Etihad Credit Bureau, the UAE’s federal entity for credit information, has launched a new Tenant Screening solution that enables private landlords to securely request the credit score of prospective tenants through UAE PASS.

The new service allows tenants to maintain full control over their personal information, with data only shared after consent is granted via UAE PASS.

The initiative is aimed at strengthening transparency and trust in the UAE’s real estate sector while streamlining rental-related transactions, a WAM report said.

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The solution was initially announced and previewed during GITEX 2025 by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) and Digital Dubai before officially launching through the Etihad Bureau mobile app in April 2026.

The rollout marks a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between Etihad Credit Bureau, TDRA and Digital Dubai to deliver integrated digital services aligned with the UAE’s broader goals for digital transformation and zero bureaucracy.

Focus on transparency in real estate

The introduction of Tenant Screening expands Etihad Credit Bureau’s growing portfolio of digital financial solutions designed to improve confidence in transactions across sectors.

Alongside the new service, Etihad Bureau has also upgraded its existing Cheque Clearance Indicator feature using artificial intelligence. The AI-powered enhancement enables cheque recipients to scan cheques and assess the likelihood of clearance based on the issuer’s credit registry records.

Officials said the combined solutions are expected to improve trust and transparency across the UAE’s real estate ecosystem, particularly between landlords, tenants and financial institutions.

Marwan Ahmad Lutfi, director general of Etihad Credit Bureau, said the launch demonstrates the value of strategic collaboration between government entities and private sector stakeholders.

“Tenant Screening is an excellent example of the positive outcomes that result from close collaboration with our strategic partners in government and the private sector to deliver digital services that are practical, easy to use, and aligned with market needs,” Lutfi said.

“By integrating the sharing of trusted credit data through the well-established UAE PASS platform, along with enhancing cheque scanning with AI, we continue to boost transparency and confidence with new use cases in key sectors.”

UAE PASS expands digital role

Officials said the launch also highlights the growing role of UAE PASS as a national digital trust platform that extends beyond identity verification.

Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, director-general of Digital Dubai, described UAE PASS as a key pillar of the country’s digital infrastructure, enabling secure consent management and trusted data exchange.

“UAE PASS has evolved into a cornerstone of the UAE’s digital trust infrastructure, extending beyond digital identity to enable secure consent management and trusted data exchange,” Al Mansoori said.

“Our collaboration with Etihad Credit Bureau reflects a strategic step toward activating a responsible data economy, empowering individuals with control over their data while enabling its use to deliver more transparent, efficient, and user-centric services.”

He added that the integration demonstrates how unified digital infrastructure can support new service models while improving confidence in digital transactions.

“This integration demonstrates how unified digital infrastructure can unlock new service models that connect key sectors, enhance confidence in digital transactions, and reinforce a seamlessly integrated government ecosystem,” he said.

“It is particularly impactful in vital sectors such as real estate, where trust, speed, and transparency are essential.”

Supporting the UAE’s digital transformation goals

Eng. Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, Director-General of TDRA, said the initiative reflects the UAE’s ongoing efforts to integrate digital infrastructure with financial and credit services.

“This initiative reflects the critical role of integrating national digital infrastructure with financial and credit services to develop advanced digital solutions that drive transaction efficiency and strengthen trust and transparency in the real estate sector,” Al Mesmar said.

He noted that leveraging UAE PASS as a secure consent management platform aligns with the UAE’s vision of building an interconnected digital ecosystem that supports trusted data exchange and seamless digital services.

According to officials, Etihad Credit Bureau plans to further develop the Tenant Screening service in partnership with the real estate sector while introducing additional use cases powered by UAE PASS’s consent-based data-sharing capabilities.

The UAE Council for Fatwa on Sunday announced the sighting of the crescent moon marking the beginning of Dhul Hijjah for the year 1447 AH, officially confirming the dates for the Islamic month and the upcoming Eid Al Adha celebrations.

According to the council, tomorrow, Monday, May 18, 2026, will mark the first day of Dhul Hijjah, while Eid Al Adha will be observed on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, across the UAE, a WAM report said.

The announcement followed the review of moon-sighting results and observation reports submitted by specialists, experts and traditional moon-sighters across the UAE through an approved observatory network supervised by institutions and centres specialising in astronomy and space sciences.

Hajj pilgrimage dates announced

Saudi Arabia also confirmed the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent on Sunday evening, paving the way for the annual Hajj pilgrimage to begin.

According to an Arab News report, the Day of Arafat, considered the pinnacle of Hajj, will fall on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, one day before Eid Al Adha celebrations begin across the region.

Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam and is obligatory for Muslims who are physically and financially capable of undertaking the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime, reports said.

Oman confirms Eid Al Adha date

Meanwhile, Oman’s Main Committee for Moon-sighting also confirmed on Sunday that the crescent moon of Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH had been sighted.

The committee announced that Monday, May 18, 2026, will be the first day of Dhul Hijjah, while the Day of Arafah will be observed on Tuesday, May 26. Eid Al Adha will subsequently begin on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, according to local reports.

Authorities in Abu Dhabi on Sunday responded to a fire incident that broke out in an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant following a drone strike, according to the Abu Dhabi Media Office.

Officials confirmed that no injuries were reported and that there was no impact on radiological safety levels at the site.

“All precautionary measures have been taken, and further updates will be provided as they become available,” the Abu Dhabi Media Office said in a statement.

The Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) said the fire did not affect the safety of the plant or the readiness of its essential systems, adding that all units are continuing to operate as normal.

