Ramadan is one of my favourite times of year – for the slower pace, opportunity to reflect and reconnect with your spirituality, and precious time spent with loved ones. Then there's all the wonderful food.
I've been vegan for more than a decade, so planning a plant-based Ramadan for me is almost second nature by now. Still, one of the things I love to do when this time of year rolls around is innovate and recreate vegan versions of classic Ramadan fare I grew up enjoying with my family.
Although I've spent the past four holy months away from family since moving to the UAE, it is usually one of the busiest times of the year. Taking after my mother, I absolutely love to host and cook for people, so my friends and colleagues are usually in for a few unforgettable feasts.
Last year, in light of the ongoing pandemic, however, we had to adapt and stay connected virtually, so long phone calls with my mum before iftar, asking her for notes on a specific recipe, became the norm.
This year, perhaps the biggest challenge, as it has been for many years, is longer fasting days with limited time to eat and replenish our energy in between. For this, my top tip is to think of breaking your fast as a marathon: slow and steady wins the race. Start your iftar with a warming soup and a light salad, then wait an hour or so before having your main meal (and then dessert, of course).
Here are my top four recipes for a full-course vegan feast.
Quinoa harira soup
Serves: four to six
A hearty and warming vegan rendition of Moroccan harira, full to the brim with chickpeas, lentils, vegetables and spices.
Ingredients
1½ tbsp coconut oil
1 large white onion, sliced
2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
3 stalks of celery, finely sliced
5 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tsp ground cumin
1½ tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp red chilli powder (to taste)
½ tsp grated fresh ginger
½ tsp saffron threads
2 tbsp tomato paste
4 large ripe tomatoes, roughly chopped
800ml vegetable stock or water
1½ cups cooked chickpeas
½ cup green lentils, uncooked
½ cup quinoa, uncooked
⅓ cup each of fresh coriander and parsley, finely chopped
Juice from half a lemon
Sea salt and black pepper to taste
Method
- Start by sauteeing the onion, carrots and celery in the coconut oil in a heavy-bottomed pot with a lid. Add a pinch of sea salt and cook on a low heat for five to 10 minutes until soft.
- Add in the garlic, spices and tomato paste, then turn up the heat and cook for three to five minutes more, until fragrant.
- Add the tomatoes, stock, chickpeas, lentils and quinoa and allow to simmer before turning down the heat and covering. Cook for 30 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding water as needed. The soup is done when the vegetables are cooked through and lentils are tender.
- Remove from heat then taste to adjust seasonings before stirring in the fresh herbs and lemon juice. Serve piping hot.
Vegan cheese samboosas
Makes: 15 to 20 samboosas
These crispy little pastry pockets stuffed with the meltiest homemade vegan cheese are my plant-based rendition of a Ramadan staple enjoyed by many across the Arab world.
Ingredients
For the cheese
½ cup of raw cashews (boiled for 10 mins)
3 tbsp of nutritional yeast
3 tbsp + 2 tsp of tapioca starch
¾ tsp sea salt
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1¼ cup of water
For the samboosa
1 packet of samosa pastry sheets
1 tbsp olive oil
½ cup water
Method
- Add all the cheese ingredients to a blender and blend on high until smooth.
- Pour the blended mixture into a small saucepan on a medium heat, then using a wooden spoon or spatula continuously stir while cooking. You will see small clumps start to form and at about the five-minute mark your mixture should turn into one big gooey mass of cheese. Cook for an additional 30 seconds to one minute to ensure everything is firmed up.
- Store in a jar and allow to cool in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before handling.
- To assemble, place a samosa pastry sheet vertically on a cutting board or plate and start by adding a light wash of water using a pastry brush – this helps the edges to stick together better (depending on how dry or moist your sheets are you may be able to skip this step).
- Add about one to two teaspoons of the cheese mixture to the far right corner, then, using the bottom right corner, fold the pastry over the filling in a triangle shape. Then take the top right corner of that triangle and fold horizontally, alternating the previous two steps until you have a triangle-shaped parcel. Seal the final flap.
- Continue until all samosa sheets are used up.
- Preheat oven to 200°C. Place the samboosas on a lined baking sheet and brush lightly with olive oil on each side. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until golden brown and crisp.
Cauliflower musakhan
Serves: two to four
Musakhan goes vegan with spicy sumac-infused cauliflower and chickpea bites drizzled with a heavenly yoghurt tahini sauce, topped with pomegranate and fresh parsley.
