The UAE is a global role model

The UAE is a global role model

Tolerance remains the key value of the UAE and a significant part of the country’s societal structure (‘UAE Tolerance March gathers more than 1,000 people’, Gulf News, November 17). It is a nation keenly interested in creating harmonious relationships among the different segments of society, building tolerance, fundamental values, humane qualities and respect for all religions and faith.

The great Rulers of the country have been following the rich legacy of instilling humane values in people and enhancing the values of tolerance, moderation and openness of the late founding father Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. These values are strengthening the government’s role as an incubator of tolerance, consolidating the family’s role in nation-building and enriching culture and tradition.

The most obvious example of religious tolerance of the UAE is that it is a safe home to over 200 nationalities who live under one umbrella and follow their own faith. The benevolent Rulers’ effort and beliefs in building a society based on respect for cultural diversity, acceptance of other cultural, religious and intellectual traditions and tolerance towards one and all has paved the way for a glorious future.

From Ms Jayashree Kulkarni

Abu Dhabi

Make hands-free mandatory

Despite black points and hefty fines, the trend of talking on the mobile while driving continues to a great extent (‘UAE motorists vs mobile phones: who wins?’, Gulf News, November 17). Motorists do not seem to be pay heed to the dangers of this trend. By talking on the mobile while driving, motorists are distracted and are more likely to get in an accident. The use of hands-free mobile features in vehicles should be made mandatory.

From Ms J. Kristy

UAE

Facebook comment

Let grandparents enjoy

Living with grandparents is very good experience for raising children, but I don’t think the grandparents should be working as if they are your employee (‘Community report: The lives of elderly expats’, Gulf News, November 16). They did enough work in their lives and now let them enjoy their retirement life.

From Mr Durga Gurung

UAE

Facebook comment

Take care of grandparents

Grandparents are definitely a blessing and a treasure trove of knowledge and values for young grandchildren, but we also have to remember that they spent the majority of their years taking care of their children and helped them settle. Now it’s their time to spend their twilight years doing the things they always wanted in the community they are comfortable in. I feel sad when I see the aged parents that are bought here just to take care of the grandchildren and then their children complaint about the medical expenses of their ailing parents.

From Ms Sibi Joice

UAE

Facebook comment

Relatable experience

I don’t think the woman in the report is complaining, she’s just sharing her experience, which is actually relatable with medical costs being expensive. Don’t be quick to judge, Ms Sibi Joice. I’m sure she takes care of her parents no matter what. I don’t know to what extent she’s asking the elderly to care for the children, maybe it’s just to watch over them for a few hours, which amounts to bonding with them as well.

From Ms Lauren Malm

UAE

Facebook comment

Respect the elderly

Asian culture is such that elderly parents play a huge role in their grandchildren’s lives. Whilst this love and togetherness is very comforting to all members, we ought to remember that they have limitations with age and health. It’s important that we respect their space, comfort and free will should they choose to cherish their independence.

From Ms Deepti Ramachandran

UAE

Facebook comment

Cost of sleep on flight

I sincerely request all travellers to keep all their valuables with them while on long haul flights where you are likely to fall asleep. I flew on from Cairo, Egypt to Dubai on November 9 at night. I boarded the flight and after having dinner, I went to sleep. When I got up, most of passengers had gone. Only a few were left and leaving.

When I opened my overhead compartment, I realised that my bag had been shifted. I thought maybe I put it there and quietly picked up my bag and walked out and reached home. After reaching home I realised that my cash, approximately Dh4,500 was missing from the pocket inside my passport holder.

I immediately called the airline office. They were very cooperative, but could not help me. They told me that these cases are happening and unfortunately there are no CCTVS in the aircrafts.

Now I remembered that the person next to me was holding his big bag under his chair. Looks like he was aware of these crimes. I request all to take care of their valuables while travelling.

From Mr Viren Narkar

UAE

Encourage gender equality in politics

A major reason why women are deterred from taking up decision making roles in both a domestic and international forum is because they are more prone to violence and sexual assault. It’s because they are afraid of their male counterparts, it’s because they don’t feel that the environment is safe and conducive.

Establishing a safe environment where women aren’t afraid to actively take part in politics and decision making processes should be a priority for every country. According to a recent study by Inter-Parliamentary Union, it found that sexist violence and harassment against women lawmakers is extremely rampant on an international level.

It is important to educate, inform and mobilise audiences — collectively and individually — to build and adopt new patterns of masculinity and femininity and to encourage new behaviours about partner and family roles. Women’s political empowerment should be in tandem with women’s social empowerment so that the nation, as a whole, can benefit in multiple aspects. International institutions challenging stereotypical patterns of masculinity and femininity should be established to empower women.

It is very important that education is utilised as an optimum tool in promoting gender equality and condemning violence against women. The media should also actively advocate for creating a safe environment for women within their country.

From Ms Paakhi Bhatnagar

Dubai

Arrogant drivers risking lives

Despite so many major accidents and road deaths happening, I have noticed that the arrogant driving habits of some drivers have still not changed. I travel daily from Sharjah to Al Barsha in Dubai and back and travel on Emirates Road. Daily I see so many arrogant drivers on the road who drive aggressively and are the main cause for accidents. They overtake between spaces left among vehicles without even indicating. They come very close to you, tailgating, and start flashing their lights even if you are not in the far left lane.

We see that there are a lot of new drivers on the road and they are panicked by such situations. They do not know how to handle such situations, which results in accidents. Arrogant drivers even overtake from the yellow line or the hard shoulders, which again is very dangerous and risky. I have always seen that in the evenings while returning home. When there is heavy traffic, these drivers are speeding on the shoulder. As soon as they see a police vehicle, they will immediately enter into the proper lane. Again, they would enter the lane without any indicators. They try to squeeze into the lane. They are not at all bothered about the other people on the road. They are only bothered about themselves and for that they put other drivers’ lives at risk. I know that it is very difficult to control them even with the cameras and the police. They seem to only learn when they are met with a really bad experience.

From Mr Ajeet Kumar S. Pillai

Sharjah

Editor’s note: Is there a news report that you feel strongly about? Something that has to be addressed in the community and requires resolution? Email us on readers@gulfnews.com. You can also post a comment on our Facebook page or tweet to us @GNReaders.