Opinions | Letters
January 6, 2009
Letters to the Editor - January 6, 2009
- Gulf News
- Published: 23:35 January 5, 2009
Rising respect
My respect for His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, continues to increase ("New Year celebrations in most parts of Arab world cancelled", Gulf News, December 31).
Recent cancellation of New Year celebrations in Dubai presented a strong, united stand and clear message from the country against the atrocities committed towards the Palestinians.
I think Dubai took a great step towards this. I cannot believe Israel is still getting away with such blatant aggression.
The world cannot be so naive to think they have any just cause to kill civilians who are already trapped within the borders.
May all be guided to find a way to deal with this issue in the best possible manner.
From Mr Yaseen S.
Dubai
Blind eye
The gesture by Dubai's authorities to cancel New Year celebrations displayed their solidarity with the plight of Gazans and exhibited the strong ties that the UAE shares with the people of Palestine.
If only the rest of the Western world had such sentiments! After the humanitarian crisis in Bosnia, I thought the world would not risk witnessing another political genocide.
Why is the West turning a blind eye to the suffering of the Palestinians?
From Mr Sulaiman Haslam
Berkshire, United Kingdom
Good step
The decision to cancel New Year celebrations was an extremely welcome one. It is definitely the least one could do in such a situation.
It seems the whole world is ignoring the atrocities committed by Israel against Gaza.
From Mr Risal Kamar Al Deen
Sharjah
Unbelievable
I still cannot come to terms with the situation in Gaza and could not bring myself to celebrate the New Year.
How can one indulge in celebrating a new year, when humans are being slaughtered elsewhere?
I would urge people around the world to forget nationalities, religions and issues with land ownership so that they could just focus on the humanitarian aspect.
How can we not be angry when children, women, men and elderly folk are being killed arbitrarily? And when will it stop?
From Ms Nagham D.
Abu Dhabi
Wise decision
After reading the Gulf News report about New Year celebrations being cancelled, I was pleased that the decision was made in support of our brothers and sisters in Palestine.
Even innocent children have been massacred without any real reason. I would like to thank Shaikh Mohammad for his wise decision.
From Mr Saami Fahad Khan
Dubai
Just one wish
If I had one wish for the New Year, it would be to eradicate all forms of terrorism from the world. The Gaza massacre and attacks in Mumbai were all too much to bear.
It is heartbreaking to see terrorists killing innocent people in such a heartless manner.
From Ms Akanksha Gupta
Dubai
Great sights
I seldom see mosques in Jebel Ali, where I stay. However, I am overwhelmingly happy every time I come across these great structures, as they promote the cultural and religious heritage of the country and the Muslim community, worldwide.
Although I am not a Muslim, I am fascinated when I happen to pass by mosques. I appreciate the authorities for manifesting their love of culture and religion in the form of such majestic structures, with beautiful designs.
These are common points of interest for many people, regardless of their race, gender or religion.
This is why I do not mind if I am stuck in traffic, as long as I am able to witness such lovely sights.
From Mr Leonides Gaetos
Dubai
Careless
As a 14-year-old, I cannot do much, but at least I am considerate of others ("Accident victim's body flown to Pakistan", Gulf News, December 31).
Faisal Javed Khan was just an innocent child, but he was killed due to a driver's sheer negligence recently.
The authorities have made driving regulations stricter by placing more radars on roads, but many motorists are still unable to control their erratic driving.
A great number of road accidents occur because of such carelessness.
From Ms Lintaa Sameen
Al Ain
Aces down
After the retirement of the three aces - Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne and Adam Gilchrist - the Australian team is on the decline and is struggling to regain their footing.
The continued failure of cricketers Matthew Hayden and Michael Hussey has added to their woes.
However, the main reason for their decline is the gag on their sledging, which unsettled even the best batsmen.
Additionally, the Indian team broke their winning streak in Kolkata in 2001 and then at Perth in 2008.
Now, the South Africans have put the brakes on the Australians' victory after 16 years. They are looking at tough times ahead.
From Mr N. Mahadevan
Dubai
No distinctions
I completely agree with the World Chess Federation - chess should be included in the Olympics ("Chess will soon be part of Olympics - Ilyumzhinov", Gulf News, December 4).
The players should agree with all the relevant rules. It is nice to see a game in which there are no distinctions in age.
From Mr Franklin Juarez
Chicago, USA
Facing problems
Well done Roads and Transport Authority ("RTA executives to come face-to-face with public in new campaign", Gulf News, January 4)!
This initiative would ensure that they have a better understanding of problems.
From Mr Greg Skulmoski
Abu Dhabi
A wise decision
The Ministry of Labour's decision regarding employee wages is excellent (“Inflation takes a mental toll on UAE expatriates'', Gulf News, September 15).
I hope the law will help every person who has not been paid for more than two months. Whether one's work has been completed or not, an employee's account should be accrued every month.
There is no justification for delaying an employee's salary. Moreover, dependants of the employees have to borrow money and that often affects the family budget.
