This year’s Hajj is set to be unlike any other in living memory. Saudi Arabia announced last month that the annual pilgrimage will go ahead, but in a very limited capacity. No international travel will be allowed for the Hajj, so only 1,000 worshippers, all of whom must be residents of the kingdom, will be able to take part.
The limitations are crucial for pilgrims to be able to practice physical distancing and to stay safe. The kingdom has also announced an extensive set of precautions with the aim of keeping Hajj coronavirus-free.
These include mandatory facemasks for pilgrims and organisers alike, a ban on touching the Kaaba and staying at least one-and-a-half metres apart during mass prayers and other rituals such as Tawaf (circling the Kaaba seven times). Certain areas in Makkah will also be reserved for those with Hajj permits, in order to limit crowds gathering at holy sites.
Unfortunately, some have exploited the announcement of new safety measures as an opportunity to criticise Saudi authorities for imposing stringent measures, while others have falsely reported that Riyadh had cancelled Hajj altogether, "leading to disappointment". Had Saudi Arabia allowed for Hajj to resume as normal, it is entirely conceivable that these detractors would have criticised the kingdom all the same.
But when it comes to protecting the health and wellbeing of the faithful in today’s environment, policies must rely upon data and other information collected about the coronavirus, as well as recommendations by trusted global institutions. The World Health Organisation, which is the foremost international authority on public health issues, has backed Riyadh’s decision.
Saudi Arabia is home to Islam’s most sacred sites and its two holiest cities. This has endowed the kingdom with immense privilege, but also with great responsibility towards the Muslim world. Any decision that Riyadh takes in regards to pilgrimage and other religious affairs will often set an example for many other Muslim nations. For instance, Saudi Arabia’s decision to suspend all prayers in mosques mid-March was a difficult choice for the country’s population, but it has set a potentially life-saving example for other Muslim leaders to follow. Similarly, the decision to restrict the Hajj pilgrimage this year shows that the kingdom takes its responsibility towards worshippers very seriously, prioritising their health and safety over significant income generated by religious tourism, even as the world economy enters recession.
Any decision that Riyadh takes in regards to religious affairs will often set an example for other Muslim nations
For those lucky enough to be able to perform Hajj this year, the pilgrimage is set to be an even more unforgettable experience, as well as a symbol of resilience and caution during a difficult period. At a time when some have attempted to sow discord and spread false information about the coronavirus, pilgrims have an opportunity to show the world that it is possible to practise one’s religion while respecting public health measures. The upcoming Hajj pilgrimage will be a testament to the harmony between policy and faith, and will serve as proof that protecting one another is truly a virtue.
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Review: Tomb Raider
Dir: Roar Uthaug
Starring: Alicia Vikander, Dominic West, Daniel Wu, Walter Goggins
two stars
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
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The specs: 2019 Mini Cooper
Price, base: Dh141,740 (three-door) / Dh165,900 (five-door)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder (Cooper) / 2.0-litre four-cylinder (Cooper S)
Power: 136hp @ 4,500rpm (Cooper) / 192hp @ 5,000rpm (Cooper S)
Torque: 220Nm @ 1,480rpm (Cooper) / 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (Cooper S)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 4.8L to 5.4L / 100km
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
Match info
Uefa Champions League Group C
Liverpool v Napoli, midnight
Checks continue
A High Court judge issued an interim order on Friday suspending a decision by Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots to direct a stop to Brexit agri-food checks at Northern Ireland ports.
Mr Justice Colton said he was making the temporary direction until a judicial review of the minister's unilateral action this week to order a halt to port checks that are required under the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Civil servants have yet to implement the instruction, pending legal clarity on their obligations, and checks are continuing.
Reading List
Practitioners of mindful eating recommend the following books to get you started:
Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life by Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr Lilian Cheung
How to Eat by Thich Nhat Hanh
The Mindful Diet by Dr Ruth Wolever
Mindful Eating by Dr Jan Bays
How to Raise a Mindful Eaterby Maryann Jacobsen
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The specs: Hyundai Ionic Hybrid
Price, base: Dh117,000 (estimate)
Engine: 1.6L four-cylinder, with 1.56kWh battery
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power: 105hp (engine), plus 43.5hp (battery)
Torque: 147Nm (engine), plus 170Nm (battery)
Fuel economy, combined: 3.4L / 100km
