The future of Gaza
What is with the aggressive posture of Israel (‘A ballgame with human lives’ Gulf News, July 6)? Their denial of recognising Palestine as an independent state seems to be taking the world directly to the mouth of hell. As Tariq Al Maeena wrote, the brutality of a punitive Israel is lavished on the hapless Palestinians. The US and other powers appear to be playing a different ballgame, indeed. The innocent people of the Gaza strip are being fiercely targeted by the aggressive Israel.
And as Tariq rightly wrote, there appears to be no referee to restrain the Israeli aggression. The United Nations (UN) has a heavy responsibility in containing the sorry happenings in the Gaza strip. As in other cases, the UN has miserably failed to introduce any new norms to contain the Israeli atrocities against the Palestinians.
The plight of the Palestinians, languishing in the prisons of Israel, is that they are being treated with contempt and are being subjected to indignities with disturbing regularity. And all this is done by the ‘chosen’ people of the chosen, promised land! It is a pity that the world’s nations are not taking any serious action on the issue and lending a helping hand to solve the issue, or containing the bloodbath by aggressive Israel, which seems to be throwing to the wind all human rights.
The civilian populace of the Gaza strip should be saved at any cost from the heartless brutalities of Israel.
By Mr Thomas Matthew
Kerala, India
Another successful model
We appreciate His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai for his vision, and thinking of the future so well (‘Mall of the World to strengthen Dubai’s tourism and retail position,’ Gulf News, July 7). This city will be made into a city of landmarks.
From Mr Madan Rao
Muscat, Oman
For long-lasting memories
It’s Dubai and so, surely, the authorities will make everything happen. It’s a beautiful city where smiles will be seen everywhere. Anyone who comes to Dubai will be much happier to carry back memories that will never be forgotten.
From Ms Desouza
Qatar
Website comment
So proud
Another mega project for Dubai with windows of opportunity for everyone. It is all because of the monumental vision of the leaders. Without a doubt, Dubai is truly the best city in the world.
I’m just a regular employee here, nothing fancy. Just by thinking and realising that I work and stay here, it makes me so thankful and so proud!
From Mr R. P. G.
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Most incredible project
What now awaits us is something nearing the most incredible and remarkable projects ever in the country. Everything in the plan seems so well defined and fabulous, like a dream being shaped into reality. Welcome to the future everyone and good luck Dubai. May God keep us blessed all the way through.
From Mr Mohammad Omran Abdullah
Abu Dhabi
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Involvement with children
I don’t think there is anything wrong with having a housemaid as long as one can afford it (‘UAE: Are we ready for a ‘maid-less society’?,’ Gulf News, July 7). So, I hope that it never stops. That being said, parents should not have children if they don’t want to raise them. I am a local Emirati dad of two beautiful daughters, and I have a job and a business, but I take the time to feed, change diapers, play, bathe them, cook for them, and even read them bedtime stories, and help with their homework. Some people should think twice about being a parent, because we need quality children and not in numbers. Parents need to get involved today.
From Mr Omar Khan
Dubai
Website comment
A family member
We have treated our maid like a family member and she does the same with our children. The household chores are not at all an issue, we all fairly share it, but the lack of decent day care is the concern.
From Mr Rohit
Dubai
Website comment
Child supervision
To be honest, the most difficult part of having to part with our beloved maid will be the children. I trust that when they come home from school, an adult is home to receive them. With children under the age of ten, working parents and school finishing at 3pm, we can’t leave our children home alone. As long as we do not have a support system to care for our children after school, we will be, desperately, needing a maid.
As for chores, families can adjust and men will have to participate. I don’t see chores and cooking as the main problem, I see unsupervised children as an issue. Until my children are at an age of being home alone, I will rely on a nanny to be home with them, making sure they are safe.
From Ms Soh
Abu Dhabi
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Capable of humanity
I think any human can do honourable work like this (‘Dubai cleaner returns lost bag containing Dh100,000,’ Gulf News, July 7). We are all humans, no matter where we live. It is a good example for all of us that people should have to adopt such practices. We are all one nation.
From Mr Jawad Ahmad
Karachi, Pakistan
Facebook comment
Praise this woman
We need to have a heart and praise the woman who did this simple human deed of not taking what does not belong to you. Doing simple human deeds is not always so simple nowadays.
From Mr Shafi Shaikh
Mumbai
Facebook comment
Acts of kindness
We are capable of acts of kindness. When we stand up for someone else on the Metro and buses, and it is irrespective of their age, colour or nationality. It’s because of the culture that we follow. It’s not mandatory for us, nobody sees the realities but we all tend to scrutinise when there is a wrong done.
From Mr Ameen P. A. Kalanad
UAE
Facebook comment
Believer in God
I am a Hindu and fast like Muslims do (‘Meet UAE’s non-Muslims who embrace fasting,’ Gulf News, July 6). Most important is to follow the specifications in our behaviour towards mankind, not only during Ramadan, but throughout life. God is the most beneficent and the most merciful.
From Mr Binoy Jayadevan
Abu Dhabi
Facebook comment
For many years
I have been fasting since 2000. It feels good and also the support around you of the community, on other days. I know I can stay without food and water for long hours.
From Mr R. T. Jayapal
Dubai
Website comment
Good wishes
Let us extend our good wishes to our non-Muslim friends for their solidarity and cooperation.
From Ms Khuma
Islamabad, Pakistan
Facebook comment
Anyone can follow
Ramadan fasting is good for your health. It is based on reality and not on any dogmatism. So, anyone can follow it for his own good.
From Ms Anjan
Sharjah
Website comment
First time
My wife and I are fasting. I think it’s common here since I have seen many non-Muslims fasting during Ramadan. For us, it’s our first time experiencing it and to make it more beautiful, we decided to be vegetarian throughout the month. We wish all the people good health and peace during this holy month.
From Mr Venu Prasad
Dubai
Unity among religions
This is a good sign for unity among faiths and respect for each other’s culture and traditions.
From Mr Mohammad Ashraff Nazim
Dubai
Website comment
Traditional wisdom
At a macro level, spending is good as long as there is a manufacturing sector in the country in question and the spending comes from their own sources. If the spending is funded by loans or credit cards and the borrowing is beyond an individual’s capacity to repay, there are bound to be defaults that will balloon into bigger problems and result in big spending backfiring on the economy. At a micro level, that is at an individual level, indiscriminate spending could affect a person’s personal finance in the long run. So, it is back to traditional wisdom: spend on essentials, do not splash out on non-essentials, and savings are as important as spending.
From Mr Seddiqi
UAE
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