Easier access to answers online
There is always so much to know about residence visas, work bans, labour laws... the list is long (‘Not all residency visas cancelled after six months abroad’, Gulf News, May 24). Knowing and accepting that the majority population of the UAE are expatriates and that most of them use English as their first or second language, wouldn’t it be great if e-government portals have a well categorised, easy to read website for all these clarifications? Even setting up a help desk with qualified agents who are well-versed in these matters and can answer a query on email, telephone or online chat, can help a lot. No one else can, but the UAE has done amazing things in such a short time. This is just another image lifting, expatriate-friendly step they can take.
From Mr Adnan Shabbir
UAE
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Happened to a colleague
I know of a similar case with a colleague, whose wife travelled abroad to look after her mother who was ill. She had to stay away for more than six months and on her way back to Dubai, very early in the morning, the immigration officer refused to let her in because she was out of the country for more than six months, even though her visa was valid. Her husband’s residence visa was valid as well. Her husband then had to go to the immigration headquarters to cancel his wife’s residence visa while she waited in the airport for three hours, in order for her to be able to enter the country with a visa on arrival, since her passport allowed her to do that. Otherwise, she would have had to go back all the way to her home country if her passport had not been within the list of countries that allow expatriates to enter the UAE with a visa on arrival.
From Mr Ali
UAE
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Students prove hard work pays off
It is wonderful to see that these children have scored such good grades and made their families and schools proud (‘Meet the top CBSE students in the UAE’, Gulf News, May 26). Their success stories prove that hard work always pays off. One piece of advice that students appearing for examinations should bear in mind, is that they should restrain themselves from social media and networking sites. I wish them all the very best in their future endeavours.
From Ms Fatima Suhail
Sharjah
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Don’t spread illogical information
This rumour about the summer heat being dangerous for cars with a full tank of petrol, has been making the rounds for at least three to four years (‘Filling fuel tanks to the maximum capacity not dangerous during summer’, Gulf News, May 24). People senselessly circulate stuff without bothering to even understand the logic behind it!
From Ms Jenny Michaels
UAE
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Thorough investigations necessary
Terrorists are not made overnight and all their past activities, friends and online social media usage should be thoroughly investigated (‘Saudi mosque bomber disavowed by family’, Gulf News, May 25). Their relatives and close friends — both real and online — should be investigated in an attempt to reach a logical conclusion as to what transpired for them to act against the state and humanity.
From Mr Girish R. Edathitta
UAE
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Balance to preserve traditions
When looking at what is going on in the past few years, a simple condemnation is not enough for such acts, rather largely requires action to thwart the approaching threat of militancy in the region and beyond.
The world has been witnessing terror advances for more than two decades, but no serious action has been collectively taken to eradicate the menace. I fear the youth might be seeing a world that is mostly covered in blood every day. The whole world is aware that billions have already been spent and thousands have lost their lives during the decades of fighting. There should be a collective fight to stop this aggression against humanity whilst preserving the traditions of a rich past.
From Mr Ramachandran Nair
Oman
Activist should be arrested
I don’t understand the inaction towards the woman who has chained herself to the petroleum company’s ship — why do they not arrest her (‘2 protesters chained to Shell ship in Washington’, Gulf News, May 25)? If she did that on dry land, she would be arrested immediately. I say, just sail off and leave her dangling there! It was her choice to be there. These people do my head in. I’m sure she has a car, uses gas for heating, has a television and likes barbecuing — all of which require crude oil and gas. These folks are wasting government time and money, and stop regular people from getting on with their jobs.
From Mr Tom Milne
Dubai
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Ovarian cancer awareness is vital
After reading the article on the dangers of ovarian cancer, I was shocked to learn that there is a lack of awareness amongst people about this silent killer (‘Ovarian cancer is a ‘silent killer’’, Gulf News, May 24). Ovarian cancer is often called the silent killer because often, there are no symptoms until the disease has progressed to an advanced stage. I like how Gulf News rightly mentioned in this article that early symptoms of ovarian cancer are often mild, making this disease difficult to detect.
In Dubai, we have various campaigns or marathons conducted frequently to create awareness about breast cancer. In the same way, I feel there should be as many campaigns to create awareness about ovarian cancer, as well. The number of awareness drives for this type of cancer should be on par with those conducted for breast cancer awareness in the UAE. More women need to know that ovarian cancer exists and that they need to take their symptoms seriously. There are numerous ways to increase awareness among different age groups. We could start an ‘Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month’ in the UAE and there could be many activities and events that promote the importance of regular check-ups for women.
From Ms Niyati Raj
Dubai
Learning to differentiate
The constitution states that India is a secular country (‘Letters to the editor: Living together in harmony’, Gulf News, May 27). It means that no individual will be discriminated against or stopped from using certain facilities on the grounds of religion. I am still in high school, and I have learnt this. I feel that, in the case of the man who was denied a job because his name was ‘Khan’, the company’s management was not paying attention during their civics classes or they just don’t respect their country’s constitution.
From Ms Aisha Samreen
UAE
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The company can choose
Any private company is within their rights and discretion to hire or fire anyone on the grounds that they see feasible. There is nothing wrong with this decision. There are also thousands of Muslims in India who are working in Hindu-owned companies and one of them even managed to get voted for president!
From Mr Khurram Asif
UAE
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No grades of discrimination
This is clearly a case of discrimination against an individual’s religion. The company’s decision to discriminate is as senseless as not hiring someone because of the colour of his or her hair. There aren’t grades of discrimination; you either do or you don’t. Calling Khan in for an interview knowing they would never hire him is even worse. They wasted his time!
From Mr Giles Heaton
Dubai
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Easy for some
Bollywood actor Aamir Khan has easily overcome ups and downs related to his weight, for various roles he has performed (‘Aamir Khan’s mum, wife worried about his health’, Gulf News, May 25). I think that becoming slim is one of the hardest tasks anyone can do. Hats off to my favourite hero though — he can overcome it easily and I think that’s amazing.
From Ms Almas Farid
UAE
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