man wearing an Algerian national soccer team yersey walks next to an Arabic butcher shop in Arabic markets in Porte de Montreuil area in Paris, France. The majority of the residents around Porte de Montreuil area in Paris are Arab Muslims from North Africa. Adherents of Islam across France were unable to take part in the habitual collective prayers this year, as mosques have closed down due to the ongoing pandemic of the COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and engaging in sexual acts between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in the Koran occurred during its last 10 nights. EPA

World

Ramadan around the world in photos: April 29

Images of an Islamic holy month like no other because of the coronavirus outbreak

The National

April 30, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Read more

The bio

His favourite book - 1984 by George Orwell

His favourite quote - 'If you think education is expensive, try ignorance' by Derek Bok, Former President of Harvard

Favourite place to travel to - Peloponnese, Southern Greece

Favourite movie - The Last Emperor

Favourite personality from history - Alexander the Great

Role Model - My father, Yiannis Davos

 

 

Company Profile

Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million

SRI LANKA SQUAD

Upul Tharanga (captain), Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella
Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Milinda Siriwardana
Chamara Kapugedara, Thisara Perera, Seekuge Prasanna
Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera
Vishwa Fernando, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay

Company profile

Name: Tharb

Started: December 2016

Founder: Eisa Alsubousi

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: Luxury leather goods

Initial investment: Dh150,000 from personal savings

 

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See also
The Sheikh Zayed Future Energy Prize

This year’s winners of the US$4 million Sheikh Zayed Future Energy Prize will be recognised and rewarded in Abu Dhabi on January 15 as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainable Week, which runs in the capital from January 13 to 20.

From solutions to life-changing technologies, the aim is to discover innovative breakthroughs to create a new and sustainable energy future.

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

The Gandhi Murder
  • 71 - Years since the death of MK Gandhi, also christened India's Father of the Nation
  • 34 - Nationalities featured in the film The Gandhi Murder
  • 7 - million dollars, the film's budget 
Ramadan 2026