Authorities also urged the public to rely solely on official sources for information and to avoid spreading rumours or unverified reports.

The incident comes amid heightened regional tensions and renewed drone and missile attacks targeting the UAE earlier this month.

Located in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra Region, the Barakah plant is a cornerstone of the UAE’s energy diversification and net-zero strategy.

The facility generates approximately 40 terawatt hours of clean electricity annually, supplying around 25 per cent of the country’s electricity needs.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it was closely monitoring the situation and remained in constant contact with UAE authorities, adding that it stood ready to provide assistance if required.

Meanwhile, the UAE’s Ministry of Defence on Sunday said that its “air defence systems intercepted three UAVs that entered the country from the western border direction.”

Two of the UAVs were successfully intercepted, the ministry noted.

It added that an investigation is underway and that it “remains fully prepared and ready to address any threats and will firmly confront any attempts to undermine the country’s security.”

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As preparations intensify across the Islamic world for the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage and Eid Al Adha celebrations, several countries have begun announcing the start of Dhul Hijjah following crescent moon observations and astronomical calculations.

The developments come as religious authorities, astronomers and moon-sighting committees across the Middle East and North Africa closely monitor the skies to determine the beginning of the sacred month.

The International Astronomy Center said the crescent moon of Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH was photographed during daylight hours from Abu Dhabi by the Khatm Astronomical Observatory on Sunday morning. According to a statement posted on the center’s official X account, the image was captured at 9:20am UAE time, with the moon positioned 7.8 degrees away from the sun and approximately nine hours old.

The announcement added fresh momentum to moon-sighting activities taking place across the region ahead of Eid Al Adha, one of the most significant holidays in the Islamic calendar.

Tunisia first to officially announce Dhul Hijjah

Tunisia became the first country to officially declare the beginning of Dhul Hijjah, announcing that the holy month will begin on Monday, May 18, with Eid Al-Adha set to fall on Wednesday, May 27.

Turkey also confirmed Monday, May 18, as the first day of Dhul Hijjah. Unlike many Islamic nations that rely on physical crescent sightings, Turkey follows a pre-calculated lunar calendar based on astronomical computations.

According to the International Astronomy Center, Saturday, May 16, marked the 29th day of Dhul Qadah in both Tunisia and Turkey.

Meanwhile, most other Islamic countries, including Saudi Arabia, observed Sunday, May 17, as the 29th day of Dhul Qadah based on official moon-sighting announcements issued by religious authorities.

Saudi Arabia calls for crescent sighting

Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has officially called on Muslims across the kingdom to sight the crescent moon marking the beginning of Dhul Hijjah on the evening of Sunday, May 17.

In a statement issued Friday, the court urged anyone who spots the crescent moon, either with the naked eye or through binoculars, to report to the nearest court and formally register their testimony. The court also encouraged citizens to coordinate with nearby centers that assist moon-sighting committees.

The Saudi Gazette reported that the move follows Supreme Court ruling No. 206/H dated 29/10/1447H, which declared Saturday, April 18, as the completion of Shawwal and Sunday, April 19, as the beginning of Dhul Qadah.

Officials said Sunday, May 17, corresponds to the 29th of Dhul Qadah according to the court’s calendar determination, while the Umm Al Qura calendar calculations place it as the 30th day of the month.

The Supreme Court further encouraged experienced observers to participate in regional moon-sighting committees, emphasising the importance of contributing to a practice deeply connected to Islamic tradition and community observance.

The beginning of Dhul Hijjah determines not only the timing of the annual Hajj pilgrimage but also the dates for Eid Al Adha celebrations observed by millions of Muslims worldwide.

Emirates NBD has received all regulatory and governmental approvals, including clearance from the Indian government, for its acquisition of a majority stake in RBL Bank, paving the way for the completion of what it described as one of the most significant cross-border investments in India’s financial services sector.

The deal, first announced on October 18, 2025, involves an investment of approximately $3bn, or about INR268.5bn.

Emirates NBD said the transaction represents the largest equity fundraise in India’s banking sector and the acquisition of a majority interest in a profitable Indian bank by a foreign banking institution.

Under the agreement, Emirates NBD will subscribe to up to 959,045,636 fully paid equity shares in RBL Bank at 280 rupees per share through a preferential issue, representing approximately 60 per cent of RBL’s post-issue paid-up share capital.

Final shareholding is expected to range between 51 to 74 per cent

The lender said its final shareholding is expected to range between 51 per cent and 74 per cent, subject to applicable foreign ownership limits and the completion of a mandatory open offer process.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Emirates NBD, said: “Emirates NBD continues to accelerate development across our network and deepen our presence in high-potential regional markets such as India.

“The successful accomplishment of this milestone acquisition underscores the strategic and long-standing relationship with the country, mirroring the UAE’s own strategic and business cooperation. We look forward to expanding our presence in the nation and serving our customers by unlocking the next chapter of Emirates NBD’s growth and impact.”

The transaction also envisages the eventual amalgamation of Emirates NBD’s India branch operations in Mumbai, Chennai and Gurugram into RBL Bank, subject to additional regulatory approvals.

Upon completion, Emirates NBD will be classified as the promoter of RBL Bank, which will operate as a foreign bank subsidiary under the Reserve Bank of India framework.

Emirates NBD had total assets of Dhs1.2tn as of March 31, 2026, equivalent to approximately $327bn, and serves more than 10 million active customers across 13 countries.