Abu Dhabi will begin construction on 15 new mosques this month at a cost of Dh45 million.
The Department of Municipalities and Transport will build seven in Abu Dhabi city, five in Al Ain and three in the Al Dhafra region.
They will serve 6,334 worshippers when full and are expected to be completed by the end of the year.
An additional five mosques were completed in Abu Dhabi in Ramadan.
The mosques are a part of the city’s strategic development and will help the “comfort and well-being” of residents, said Hamad Al Mutawa, the executive director of operations at the department.
The General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments has designated locations taking into consideration current and future population distribution patterns and approved two designs.
The mosques will be largest in Abu Dhabi city, where they will span a total area of 17,392 square metres.
In Al Ain and Al Dhafra, the mosques will cover 15,247 square metres and 9,219 square metres respectively.
Each mosque will have a woman’s prayer room, indoor and outdoor ablution areas, and accommodation for a muezzin and imam.
In 2013, the Abu Dhabi Executive Council decreed that all new mosques should be built in traditional Emirati vernacular and that new mosques should have prayer areas for women.
Places of worship reopened across the Emirates on July 1, after closing in March to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Several restrictions remain in place to keep worshippers safe from the virus. These include physical distancing, mandatory mask and glove use and a 30 per cent capacity cap.
Mosques reopen in the UAE:
-

Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai reopened on June 30 amid strict precautionary measures. Chris Whiteoak / The National -

Worshippers kept a distance of at least three metres from one another. Most mosques in UAE reopened on June 30 after closing for more than three months because of Covid-19 restrictions.. Chris Whiteoak / The National -

A worshipper prays at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -

Midday prayers are performed at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai on Wednesday. Chris Whiteoak / The National -

Worshippers at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai kept a safe distance from one another. Chris Whiteoak / The National -

A worshipper prays at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai on Wednesday. Chris Whiteoak / The National -

A sanitisation system has been installed at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -

There are marking all around mosques to remind worshippers to follow safety guidelines. Chris Whiteoak / The National -

There are stickers around mosques to remind worshippers about the safety rules. Chris Whiteoak / The National -

Midday prayers were performed at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -

Dubai Municipality had undertaken an extensive disinfection programme in mosques before their reopening on Wednesday. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
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- Financial well-being incentives
The biog
Siblings: five brothers and one sister
Education: Bachelors in Political Science at the University of Minnesota
Interests: Swimming, tennis and the gym
Favourite place: UAE
Favourite packet food on the trip: pasta primavera
What he did to pass the time during the trip: listen to audio books
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The biog
Family: wife, four children, 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren
Reads: Newspapers, historical, religious books and biographies
Education: High school in Thatta, a city now in Pakistan
Regrets: Not completing college in Karachi when universities were shut down following protests by freedom fighters for the British to quit India
Happiness: Work on creative ideas, you will also need ideals to make people happy
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY PROFILE
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Scores
Rajasthan Royals 160-8 (20 ov)
Kolkata Knight Riders 163-3 (18.5 ov)
Winners
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Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)
Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
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Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
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Main card
Bantamweight 56.4kg: Mehdi Eljamari (MAR) beat Abrorbek Madiminbekov (UZB), Split points decision
Super heavyweight 94 kg: Adnan Mohammad (IRN) beat Mohammed Ajaraam (MAR), Split points decision
Lightweight 60kg: Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Faridoon Alik Zai (AFG), RSC round 3
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Taha Marrouni (MAR) beat Mahmood Amin (EGY), Unanimous points decision
Light welterweight 64.5kg: Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK) beat Nouredine Samir (UAE), Unanimous points decision
Light heavyweight 81.4kg: Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Haroun Baka (ALG), KO second round
DUNGEONS%20%26%20DRAGONS%3A%20HONOR%20AMONG%20THIEVES
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
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
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8. Pillar 2 implementation
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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
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A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
Ferrari
RESULTS
6.30pm Handicap (TB) US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner Golden Goal, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
7.05pm Dubai Racing Club Classic Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,410m
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8.50pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 (TB) $228,000 (D) 1,600m
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SUZUME
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
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West Indies v England ODI series:
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Fixtures:
1st ODI - February 20, Bridgetown
2nd ODI - February 22, Bridgetown
3rd ODI - February 25, St George's
4th ODI - February 27, St George's
5th ODI - March 2, Gros Islet
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