Letters: February 2, 2015

More losses than gains

The report is a comprehensive one touching on the fears and prospects of the UAE economy and its future (‘Will low oil prices lead to layoffs?), Gulf News, January 29). The employment opportunities of a nation is directly related to its economic viability. We can see an upbeat growth in the UAE in every sphere from logistics to civil aviation, especially in Dubai. Definitely there will be more openings in the run up to the Expo 2020, but the spending pattern of the Middle East, in particular the GCC countries, is directly related to the oil industry. The experts predicted the average oil price for the year 2015 to be $55 a barrel (Dh202).

If things are moving in this direction, there will be more layoffs than recruitment - and not necessarily in the oil industry. It will affect the civil aviation industry and logistics, which are two key catalysts of Dubai’s growth. The labour market already started paying the heavy price for the poor oil prices. The largest oil company, Shell, already restructured their employees’ salaries and other benefits besides dropping one of the largest oil projects in the world in the state of Qatar. The $6.5 billion (Dh23.9) proposed project could have generated 25,000 jobs in the near future. Imagine the positive impact that could have made in civil aviation and logistics in the region.

From Mr Girish R. Edathitta

Dubai

Be thankful

Clearly Muslims are strict on their food culture, which is why pork is something that they normally don’t want their food to be mixed with (‘Non-Muslim food-only cashiers at UAE supermarkets,’ Gulf News, January 29). We are lucky enough that non-Muslim foods are available here. This should not be viewed as a negative action in any way.

From Mr David F.

Dubai

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Lucky to have access

I agree with David F. I think we should be thankful they import these foods and that we can get them in the first place.

From Ms Patricia Cooksey

Abu Dhabi

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Understanding differences

If they have to make a separate counter, then I think they should. I am European, I chose to live here and we should follow the rules of the Dubai municipality. But, I would like to understand more. I respect what is said in this article.

From Mr Christophe Beauclair

Dubai

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Very considerate

I would like to thank the authorities for implementing such thoughtful rules. Yes, pork is a food for many and they should have the freedom to buy and consume it, but since I am a Muslim, I don’t want my food to be on the same cash counters. Many a times the fresh/frozen meats drip water, and I hesitate when I have to put my food on the counter. You just don’t know what that liquid was from. It could be milk, but we don’t know. Maybe we should have a vegetarian counter as well!

From Ms Sara

Abu Dhabi

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Take it farther

I think the policy should be expanded. We recognise that the cultural sensitivities surrounding the sale of pork and other non-halal products require the store segregation of such items. When we shop in supermarkets where non-halal products are offered, these items are placed in any available shopping cart or basket. This may also offend cultural sensitivities as ultimately all shopping carts and baskets will become cross contaminated by non-halal products.

I don’t think that segregation of these products only at the checkout is sufficient. To comply with the current legal framework, legislation should also include the requirement to provide segregated shopping carts and baskets. This may readily be implemented by having green (safe) and red (danger) carts and baskets for the respective halal and non-halal food that customers choose.

From Ms Helmut Aulgur

Dubai

More visible signage

I can respect this, although I think the signs should be more prominently displayed. I stood in line for a good 10 minutes the other day with pork, only to notice the sign as I got to the cashier!

From Ms Lynsay Critchley

Dubai

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Adhere to norms

Although this was a political meeting, the laws of the land should have been adhered to (‘Saudi Arabia ‘did not blur’ uncovered Michelle Obama on TV,’ Gulf News, January 29). It would have been good to have the First Lady of the US cover her head as per the norm across Saudi Arabia. Since she appeared without covering her hair, I think it was only fair to report the truth.

From Ms Fatima Suhail

Sharjah

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Bettering ourselves

We need to respect women. Michelle Obama should be able to decide what she wants to wear and what she wants to do. Every religion is for the betterment of mankind. Why forcefully implement things when we should let it be voluntary?

From Mr Raghu Reddy

Bengaluru, India

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Visioning women’s empowerment

This was an excellent article at the right time, as educated women can better shape society (‘Arab women shaping 21st century,’ Gulf News, January 28). Women are at the very foundation and heart of any healthy society that is prosperous morally, culturally and economically. The nature of any society can be immediately grasped by its treatment of women.