Ingredients
For the cauliflower musakhan
1 medium head of cauliflower, chopped into medium-sized florets (about 3-4 cups)
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp sumac
1 tsp of cumin
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup cooked chickpeas
3 tbsp pomegranate tendrils
¼ cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
Sea salt and black pepper to taste
For the tahini-yoghurt dressing
1 clove of garlic, crushed
2 tsp white or apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp tahini
¼ cup non-dairy yoghurt of your choice
1 tsp cumin powder
2 tbsp water (plus more as needed)
Sea salt and black pepper to taste
Method
For the cauliflower musakhan
- Preheat oven to 200°C.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cauliflower florets, onions, olive oil, sumac, cumin, cinnamon and salt and pepper. Mix well and ensure that the spices are evenly distributed.
- Transfer the mixture to a large baking dish and cover with foil, then bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and add in the chickpeas, using a spatula to mix in with the contents of the dish. Bake for an additional 10 to 12 minutes until the cauliflower is tender.
- Remove from the oven and assemble on a serving dish, drizzling the tahini-yoghurt sauce on top and scattering the pomegranate and parsley over it.
For the dressing
- Prepare the dressing by combining all the ingredients in a small mixing bowl.
- Whisk everything together until well combined, taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
Salted caramel date cake
Serves: six to eight
Naturally sweetened and bursting with moisture, this date cake is the perfect baked good to take to a potluck or even enjoy at home throughout the week as a guilt-free dessert.
Ingredients
For the cake
16 medium pitted dates (about ½ cup tightly packed)
¼ cup melted coconut oil
½ cup coconut sugar
½ tsp pure vanilla powder or 1 tsp liquid vanilla extract
¼ cup mashed banana
¾ cup almond milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Pinch of sea salt
¼ cup walnuts, roughly chopped
For the salted caramel sauce
1 can of full-cream coconut milk
½ cup coconut sugar
½ tsp pure vanilla powder or 1 tsp liquid vanilla extract
¼ tsp sea salt (or more as desired)
Toppings (optional)
Chopped walnuts or pecan nuts
Chocolate chips
Coconut chips
Method
For the cake
- Soak the dates in warm water for at least two to four hours to soften (if you have a high-speed blender, you can skip this step).
- Preheat your oven to 180°C and lightly grease 20-centimetre baking pan with some coconut oil or line with parchment paper.
- To a blender, add the dates, coconut oil, coconut sugar, vanilla, mashed banana and almond milk, and blend until smooth – the mixture should look like a thick caramel sauce. Transfer to a medium-sized bowl using a spatula to scrape the sides of the blender.
- In another medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and a pinch of salt, whisking together until well mixed.
- Add in the flour mixture to the wet mixture a little at a time, using a whisk to mix until everything is well incorporated and there are no large lumps – be careful not to over mix.
- Fold in your chopped walnuts using a small spatula.
- Transfer the mixture to your cake pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick or knife inserted into the middle comes out clean.
- Allow to cool before pouring on the sauce and toppings.
For the salted caramel sauce
- While the cake is baking, prepare your salted caramel sauce. To a medium pot, add in the coconut milk, coconut sugar, vanilla and sea salt, whisking well to combine.
- Bring to the boil, then lower the heat to amedium-low, allowing the mixture to simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, until thickened. Be sure to stir frequently and keep a close eye on it, to ensure it does not overflow, as it can boil over very easily.
More vegan recipes are available at onearabvegan.com
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
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
TCL INFO
Teams:
Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi
Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag
Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC
Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC
Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan
Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes
When December 14-17
Closing the loophole on sugary drinks
As The National reported last year, non-fizzy sugared drinks were not covered when the original tax was introduced in 2017. Sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, 20 grams of sugar per 500ml bottle.
The non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.
Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.
Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
Not taxed:
Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.
Mobile phone packages comparison
Essentials
The flights
Etihad (etihad.ae) and flydubai (flydubai.com) fly direct to Baku three times a week from Dh1,250 return, including taxes.
The stay
A seven-night “Fundamental Detox” programme at the Chenot Palace (chenotpalace.com/en) costs from €3,000 (Dh13,197) per person, including taxes, accommodation, 3 medical consultations, 2 nutritional consultations, a detox diet, a body composition analysis, a bio-energetic check-up, four Chenot bio-energetic treatments, six Chenot energetic massages, six hydro-aromatherapy treatments, six phyto-mud treatments, six hydro-jet treatments and access to the gym, indoor pool, sauna and steam room. Additional tests and treatments cost extra.
Profile of Tarabut Gateway
Founder: Abdulla Almoayed
Based: UAE
Founded: 2017
Number of employees: 35
Sector: FinTech
Raised: $13 million
Backers: Berlin-based venture capital company Target Global, Kingsway, CE Ventures, Entrée Capital, Zamil Investment Group, Global Ventures, Almoayed Technologies and Mad’a Investment.
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
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
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Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Company%20Profile
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Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.6-litre turbo
Transmission: six-speed automatic
Power: 165hp
Torque: 240Nm
Price: From Dh89,000 (Enjoy), Dh99,900 (Innovation)
On sale: Now
No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
