It has become a kind of a tradition that whenever my friends’ children come over to my home, they get to pick out a book from my library. Then we spend time discovering it in a fun way, where I pick out passages and they react to them.
One time they were shocked to find out that Ibn Battuta was a person. “Wow, we thought it was just a cool mall,” said one of the youngsters. Until then, the only Ibn Battuta this group of youth had heard of was the mall in Dubai. They were fascinated by this 14th century traveller, and wanted to hear more about Arab explorers from the past.
The thing is, since all of them are Arab nationals, I try to use Arabic as much as I can. But it is difficult, as almost all of them only use fragments of spoken Arabic, have rarely written Arabic and mostly speak English.
“I hate it, I know it is part of our identity, but it is difficult and adults stress me out when I can’t speak it well,” said one of the teenagers, who has developed an aversion to Arabic from one of her teachers who always made her feel guilty for being an Arab who didn’t speak “proper” Arabic.
So I wasn’t surprised by the results of the latest Arab Youth Survey, which found that while young Arabs believe the Arabic language is central to their identity, many say it is losing its value as the use of English becomes more prevalent. Of 3,500 people aged 18 to 24 polled for this year’s survey, two-thirds say they are concerned about Arabic’s decline and more than a third use English more than Arabic.
One of the times we all sat and wrote our names in beautiful Arabic calligraphy and learnt about typography. Again and again, we hear about how we should make Arabic fun – and it is. Arabic literature is full of legends and stories, historic figures and heroes, as well as villains – something the boys always want to hear about.
So many families have children speaking three or four languages fluently, so there should be no fear of confusing or perfecting one or two. English will be learnt whether you want to or not, so focus on building the other languages whatever they may be.
It is hilarious when the parents barely speak proper English, but insist on using it when they could have a greater effect by speaking to their children in Arabic.
So many parents blame the schools and the teachers, who of course have a big role, but it is everyone’s responsibility to make sure a language stays alive.
We have to admit that while many can speak it, many can’t read or write Arabic. The different dialects are quite alive, with the classical Arabic falling to the side with mainly scholars, researchers, poets, writers and some Arabic newspapers using it. So it is not all gloom and doom. I find it paradoxical that western expatriates often want to learn Arabic and are far more fascinated with Arab history than many Arabs. Maybe we take our beautifully turbulent multifaceted heritage for granted and dislike being dissected like an exotic discovery.
One time, after a long day spent with families who kept complaining about the Arabic tutors and teachers yet haven’t spoken one word of Arabic to their children, I improvised by using Khalil Gibran’s “pity the nation” line, and said: “Pity the nation that can’t pronounce or remember the names of its Arabic heroes, but sure can name all the Italian, French and German designer brands fluently without hesitation.” It sounded better in Arabic.
Thankfully they all laughed and we all realised we need a good brush up on our Arabic.
The Arabic language is so deep and profound, with so many ways to say the word “love”. Instead, some people like to focus on the negative and are quick to put someone down for using wrong grammar or the wrong Arabic word. Help them love it, instead of hating it and turning away from it.
rghazal@thenational.ae
On Twitter: @Aranianmau
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 268hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: CVT auto
Fuel consumption: 9.5L/100km
On sale: now
Price: from Dh195,000
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.5-litre supercharged V6
Power: 416hp at 7,000rpm
Torque: 410Nm at 3,500rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Fuel consumption: 10.2 l/100km
Price: Dh375,000
On sale: now
AUSTRALIA SQUAD
Aaron Finch, Matt Renshaw, Brendan Doggett, Michael Neser, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (captain), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Jon Holland, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle
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Defenders: Ahmed Elmohamady, Ahmed Hegazi, Omar Gaber, Ali Gazal, Ayman Ahsraf, Mahmoud Hamdy, Baher Elmohamady, Ahmed Ayman Mansour, Mahmoud Alaa, Ahmed Abou-Elfotouh
Midfielders: Walid Soliman, Abdallah El Said, Mohamed Elneny, Tarek Hamed, Mahmoud “Trezeguet” Hassan, Amr Warda, Nabil Emad
Forwards: Ahmed Ali, Mohamed Salah, Marwan Mohsen, Ahmed "Kouka" Hassan.
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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
BLACKBERRY
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Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
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'The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window'
Director:Michael Lehmann
Stars:Kristen Bell
Rating: 1/5
About Okadoc
Date started: Okadoc, 2018
Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Healthcare
Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth
Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February
Investors: Undisclosed
