Ramadan triggers both excitement and trepidation among Muslims. Trepidation at the physical challenge of not eating and drinking during daylight hours – anywhere from 12 hours, in places near or on the equator, to 18 hours, where I am in London, and even longer, 21 hours, for people who live further north. And excitement because despite physical challenges, it is a joyous month, centred on congregation, togetherness and spiritual reflection.
Last year, when Ramadan began, we were all reeling. It was a strange time. The Covid-19 pandemic was spreading fast. Lockdowns around the world were just starting. And not everyone understood the severity of the virus or how to deal with having to stay put at home.
Suddenly the trepidation went into overdrive – how would we purchase supplies for iftar, what of the people who were sick, how would we cope being locked in together with nowhere to go, having to work and homeschool?
The usual solace and counterbalances to the physical challenges were gone, removing – at least to start with – the excitement. No iftars together, no Ramadan tents, no suhoor parties, no nightly meals with loved ones, no mosques in which to congregate – the traditions, the customs, the memories, nothing seemed to help us navigate this new terrain. For some, the loneliness was intense. This was not Ramadan as we knew it. But slowly a change started to occur.
Instead of Instagram-ready designer outfits and rushing from office to home for iftar, to the mosque, then for suhoor, people started to wonder: could we find the true meaning of Ramadan? The mood lifted and at least people I knew – friends, family, loved ones, colleagues – started drawing on Ramadan’s energy to find light in the darkness.
Iraqi men pray at the shrine of Abdel Kader Gilani in central Baghdad, during the month of Ramadan. AFP
A view of a 20-metre fanous (lantern) in Shoubra district, Cairo, Egypt, made by a Coptic man, in celebration of Ramadan. EPA
Men offer prayers outside a shrine in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir. EPA
A man shows his catch after fishing in the sea, during a Ramadan morning, in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. EPA
Colorful lights are strung above a cafe where Palestinians smoke water pipes in the Old City of Jerusalem, during the month of Ramadan. AP Photo
A volunteer from the Samen Sterk Vrouwen West foundation hands out a meal in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. EPA
A woman takes food for security forces to break their fast during Ramadan at the site of a passenger train accident near Banha, Qalyubia province, Egypt. AP
Muslims gather to break their fast on a street in Najaf, Iraq. Reuters
Jordanian imam Eyyas Hajibi reads the Quran inside a mosque in Amman, Jordan. Reuters
A pickle seller packs merchandise for a customer at his stall at the Souq Al Hout (Whale Market) district of Libya's eastern city of Benghazi during Ramadan. AFP
A view of the 99 Domes Mosque in Makassar, Indonesia, during Ramadan. AFP
Soldiers of the Afghan National Army pray after ending their fast in Herat, Afghanistan. EPA
Syrian refugees - Raed Mattar, 24, centre, his wife Ayesha Al Abed, 21, and daughters Rahaf, 6, Rayan, 18 months, and a friend - end their fast at a refugee camp in Tripoli, Lebanon. AP
Members of the Saudi security forces with parasols stand guard as worshippers pray around the Kaaba in Makkah. AFP
People shop at a market during Ramadan in Thailand's southern province of Narathiwat. AFP
A Palestinian boy rides past a giant traditional lantern known as fanous in Gaza city. AFP
A worker sprays disinfectant as people gather for noon prayers inside a mosque in the Yemeni city of Taez. AFP
Egyptian policeman Mohamed Nasser fires a Ramadan cannon, traditionally used to announce the time to break fast, in Cairo, Egypt. EPA
A man reads the Quran on his mobile phone during afternoon prayers at Abu Bakr Al Siddiq Mosque in Oman's capital, Muscat. EPA
Palestinians attend Friday prayers during Ramadan outside the Ibrahimi Mosque in the West Bank city of Hebron. EPA
Women at prayer in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Reuters
Iftar on the first evening of Ramadan in Istanbul's Sultanahmet Square, with the Blue Mosque in the background. AFP
Worshippers offer taraweeh prayers at a mosque in Johannesburg, South Africa. AP Photo
A girl at a prayer meeting at Wasimi Central Mosque in the Oyingbo district of Lagos, Nigeria. EPA
Worshippers perform taraweeh prayers while complying with physical-distancing rules at the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia. Bloomberg
A boy waits as Palestinian Walid Al Hattab, right, distributes soup to people in need during Ramadan in Gaza city. AFP
A volunteer prepares sweet drinks for devotees before they break their fast at the Jamia Mosque in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. AFP
People pray at the East London Mosque Muslim Centre, UK. AP Photo
Muslims pray on the street in front of a mosque in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Reuters
A cyclist passes the Great Koumassi Mosque in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. EPA
Instead of congregational prayers at the mosque, photos appeared of people forming lines of prayer, divided by their garden fences. Instead of communal Ramadan tents, neighbours pitched their own small tents in back gardens.
There were no more large iftar gatherings. Instead, mosques – like one London mosque – created lists of vulnerable people who were shielding and marshalled local restaurants to cook for them and convened an army of volunteers and drivers to deliver those fresh hot iftar meals every night for a month to the front doors of the people most at risk.
The lack of formality, the sense of 'keeping it real' and the experience of the patience and struggle remain with us
Zoom iftars became a thing. And one of the great joys was that those who had previously been unable to attend iftars due to disability, isolation or other challenges were included.
Community members took it upon themselves to prioritise mental health needs of their fellow citizens. The Muslim Youth Helpline in the UK launched a #HeroesInHeadphones campaign, highlighting how calls from young Muslims had increased during the pandemic.
