Many hikes
The rent hike has created fear in our hearts and minds (‘Sharp rent increases in the UAE can cause an imbalance in local economy,’ Gulf News, June 10). We don’t know the next number our landlord is going to throw at us. Rent, parking, visas, school fees and health cards all add up to near zero savings and sometimes leaving us in the negative. I’m really worried about the future and sometimes it’s very depressing when thinking about what might happen tomorrow.
From Mr Amir
Sharjah
Website comment
Common problem
In Sharjah, there doesn’t seem to be a law after three years. Rent is doubling and landlords are not ready to understand the problem. I request the authorities to intervene and help people to survive.
From Mr Murtaza
Dubai
Website comment
Affect other things
People are spending nearly to 50 per cent of their income on rent, which has drastically reduced the purchasing power of the people. Eventually, what will happen is that sales of other sectors will start dipping. So, I request the authorities to put a cap of around ten per cent.
From Mr Mostafa
Dubai
We love Dubai
We love Dubai and the UAE and that’s why we left our countries to come here, for a better life. The benefits are immense but there doesn’t seem to be any control on rent hikes.This is creating a problem, especially for the middle earners. When you try to negotiate, it comes down to a ‘take it or leave it’ mentality. To the authorities, please do something to protect the individuals.
From Mr Mulhat
Dubai
Tenants are golden eggs
Each emirate has to develop their own departments to avoid these increases. If people have felt the increase, they can register a complaint on this matter, but later on the building owner will try to get revenge and say they are going to renovate the flat and we have to shift from the flat. What I have to say is that, I think all landlords of each emirate have to show some human kindness to their tenants because they are the bread and butter for landlords. If you keep on reaping them, it means you are killing the duck laying golden eggs. I expect the authorities to take strict actions against the landlords that increase the rent, which doesn’t project in the market.
From Mr Robin
Sharjah
Full name withheld by request
Most awaited World Cup
The World Cup is one of the most awaited events in the world (‘Letters: June 11, 2014, Gulf News, June 10). It is the time when people who are not regular football fans are keen to watch the matches. However, this World Cup is the most awaited one ever. The reason being that it is in Brazil, the football giants. I agree with Mr Sebastian Tan in the Gulf News letters for June 11, that this is the most awaited championship. Even my mother who has been watching the World Cup, can remember the championship four years ago and the teams that are most likely to end up in the finals: Argentina and Brazil. Sebastian is not alone in his view that me and lots of other fans wish to see South America’s giants, both Brazil and Argentina in the finals. Wishing all fans a happy summer of World Cup!
From Ms Sarah Younus
Sharjah
Many favourite teams in 2014
My prediction for the World Cup is very difficult because there are four or five favourite teams and anyone can take the World Cup home. I think this time there are more chances for Brazil because they have very strong players and they have the edge of being on home turf with a home crowd.
I haven’t decided on any team since my country is not participating in this event. The success of Asian teams that create an upset in the game by winning against big teams would be nice to see.
In the first round, all the big teams are not playing against each other, but at quarter finals level, all the matches will be very interesting and worth seeing.
From Mr Ahmad Iftekhar
Sharjah
Brazil has a good chance
I believe that during the World Cup, the defending champions, Spain, will try their best to retain the title. However, they would have to face the World Cup specialists, Brazil along side, Germany, England, Portugal, France, and Argentina. Each of these teams has players who can change the complexion of the game within seconds.
The host, Brazil, holds five World Cup wins and will have the home advantage, which may work in their favour. It would be a huge celebration in Brazil if its national football team manages to play the final and win its sixth championship. Personally speaking, I support Germany, Portugal, England, Argentina, and Italy. Either one of them should reach the finals because of their team strength and rich football history. I am personally looking forward to watching the matches between Brazil versus Mexico, Spain versus Chile, Japan versus Greece, England versus Italy, Argentina versus Nigeria, and Germany versus Portugal.
From Mr Mohammad Omar Iftikhar
Pakistan
Not time to protest
This has reference to the report that many local groups are protesting against: the expenditure to host the World Cup in Brazil. The Sao Paulo Metro staff also started striking just days before the World Cup competition commenced in Brazil.
These protests are lamentable at this time. They will sully Brazil’s reputation as an excellent host for the most prestigious global football event. The Brazilians need to be putting on their best show. They are very warm and friendly people that are welcoming to foreigners.
Now, unfortunately, some groups are using the international media focus on the country to air their woes. Fighting against issues like inflation and lack of schools and buses are justified, but is this the time to air them in a manner that could impede the smooth operation of this coveted competition?
Brazilians love football as it is their joy and unifier. Why not let the beautiful game go on and later address domestic issues?
Brazil has won the World Cup five times. The whole world stops to watch Brazil play football. Therefore, my humble appeal to local protesting groups is, please let the games go on and do not dent Brazil’s image or prestige.
From Mr Rajendra K. Aneja
Dubai
Adapting to the situation
I recently travelled to Lahore and other parts of Punjab and I must say, it’s safe in this part of Pakistan (‘Pakistan expats avoiding travel home over terror fears,’ Gulf News, June 10). It’s only Karachi that has been targeted this way and it’s very sad. That said, Pakistanis have faced every situation that has come upon them and are fighting each and every day of their lives. There’s no getting away from this situation and the people of Karachi have adapted to this.
From Mr Rahman
Dubai
Website comment
Fearless and proud
A country that has fought war against terror for the past 10 years isn’t afraid of anything. We are a fearless nation. I have a flight in five days, and I am going. That’s my country and I’m proud of it!
From Ms Maha Xulfiqar
UAE
Facebook comment
Can’t stop us
Karachi still remains one of the busiest airports in Asia. Pakistanis are still flying back home and nothing is stopping us from visiting our homeland.
From Mr Zeeshan
Manama, Bahrain
Terrorism
Terror is everywhere but people seem to notice it more in Pakistan. We have no fear to go back to our country. Nothing could stop us from returning.
From Mr Abdul Samad Dawood Munyani
Dubai
Facebook comment
Think about families
We should think about the people living in Pakistan. We should face these types of situations and put some of our efforts towards helping residents because this is our country. We can’t close our eyes and think about only our own families. Hopefully, one day will come when the situation improves.
From Mr Syed Faisal Ali
Dubai
A negative impression
I am surprised to see this article. I am regularly going to Pakistan with my family and millions of our brothers and sisters are living there in Pakistan, leading normal lives without any fear. From Mr Mosawer Shah
Dubai
We love Pakistan
As Muslims, we don’t fear death as it will meet us wherever we are, not one second earlier or one second later. We have no fear because we love Pakistan and we go whenever we get a chance.
From Mr Kashif Kamal
UAE
Facebook comment
Strong and brave
This is such a funny news piece, which is far from reality. Pakistanis are strong and brave people with so much love for their country. Nothing can stop them from going back home anytime they want.
From Mr Owais
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
No cancellations
I was looking at flight statuses for those going to Karachi: there doesn’t seem to be anything cancelled. People travelled despite flight delays to Karachi. Many flights going to the city.
From Mr Jahangir Khan
UAE
Facebook comment
Worrying situation
The incident that happened at Karachi international airport, killing nearly 30 people, leads to an extremely worrying situation and also shows the extent of terrorism. Militancy has become a major threat for the existence of life for more than a decade. Regretfully, an effective corrective action is still to be established to stop the increasing violence.
The Karachi incident should be considered as a reminder for the importance of security in life.
From Mr Ramachandran Nair
Oman
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