People are suffering!
I feel genuinely sorry for the owners of units in Tamweel Tower who have had to endure endless delays since the fire (‘Dubai Tamweel Tower still in ashes two years on,’ Gulf News, November 17). The insurance company involved should take the lead in this matter to resolve the issue because at the end of the day, it is the individual owners who are suffering here! The reason for making insurance payments via service charges is precisely to cover this eventuality. Two years without any resolution is ridiculous.
From Mr Shabeer Bham
UK
Website comment
Shouldn’t take two years
It does not take two years to ensure that the paper work is in order. If they had demolished the building and rebuilt it, by now it should have probably been half done. It is high time that the authorities take an aggressive approach to root out such unpleasant issues.
From Ms Ash
Dubai
Website comment
Dragging their feet
I am really surprised by the comments given by the insurance company. Their intention to not settle claims or dragging it to an extent that the owners get really frustrated, is very clear. After two years since the incident and after the submission of claims, they are now asking for indemnity to be signed by each owner, which means they overrule the decision of Real Estate Regulatory Agency (Rera) who has given registration to the owners association of Tamweel Tower.
If this was an issue, why did they not highlight this in the past two years in order for the association to work out a way to resolve this timeless and thankless job they are doing to put the restoration of tower? This is the last thing they deserve. Moreover, in terms of variation of contract prices, why has the insurance not gotten involved in each and every step if they doubt any report or have an issue in the legitimacy of the contract?
In my view, they have overruled a decision of Rera as well as the Dubai Municipality by doubting the report submitted to them on the basis of which the Municipality has issued work permits. There should definitely be a timeline given to the insurance by the authorities to resolve the issue amicably at the earliest. We request the relevant authorities to come forward and take the ownership and responsibilities to bring the lives of the 160 families back to normal.
From Ms Sumita
Dubai
Website comment
Bring relief to victims!
Sadly, the burnt eyesore tower remains for all to see: the residents, the tourists and potential property investors. The tenants and owners are in dire financial straits and need help. The financially sound developers and insurers are washing their hands off any responsibility and go in circles with the residents who have been suffering for the past two years. Since property sales are booming and rents are increasing again, it is very easy to forget about these families who have been waiting in limbo for help that never came. Thank you Gulf News for trying to be the conscience that may yet bring relief to the financially burdened victims of this fire.
From Mr Louie Tedesco
Dubai
Website comment
Looking up to Gandhi
Prime Minister Modi’s talking points at the G20 summit in Australia seems to be the turning point in the political history of India and the world (‘G20 endorses India concerns about black money,’ Gulf News, November 17). I was greatly impressed by his speech in Brisbane. He rightly pointed out the two most important issues the world faces today: global warming and terrorism. He quoted the life of Mahatma Gandhi, who struggled not only for the freedom of India but also to encourage people to save water. Gandhi preferred to write on the back of used envelopes, as he believed that more use of paper would lead to more cutting of trees. He also took only required amounts of water in a glass. He would say to his followers that if he was thirsty, he would take more again. Gandhi always said that we have to end violence not only through actions, but also through words. The relevance of Gandhi’s ideas can be understood even today as we face the threat of global warming and terrorism.
If we follow the ideas of Gandhi, our efforts towards tackling global warming and terrorism may become easier. We are grateful to Modi for enlightening us by exemplifying Gandhi’s values.
From Mr Manav Jha
Dubai
Raising vital awareness
We have a truly concerned Indian Prime Minister in Narendra Modi. He has now raised the vital issues of terrorism and drug trafficking and its connection with black money. In a direct way he has requested the world nations to help India get the names of the people who have stashed the country’s money in foreign banks. Nudged by the Indian Prime Minister, the G20 in Brisbane called for plans to catch the tax cheats.
From Mr Thomas Matthew Parackel
Muvattupuzha, India
Rash decisions
This is really sad to see that people can be so insensitive towards feelings and relationships (‘Saudi Arabia bride divorced on wedding night,’ Gulf News, November 17). It is important that the engaged couple see each other before the whole wedding is set. Why did both families ignore this custom? Why did the couple not insist on seeing each other? The fault is on both sides, in my opinion. The parents often think they should decide everything and their children should just follow. This is what happens for raising children without giving them a chance to make decisions in life!
From Mr Abidha Bashir
Abu Dhabi
Website comment
Not the correct custom
The correct way is to see each other’s face before the marriage. That is the correct custom, which could have avoided this whole unfortunate situation.
From Mr Arif
Dubai
Website comment
Should have seen each other
The problem here basically lies not in the two individuals, but in the custom that the two marry without even seeing each other. None of this would have ever happened if they had seen each other before hand; it would have avoided much of this pain and disappointment.
From Mr Zaid
Sharjah
Website comment
Daesh causes outrage
I wish all the Press would stop calling this militant group as The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) (‘Daesh claims it has beheaded US hostage Peter Kassig,’ Gulf News, November 17). I’m not Muslim, but I live in a Muslim country and the people I know here who are Muslim are outraged by this whole thing. Muslims are kind, peaceful and lovely people. Can the Press please stop tarnishing their reputation Muslims?
From Mr Eddie Fullerton
Dubai
Facebook comment
Not attached to religion
Very sad to hear about another beheading, and I strongly condemn the killing of innocent people irrespective of any caste, creed or nationality. It would be wrong to associate such killings to a particular religion. History is the witness that Muslims are not responsible for the ten largest massacres that happened in the past.
From Mr Mohammad Bakhtiar
Oman
Facebook comment
Father of freedom
Nelson Mandela, the father of freedom, had to overcome so many barriers and so many prejudices, misconceptions, lies and struggles before he liberated his country. Why is it so often that we have to wait for people to die before acknowledging their greatness? We should be helping people who do great things and address their concerns when they are alive. December 5, 2013 was one of the saddest days for us South Africans and it was a sad day for the world. Loved and respected all over the world, Mandela, the Nobel Prize laureate and first black president of South Africa, dedicated his life to serving humanity.
We thanked him for the sacrifices he made to give us freedom. He was a real fighter and even though death is inevitable for everyone, his was a great loss to the world. He was liked and respected globally, thanks to his idealism and commitment to peace. May his soul rest in peace.
From Mr Samaoen Osman
Cape Town, South Africa
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