Opinion | Letters
September 17, 2008
Letters To The Editor - September 17, 2008
- Gulf News
- Published: 23:52 September 16, 2008
Set up a cat farm
Who are we to make decisions about life and death? The population of rats and mice is probably increasing in the UAE, as is the number of stray cats on streets.
Instead of killing cats, a 'cat farm' should be set up. I urge more people to come forward and adopt cats as pets. Let's not kill animals, please.
From Ms Petra Mueller
Dubai
Re-examine words
Most shops in the UAE display signs on their doors, which read "now open". If anyone tries to enter a shop after seeing this sign, they would know that this is not always the case.
This board is displayed during break time or even when the stores are closed. I supposed the phrase "now open" is in a transition stage.
Someone needs to re-examine these words.
From Mr Sajeev P. Krishnan
Dubai
Increased numbers
This is in reference to Ms Rebecca Mathew's letter to Gulf News, wherein she requests the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to make provisions for a bus, exclusively for females.
One can agree that the number of women passengers has increased, especially during working hours.
The least the RTA can do is to allocate more seats for female passengers. The present number of seats is not enough.
I hope the RTA will consider this suggestion and do the needful.
From Ms P. Joseph J.
UAE
All in a day's bills
I had a very pleasant experience at the Al Ramoul branch of Empost, in Dubai, recently. I had withdrawn Dh10,000, with several Dh500 notes bulging out of my wallet.
As the first customer in line, I was in a hurry to pay off my bills. The staff assisting me at the counter was a young UAE national - very friendly and prompt.
In the latter part of the evening, I realised with shock that instead of Dh100, I had given Dh500 notes at the counter and paid an excess of Dh1,600!
I could do nothing at that point as the counter had closed by then.
Fearing that I had lost my money, I waited impatiently the whole night to go to the counter, the next morning.
When I reached the branch at 9am sharp, imagine my surprise, when without a word or question, the money was drawn separately from a drawer and returned with a smile by the same young man! It was unbelievable!
The young man has made his country proud with this simple act of honesty.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request
Calendar confusion
I refer to the Ramadan calendar issued by Gulf News on September 1, 2008, wherein the Islamic Calendar was said to be first introduced by Caliph Othman Bin Affan.
In reality it was his predecessor, Caliph Omar Bin Al Khattab, who had introduced the use of the Islamic Calendar during his caliphate.
For your information, Othman collated the Quran and had introduced the additional Adham for Friday prayers.
From Mr Ahmad Haji Hussain Omar
Abu Dhabi
Editor's note: There is much confusion about who introduced the Hijri calendar. The need for creating a calendar rose during the rule of Omar Bin Al Khattab. What followed was a lengthy debate and discussion, amongst the companions of the Prophet (PBUH), about the various elements to be included. However, the final version is credited to Othman Bin Affan who introduced its format, as we know it today.
Rejected
I went to the British Consulate recently to apply for a visa. Despite having made an appointment, I had to wait for two-and-a-half hours.
It was very difficult for me, as I am diabetic. I went to the counter with all the original documents, including my marriage certificate, which has not been returned.
I also presented my salary certificate, but they informed me that it was not required.
However, when I got a reply from the Consulate, they had rejected my application because there was no letter from my company.
From Mr Mahmoud Al Beloushi
Dubai
Simon Goldsmith, Political/Media Officer at the British Embassy, replies: We always welcome feedback from our customers and use this to learn lessons and ensure that we can enhance the service further. We strongly welcome all visitors to the UK be they tourists, businessmen or students.
This exchange of people is in all our interests. For reasons of customer confidentiality, we are unable to discuss individual visa cases. However, we are delighted that the number of those travelling to the UK has risen significantly in recent years.
In June 2007 we dealt with 11,115 applications, in June 2008 this climbed to 13, 863, an increase of 24 per cent year on year. We aim to offer a high quality and quick service and have taken on additional staff for the current busy summer months.
No place to stay
Cheaper accommodation is the main concern for bachelors. I run a company with 14 labourers. It is extremely hard to find a place for them.
Labour camps are very costly, since one room costs at least Dh5,000.
A subcontracting company like mine is not willing to house its employees in labour camps. Where do we go?
From Mr Francis Sebastian
UAE
Incredulous
The decision to place parking meters in a purely residential area such as Karama and hailing it, as the solution to parking woes is incredulous!
As it is there is not enough parking space. This would become even more difficult with the new addition in paid parking spaces.
No alternative parking system is available, either. I request the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to kindly devise a workable solution.
From Mr Chetan Gajria
Dubai
New signs
I thank the Roads and Transport Authority and Gulf News, with reference to my previous suggestion for placing display boards on the Sharjah-Dubai bypass road ("Behave better," Gulf News, September 7).
I noticed a new signboard, which directs people to Al Khawaneej.
From Mr Renganathan K. R.
Dubai
Mandatory
Why don't most businesses or shops around the world ask for a valid identification card, prior to approving the use of credit cards?
For safety measures, such verification should be made mandatory during all credit transactions.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request
No refunds
Jazeera Airways recently announced that the credit card holder must be a traveller on the ticket purchased.
However, problems arose due to the manner in which the rule was implemented.
The airline did not make this change transparent and many passengers had to forego their ticket amounts.
I have been trying to get a refund for my tickets for the past four months, and I have still not received it.
From Mr Deshpande S. R.
Dubai
Editor's note: The complaint was forwarded to Jazeera Airways for comments. However, despite repeated reminders, the management failed to respond.
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