Start the healing process
With reference to the Palestine-Israeli conflict, for any peace to succeed it must address the psychological damage to the Palestinians, caused by 60 years of pain and suffering.
The torment must stop, but equally important, a healing process must start. As part of any settlement, Israel and its benefactors must acknowledge their responsibility for causing this pain and suffering.
Only with this acknowledgment of responsibility and apology can anger and hate subside, and extremism vanish.
From Mr Mumtaz Younus
Abu Dhabi
Check required
As a new expatriate in the UAE, the thing that really shocked me is the high rents coupled with the difficulty of finding suitable accommodation.
It is expensive to seek the services of real estate agents, as they demand very high commission.
I was asked to pay a 10 per cent commission in a single payment mode for an apartment that I found suitable.
In another experience I found a one-bedroom flat, but had to let it go as the owner asked for a single payment of Dh60,000 in cash.
How can one pay such a huge amount in a single payment? I request the authorities to kindly intervene and enforce stricter laws that will prevent landlords and real estate agents from engaging in malpractice.
From Mr Malek Asif Nawaz
Abu Dhabi
Insensitive
Did these people actually think of the psychological effect and emotional distress it would cause the dogs to be separated from their owners ("Dog on a lease", Gulf News, March 24)?
Or did they consider the feelings of those who would keep the dogs? Their ideal candidate is a family with children.
Would it be nice to take a child's pet away after a year of keeping it? This idea is simply outrageous!
From Mr Hazem Adel
Dubai
Embarrassed
While on a recent business trip to Singapore I was surprised that news of the horrible service of taxi drivers in Dubai had reached the shores of the country.
Many people asked if Dubai taxi drivers were really as rude as they were made out to be and why there were no guidelines of service.
Imagine the embarrassment. It's a shame that the problem continues.
From Mr Anthony Permal
Dubai
Talking useful
I would like to ask Ms Natasha Verma Kapoor what she meant by "doing something useful" in her letter ("It is fine", Gulf News, March 25).
Is working as a receptionist, secretary, office assistant or waitress more useful than bringing up children, helping them in their studies, preparing food for your husband and housekeeping?
From Ms Mujtuba Ali Khan
Dubai
Shameful
The pupil is only a child but the parents should not have acted in such a manner ("Librarian assaulted by family members of 'reprimanded' pupil", Gulf News, March 25).
They should be the ones to be reprimanded. The school has done the right thing by lodging a complaint with the police.
It is really a shameful thing to have happened in a place like a school. I can't start to imagine what effect this might have on the pupils who witnessed the event.
From Ms Jeny Michaels
Sharjah
Missed point
I read the introductory comment in Gulf News marking the fifth anniversary of the American-led invasion of Iraq, and noticed that it missed the targets on a few important issues.
Firstly, the execution of President Saddam Hussain did not unify the Iraqis as suggested. On the contrary, most Iraqis despised the act for its revengeful nature.
The Americans did not achieve a swift victory in Iraq. The mission is far from being accomplished and the war is by no means over.
For Gulf News to be distinguished and different, it must not publish whatever stereotypical image is marketed.
From Dr Ameer A. Al Bayati
Abu Dhabi
Install signals
The National Paints Roundabout on Emirates Road Sharjah is a chaotic and dangerous place, especially during peak hours.
It gets choked with many vehicles that try to pass through together. In this process the incoming vehicles invariably block the exits from the roundabout, creating a mess.
The introduction of traffic signals would help drastically in such situations.
Additionally, these would also provide safe passage options for numerous pedestrians who risk their lives running while trying to cross the road.
From Mr Vivek Vigh
Sharjah
Who is responsible?
A new way to capture clients used by a popular mall in Sharjah is to have people shopping for groceries trapped in the parking lot for a minimum of one hour.
Regular exits are closed for "development" work. Thereby an individual has to make rounds before being able to exit through a lone gate that is usually jammed.
On contacting the customer complaint cell office, the frustrated operator gives the mobile number of the authorities concerned, citing the reason that the perpetrators of this decision have taken the day off.
From Mr Fahim Nazeer
Sharjah
Great paper
Gulf News is a great paper as it includes news from almost all places of the world. I like Friday magazine, especially the column where you can express the 10 most favourite things.
Funday could improve as it includes activities only for children, except for the competitions.
From Ms Anannya Mary Suresh
Sharjah