Misconceptions about Emiratis
The common misconception is that all UAE nationals are wealthy and lead luxurious lifestyles. The Daily Mail published an article/photomontage on December 16 with an indication that students of the American University in Dubai are spoiled brats. I am a UAE national and I drive a 2007 model of a regular vehicle. Where is my photo?
It is true that the UAE has one of the highest income rates per person, but that doesn’t mean that we are all filthy rich. Many Emiratis choose not to seek charity and want to make it on their own. With reference to the Daily Mail article, let us make a few things clear. First of all, it is the American University ‘in’ Dubai and not ‘of’ Dubai, so we can all establish that just like the rest of their articles, the Daily Mail reporter did not do very good research.
The Huffington Post also decided to hop onto the bandwagon by posting the photos taken for the article with the headline, “Student Car Park at American University of Dubai Will Make You Sick”. The only thing that is ‘sick’ — is that title. This reeks of jealousy. You cannot determine that those cars belong to those students, it could belong to any rich relative and they choose to show it off. What’s the harm in that?
From Ms Sara Al Boom & Mr Behzad Sandila
Dubai
Balanced and informative
I just wanted to tell you what a pleasure it was to read Gulf News yesterday. I was at the Dubai airport for a couple of hours before I took my connecting flight. When I was on the flight, a fellow passenger saw me wondering about the newspaper to read. He pointed at Gulf News and said ‘try that one, it’s good’. So I did and I have to say that it was the most enjoyable and informative read. I thought Gulf News was very balanced in its reporting and covered most issues be it in the Middle East, like Syria, or in the world, like China. You hit the nail on the head. Well done and continue your objective reporting. In my opinion, some better known newspapers, certainly in the UK, are not as interesting or well written as yours.
From Mr Raymond Sancroft-Baker
United Kingdom
Blessed
As we celebrate Christmas this year, it is a tradition for us to count all the things we are blessed with and spread the gratitude to those who may not be as lucky as we are. After giving this concept some thought, I was really affected when I realised just how lucky I am to be living the life I have. Especially when I look at the plight of Syrian refugees, living in snowed-down camps with little if any amenities, I am thankful for having a stable, peaceful and safe life. The recently organised telethon for the Syrian refugees really helped me understand the plight of people living in camps in Turkey and Egypt. I think it becomes possible for us to not react to their suffering because we just don’t know the details of their experiences – out of sight, out of mind. For this, I would like to thank the television channels that continuously broadcast the telethon as well as newspapers like yours that help us stay aware of the human tragedy. I wish everyone a better year in 2014 and may these people be able to return to their countries in safety. Amen!
From Ms Gretchen H.
Ras Al Khaimah
Christmas celebrations
I’m writing this letter to wish all readers Merry Christmas. My family has just arrived in Dubai and I am very excited as I am celebrating Christmas with family after four long years. For me, Christmas is a day of joy and appreciation of what we have. We often take things for granted, but on this day we come to understand how blessed we are with the life that we have been given. I look forward to seeing what Santa has brought me.
From Sara O’Connell
Dubai
Missing home
I miss everything about Christmas in my home country. Waking up and finding the snow in the garden was a wonderful feeling. To add to it was the delicious smell of hot chocolate drifting into my room from the kitchen. After having moved to the UAE I don’t get all of that. However, I am really happy with the Christmas spirit seen in the country this year. Malls are decked up, stores have little reindeer decorations and even my office has put up a Christmas tree. Additionally, since my colleagues knew that I am missing home on this occasion, they surprised me with a magnificent dinner on Christmas Eve. I am truly blessed to have found such great friends and a home away from home in this country.
From Ms Tracy Joy
Dubai
The festivities begin
Wow, the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) is back (“Dubai Shopping Festival 2014: Balqees, Nancy Ajram and Zakir Hussain among top performers”, Gulf News, December 22)! The great shopping and entertainment extravaganza has always been an attraction for me as well as a million others. I have never missed out on a single DSF since the beginning. The gorgeous look that Dubai wears during the DSF soothes my eyes. I enjoy every aspect of the festival – the various stalls at the Global Village, the colourful carnivals, the crowds at the malls and other fun-filled activities. The East and West seem to come together during the festival. Additionally, with Dubai winning the World Expo2020 bid, DSF will surely be getting more attention from the rest of the world. I applaud the organisers.
From Mr Jahangir Kabir Bappi
Abu Dhabi
Rent issues
The ‘Rental Increase Calculator’ is a good option for tenants to understand the actual rent in the areas they live in (“Dubai Land Department facility to help residents check rent hikes during tenancy renewal”, Gulf News, December 23). Residents who are paying rent in Dubai are obviously the ones who are affected by the sudden increase in rent by the landlords without any reason. It has become common to see people moving homes to avoid exorbitant rents. I hope that the calculator will be a relief for them. Landlords want to increase the rents to capitalise on the existing demand for leased and rented houses in important areas in Dubai. The present arrangement by the Dubai authorities would be an eye-opener for all.
From Mr Ramesh Chandran
Sharjah
Rent hike decree
I welcome the move by the government to monitor the rents based on different areas (‘Mohammad issues decree on property rent caps in Dubai while renewing tenancy contracts,’ Gulf News, December 22).
I am writing this letter as a request to the concerned authorities to consider the following additional parameters while determining rent. I think the increase in rent should depend on how old the building is; whether or not the building has facilities like car parking, gym, steam, sauna, swimming pool and a 24-hour security system. Imagine there are two buildings in the same area; one is 10 years old and the other just a year old. Would it be wise to increase the same percentage of rent for both buildings? I think it would be unfair. If these above considerations are kept in mind, it will also force landlords to upgrade their building facilities.
From Ms Anjali R.
Dubai
United India
This is in reference to your editorial about how India united against the US in the Devyani Khobragade case (‘India throws right punches in diplomatic row with US,’ Gulf News, December 22). As your editorial mentioned there has been a rare show of national unity by the politicians and the bureaucracy on this issue. I am sure even the US did not expect such an aggressive reaction. If our country, its people and its politicians showed such unity all the time, India would be a different country today. It would be a globally respected country. I am sure that the US government has learnt a lesson from this episode that when it comes to the infringement of privileges and perks of the office enjoyed by the Indian officialdom, there is unity. The two centuries of British rule over India have ensured that the officials have adopted all the rotten things left behind by the British and have done away with all the good practices.
From Mr G.Sriniwasan
Dubai
Wrong role model
He is supposed to be the perfectionist, a social crusader, a brilliant star, an outstanding actor who does not endorse fairness creams and toothpastes just to increase his bank balance (‘Aamir Khan: Watch Dhoom 3 in your own budget,’ Gulf News, December 21). Yes, I am talking about Aamir Khan, my matinee idol. In a recent interview, Aamir Khan stated that he started smoking again because he was tense about his new movie, Dhoom 3. He has justified that he has taken up smoking since he is not able to manage his stress levels. Isn’t it ironical that the same star had highlighted the sensitive social issues prevalent in India such as female foeticides, child sexual abuse, dowry, medical malpractices etc. through his debut television show Satyameva Jayate sometime ago?
Aren’t we all familiar with the statutory warning that smoking is injurious to health?
Millions look up to these stars as their role models, particularly the teenagers who are often stressed with their education, peer group, expectations from their parents and teachers etc. Such a statement will only make them believe that smoking is a solution to their stress. Is there any profession without stress?
One has to learn other ways to manage stress rather than succumbing to unhealthy practices like smoking and drinking.
From Ms Radha Hari Dubai
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