I find that often women’s empowerment is confused with problems of gender and individual appearances. Education for women is key to move away from misunderstandings and misconceptions that society is plagued with today.

Islam in its teachings have provided for the best guidance for women to be modest, but at the same time show their rights without any limits on education, knowledge or skills. Muslim women can be doctors, engineers, pilots, entrepreneurs, expert consultants in various fields and all be modest at the same time. She can be completely veiled and modest, by her own choice, and at the same time lead a delegation on international affairs. That is the kind of vision we need for Muslim women.

From Ms Sid

Abu Dhabi

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Many answers

Well, supernatural existence is not unknown, but it could have also been a case of someone telling lies, having hallucinations or someone else is playing with the sufferer’s mind (‘Pakistan cricketer Sohail shaken after ‘ghost’ encounter’, Gulf News, January 28). These points are the ones that are difficult to prove.

From Mr G. K.

Dubai

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Fever hallucinations

Ghosts don’t exist. This was most likely due to his high fever and body ache. Sometimes we feel that somebody is holding you down when we have body pain.

From Mr Masood

Dubai

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Have faith

The result may be due to high fever. Everyone might have had such an experience at least once. Belief in God will only strengthen you and your mind.

From Ms Maria Kutty

Dubai

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Traffic concerns

Sharjah is a modern city and it also has a modern problem: traffic jams. In the early mornings and again in the evening, around 8pm, the streets are crowded with cars, taxis and trucks. Sharjah’s traffic problems stem from several causes. The rapid economic growth of the emirate has enabled most residents to buy their own cars. This has put intense pressure on the road systems, which although it is highly developed, has not been able to keep up with the expansion in population.

These traffic problem result in the frustration and anger felt by road users. This can result in tension and accidents and, ironically, emergency vehicles may not even be able to reach the scene of such accidents. Another effect is the waste of time spent in traffic. This lowers productivity at work and contributes to reduced time at school and with family. There are also additional costs to the city in terms of air pollution and unnecessary fuel consumption. Shopping and daily errands become more of a chore and the city suffers.

Commuters and road users will need to cooperate with municipal authorities as they introduce measures to reduce congestion. However, Sharjah has shown its ability to rise to challenges in the past and most residents are confident that the city will still be an attractive place to live as the problem of traffic is addressed.

From Mr Ramsha Hamad

Sharjah

Trying to survive

The fuel crisis is one of many problems the people in Pakistan are facing - even with a civilian rule existing in the country. The challenges of the government are undoubtedly leading to instability across the nation, mainly due to the increasing threat of insurgency and heavy military spending to combat with anti-social elements across its border with neighbouring Afghanistan.

It has been proven that the civilian government has limitations in taking decisions in the interest of the public, as the army still has a strong say in several of its key issues. While national security is one of the critical areas that require a lot of attention, the continuing terrorist attacks are signalling that its initiatives have not been able to reach a consensus among the public.

Whatever peace process the country has initiated so far needs a definite backing of the general public. The recent Peshawar incident has proven that security has not been strong enough to safeguard the interests of the people who have ben continuously losing their confidence in the government they elected. Their very basic concern is one of mere survival.

From Mr Ramachandran Nair

Oman

Attacking easy targets

Today terrorism is top issue in every channel, but who decides it (‘Massive destruction in Kobani after Daesh exit’, Gulf News, January 29)? Topics and vocabulary like jihad, holy war and crusade are being used around the world, but how have these topics dominated issues so greatly?

The holy war means to struggle and fight evil - holy people fighting against evil. It first started to fight evil from our minds and hearts, then it evolved to fight others. In this holy war, the criminals fight and never kill any other criminal or bad person because it is not so easy. Instead of attacking evil places, they damage places of worship, which are easy targets.

Our faith teaches peace, but people are trying to stop this. They instead support the people who destroy places of worship, attack offices or kill journalists and innocent children. This should not be a reaction.

All peace lovers and believers of good faith must unite and spread awareness.

From Mr Mohammad Salim

Sharjah

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