One Muslim game developer hosted a virtual suhoor in Nintendo’s Animal Crossing. The Open Iftar project – that usually hosts large tents for anyone and everyone to experience iftar – went online and hosted large scale virtual iftars, along with a #MyOpenIftar pack with a toolkit to create beautiful iftar experiences of their own at home.
Elsewhere in the world, remarkable things were happening. Drive-through Eid celebrations took place in Oslo, Texas and Toronto. As cars queued up, volunteers in full protective kits handed gifts through car windows to children.
Washington’s Muslim community repurposed a car park for people to congregate for socially distanced prayers. Whether this fulfilled the specifics of the rituals of prayer is not the question. It was about how people found a way to be together safely and recreate the joy and community which are so central to Ramadan and Eid.
Devotees break their fast at Jama Masjid mosque on the first day of Ramadan, in New Delhi, India, April 14. AFP
In the German city of Wetzlar, local Muslims asked Ikea for permission to use their car park for Eid prayers, which the company allowed, bringing joy to many beyond the Muslim community. As one person on Twitter commented, tongue in cheek: “Big up Ikea. Even the mosques are DIY”.
This humour that emerged from dark times was part of the reinvention of Ramadan. Eid clothes for babies were emblazoned with “My first Cov-Eid” and “Cov-Eid Mubarak!” Organisers at mosques played on words to tell people to stay home rather than go for Eid prayers with hashtags like #QuarantEID.
With everyone at home during Ramadan, humour was also used to point out the struggle women usually face, bearing the lion’s share of housework and preparatory cooking. One tweet said: “No taraweeh this year, so we’re leaving the dishes for the men". There were cheeky complaints about not being able to visit grandparents to collect annual cash gifts or ‘eidi’ah. One person joked “Eid is literally my only source of income. How am I going to survive this year?"
The lack of formality, the virtual mingling, the sense of ‘keeping it real’ and the experience of the patience and struggle remain with us this year. While countries are now at different stages of dealing with the pandemic, the extra challenges, the compromised togetherness, the sense that the pretty pictures of food and the glamorous clothes and the Insta-ready iftar tables still feel irrelevant for the most part. It is as tough this year as it was in 2020, with fatigue and despair having built up over the last 12 months.
But we learnt last year and it still holds true: pandemic or no pandemic, there is immense joy and creativity to be found in Ramadan.
Shelina Janmohamed is an author and a culture columnist for The National
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Call the hotline on 0502955999 or send "thenational" to the following numbers:
2289 - Dh10
2252 - Dh50
6025 - Dh20
6027 - Dh100
6026 - Dh200
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.”
FIGHT CARD
Bantamweight Hamza Bougamza (MAR) v Jalal Al Daaja (JOR)
Catchweight 67kg Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR) v Fouad Mesdari (ALG)
Lighweight Abdullah Mohammed Ali (UAE) v Abdelhak Amhidra (MAR)
Catchweight 73kg Mostafa Ibrahim Radi (PAL) v Yazid Chouchane (ALG)
Middleweight Yousri Belgaroui (TUN) v Badreddine Diani (MAR)
Catchweight 78kg Rashed Dawood (UAE) v Adnan Bushashy (ALG)
Middleweight Sallaheddine Dekhissi (MAR) v Abdel Emam (EGY)
Catchweight 65kg Rachid Hazoume (MAR) v Yanis Ghemmouri (ALG)
Lighweight Mohammed Yahya (UAE) v Azouz Anwar (EGY)
Catchweight 79kg Omar Hussein (PAL) v Souhil Tahiri (ALG)
Middleweight Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Laid Zerhouni (ALG)
Investors: Palestine’s Ibtikar Fund, Abu Dhabi’s Gothams and angel investors
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.
The lowdown
Rating: 4/5
The 12 Syrian entities delisted by UK
Ministry of Interior Ministry of Defence General Intelligence Directorate Air Force Intelligence Agency Political Security Directorate Syrian National Security Bureau Military Intelligence Directorate Army Supply Bureau General Organisation of Radio and TV Al Watan newspaper Cham Press TV Sama TV
Amir Khan v Billy Dib - WBC International title
Hughie Fury v Samuel Peter - Heavyweight co-main event
Dave Penalosa v Lerato Dlamini - WBC Silver title
Prince Patel v Michell Banquiz - IBO World title
Six undercard bouts:
Michael Hennessy Jr v Abdul Julaidan Fatah
Amandeep Singh v Shakhobidin Zoirov
Zuhayr Al Qahtani v Farhad Hazratzada
Lolito Sonsona v Isack Junior
Rodrigo Caraballo v Sajid Abid
Ali Kiydin v Hemi Ahio
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
Know before you go
Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Pupils in Abu Dhabi are learning the importance of being active, eating well and leading a healthy lifestyle now and throughout adulthood, thanks to a newly launched programme 'Healthy Lifestyle'.
As part of the Healthy Lifestyle programme, specially trained coaches from City Football Schools, along with Healthpoint physicians have visited schools throughout Abu Dhabi to give fun and interactive lessons on working out regularly, making the right food choices, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated, just like their favourite footballers.
Organised by Manchester City FC and Healthpoint, Manchester City FC’s regional healthcare partner and part of Mubadala’s healthcare network, the ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ programme will visit 15 schools, meeting around 1,000 youngsters over the next five months.
Designed to give pupils all the information they need to improve their diet and fitness habits at home, at school and as they grow up, coaches from City Football Schools will work alongside teachers to lead the youngsters through a series of fun, creative and educational classes as well as activities, including playing football and other games.
Dr Mai Ahmed Al Jaber, head of public health at Healthpoint, said: “The programme has different aspects - diet, exercise, sleep and mental well-being. By having a focus on each of those and delivering information in a way that children can absorb easily it can help to address childhood obesity."
