Let’s solve the issue
Well said, we know the region much better than others do, and it is our duty to unite and try to solve the issue of extremism (‘Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed gets candid on Daesh, Iran and Middle East issues,’ Gulf News, November 28). It is not about religion, it is just terrorists using Islam as a weapon to fight, kill and destroying our religion. All the while, they are painting a bad image of Islam for others to interpret. It is really surprising and it seems that Islam is always targeted.
From Ms Layla
Sharjah
Full name withheld by request
Changing mindsets
Well done for taking a firm stance against extremism regionally and globally. In a modern era of openness and technology, it’s shocking to know that such ideological hatred towards ‘everybody else’ still exists. A lot of the hatred arises from a single spark due to the dissatisfaction and discrimination from those who are the so-called decision makers from foreign countries. Selflessness and humanitarianism to serve others irrespective of religion, denomination, race, colour or gender will only bring about a change in mindsets of those who believe hate and killing is the only answer.
From Mr Jaideep Khemani
Dubai
Let us use our balconies
Drying laundry has become a difficulty in Sharjah after the municipality started issuing fines even for placing laundry stands in the balcony (‘Fines for displaying laundry on balconies issued,’ Gulf News, November 24). It’s really unfortunate that despite having big balconies, we can’t use them for drying. Many of us have small children, and I find that drying laundry inside the house brings in infection and can make the children more susceptible to falling sick.
Now as the weather is becoming cooler, drying clothes is becoming all the more difficult. I am sure most residents in their houses do not have dryers and most of the buildings do not give dryers to the tenants. What is the option the municipality gives to its residents to dry the laundry?
We do understand the importance of beautification and as residents we do adhere to that, but we hope the municipality will allow us to keep the clothing stands based on the report and keeping in mind the problem residents face with this rule.
From Ms Prasanna
Sharjah
It’s not fair!
I can understand issuing fines for keeping the balcony as a storage room, but for drying clothes on a stand - it’s just not fair. Also, the two sides of a clothing stand are always below the balcony wall. I hope the Sharjah Municipality really looks into this issue.
From Ms Reny Varughese
Dubai
Website comment
Drying clothes respectfully
The picture for the article represents the norm for balconies and the laundry is placed well below the balcony wall. I don’t think this poor man needs to be fined. If clothing is dried on the balcony in a decent way, I don’t think we should incur a fine.
From Mr Arun Bennis Loftus
Abu Dhabi
Website comment
Happy to hear it!
Hearing about local produce being on the rise is good news (‘Abu Dhabis local produce rises,’ Gulf News, November 23)! I guess Abu Dhabi residents can look forward to affordable vegetables and fruits unlike the past when residents were forced to purchase imports, which were cheaper compared to the locally grown crops.
From Mr M. Rodrigues
Abu Dhabi
Website comment
Is anything hack-proof?
Even though the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has found a loophole for CCTV camera hackers, I don’t believe that there is such a thing as ‘hack-proof’ (‘CID discovers loophole in CCTV cameras for hackers,’ Gulf News, November 23). Passwords alone can no longer provide security.
From Mr Mansour Mughal
Dubai
Website comment
Check settings options
I think everyone should check if there is an option to monitor cameras from outside. If the person who is configuring can also create this option, he can also create another username. So, I suggest that people check the settings after installing a camera.
From Mr Anish
Dubai
Website comment
Capital punishment
According to a news item, a Turkish man convicted of drug trafficking was executed in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh (‘Saudi Arabia beheads Turk for drug trafficking,’ Gulf News, November 22). There have been 70 people beheaded in Saudi Arabia this year, whereas 79 executions were made in 2013. Rape, murder, apostasy, drug trafficking and armed robbery are all punishable by death in the Kingdom.
The use of capital punishment in Saudi Arabia is based on Islamic law and it is noticed internationally. Though the public beheadings and other types of executions have attracted strong international criticism, there is no denying that capital punishment and severe laws are the most powerful methods to curb the crimes. The punishment should be used in other areas of the world, and I think it sets a precedent for criminals in particular, but also for the public in general. Crimes take place everywhere and every country is engaged in the fight against crime. The only difference is that some tackle the crimes rigorously and some handle the crimes according to their prevailing laws and constitutional repercussions. The difference is obvious.
From Mr Mumtaz Hussain
UAE
I don’t agree!
What is the use of Pakistan building nuclear weapons when the country is not capable of offering its people the basic necessities of life (‘Pakistan to have 200 nuclear weapons by 2020: US think tank,’ Gulf News, November 24)? Before anyone asks me, whether I think it is alright for India to build nuclear weapons, I don’t think it is. India with its enormous social economic problems cannot afford it and it should not invest in nuclear weapons at all. I don’t think either country should have it.
From Mr K. Rahman
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Website comment
Not a basic right
How anyone can conceive of nuclear proliferation as a basic right is absolutely beyond me. State development should be about everyone’s basic rights, not about having nuclear weapons anywhere on this planet!
From Mr Matt
Dubai
Website comment
Massive consequences
Nuclear weapons will destroy the world one day. Unlike the nuclear explosives that we saw hit Japan, these new weapons are so powerful that if they are released, they will contaminate the entire atmosphere of the Earth. It would affect the countries who are not at all related to any kind of war. So for the benefit of the human race, it’s better to dismantle all the nuclear weapons programmes!
From Mr Arun
India
Website comment
No point
If this article is true, then it is a shame. We have now millions who are dying due to poverty, illness, starvation and the youth unemployed due to no power generation and instead we are on a nuclear programme, when there will be nothing left to defend! What is the point of it?
From Mr Farooq
Dubai
Website comment
So quick!
There are also smart kiosks for car renewal processes, not just driving licences (‘Now renew your driving licence at smart kiosks,’ Gulf News, November 24). You just enter the details at the kiosk for your car renewal and it works! I used this method last time and to my surprise, there were loads of people sitting and waiting for their turn to get their car renewed. I got it done in two minutes and was on my way back to work. This is a really smart initiative and we need more awareness and education for people to use the kiosk more quickly and efficiently.
From Mr Faisan
Dubai
Website comment
People need to know
I had a very good experience while renewing my card in October, too! Usually one has to wait for two hours for their turn at the counter. I went at 8am in the morning and I took a token, which was number 80. As I preparing to wait with the other 79 people, I saw this kiosk and decided to give it a try. My card was in my hand in less than a minute. It wasn’t surprising that other people who were just waiting started queuing up at the kiosk to do the same. The authorities need to spread more awareness for these services and the benefits.
From Mr Amit
Dubai
Website comment
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