From Mr Mohammad Shamsheer
Dubai
No crossing
I think educating people about the dangers of crossing highways and city roads would not be of much help ("Big rise in runover accidents", Gulf News, October 10).
A better solution would be to place strong fences between roads, so that pedestrians would not be able to cross busy highways.
From Mr P. C. Ummer
Abu Dhabi
Hurt pride
I am a proud Indian but some incidents mitigate my national pride and cast a pall of rational scepticism within (“Thackeray, Bachchan make amends, Gulf News, September 12).
Amitabh Bachchan had to apologise to enable the premiere of his film ‘Last Lear'. One of the Indian domestic carriers was threatened to squash its management.
It is quite ironic since such events were carried out for noble causes - nationalism and empathy.
Adding to the petty politicking in our glorious nation, somewhere a rhetoric head of state stops the elegant head of a respectable party from visiting the constituency.
Somewhere else, we had someone uprooting and driving away a great car-for-all proposition. However, we have managed to reach out to the moon.
I hope our economy will enjoy a firm ground in the future. All is not well in the light of a thinking citizen.
The hope of a dazzling nation is at stake, if we do not bring down our tolerance level.
From Ms Reuben Andrews
Dubai
Alternative solution
Authorities in Dubai want to reduce the numbers of cars on the road. For this reason, they are making the process of getting a driving license more and more difficult.
I think that instead of doing this, they could make the purchasing of cars difficult. This will reduce the number of vehicles on the road.
From Mr Nasser Usmani
Dubai
Too high
The rents for sharing accommodation have gone up drastically and bachelors do not have a decent place to live.
People are renting out rooms in their flats at prices that are higher than the rent they pay for the flat. Please let us know what the authorities could do.
From Mr Ashish Saluja
Abu Dhabi
Step by step
There should be enough flats which will be affordable for people with different incomes (“Crackdown aimed at overcrowded residences in Dubai, Gulf News, October 21).
After that is done, rules like this would be possible to implement.
From Mr Mohammad Shahin
Dubai
Other restrictions
The single-family villa policy has potentially worse health and safety threats for a large family of parents, children and grandchildren living in a small villa than a similar number of non-relatives living in a larger villa (“Crackdown aimed at overcrowded residences in Dubai, Gulf News, October 21).
If there are to be restrictions then let it be linked to the number of persons per area or something of the like.
From Mr Michael Smith
Dubai
Honoured
I was delighted when I heard the news of Chandraayan-1's successful launching at the space center in Sriharikotta (“Indian mission to the moon set for October 22 launch'', Gulf News, October 13).
It is certain that India will be the forerunner of many ambitious missions in the coming years once the gap between poor and rich is reduced and will become one of the major powers of the world.
This success shows India's scientific capabilities and it will increase enormously the confidence of the nation.
I heartily congratulate all scientists who were involved in this great success.
From Mr C. P. Raju
Dubai
I am glad
I was very happy to learn about the recycling of PET bottles ("Oman green group steps up effort to cut carbon footprint", Gulf News, October 13).
Personally I am trying to minimise the use of plastic in everyday life. I carry a reusable cloth or jute bag each time I visit a supermarket.
I hope more malls and supermarkets would encourage customers to bring in their own shopping bags.
This can be a small beginning for all of us to do our bit for planet Earth.
From Ms Shreyosi
Sharjah
Full name withheld by request
Information at hand
This act of indecency is not acceptable in any part of the globe (“Pilot arrested after failing breath test'', Gulf News, October 20).
I suggest that like recent cautionary signs at the malls, visitors should be handed a code of ethics leaflet at airports.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request
Where to go?
Although the authorities have a very valid reason, I still feel that there needs to a solution for people living in these villas (“Crackdown aimed at overcrowded residences in Dubai'', Gulf News, October 21).
Where do they expect all expatriates who cannot afford flats to stay? These are all people who contribute in building this country.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request
Shared concerns
In my opinion one of the main causes of traffic in Sharjah is the rent hike in Dubai. Nobody loves working in Dubai and staying in Sharjah.
They are forced to do so because of the rent hike in Dubai. If a slight change is made in rent costs in Dubai, no one would go through this daily hassle.
Also, this situation could be improved by providing accommodations in Dubai for people with a low income.
From Mr R. K. Chittada
Sharjah
Reliable taxis
A colleague of mine had booked a taxi at 5.15pm. He had a flight to catch at Sharjah airport.
By 7pm there was still no taxi to be seen and when he called the company again the response he got was that it didn't reflect in the system that he had ordered for a taxi.
Authorities should look into such issues as this is a very common occurrence here.
From Mr K. Ragavan
Ajman
Share this article
Popular in Opinions
-
Speak Your Mind
Focus: Halloween
Paranormal holds an insatiable appeal for our imagination, but do you believe in them
Opinion Editor's choice
-
Iraq in search of Plan B
Despite a close alliance with the US, the government in Baghdad has been unable to ensure national security
-
Dubai acts to boost trust in property sector
New judicial committee created to assist tenants who are facing financial difficulties
-
Recycling should be part of our routine
By simply sorting your waste, you are doing your bit to ensure a green future
