A new chapter
Today, October 3, is a great event witnessed by the UAE through elections for the third time in its history. It’s a move that represents a new chapter of the political project drawn by His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. Half of the members are elected by the bodies of the Electoral Council, while the other half is set. This mechanism was adopted and applied in 2006.
Today, we are placing our confidence, as citizens, in our brothers and sisters who are going to the polling stations. Voters are asked to respect God and choose representatives for the people, to present the message honestly.
From Mr Mohammad Al Hajeri
Al Ain
Earlier timings, a good start
Having the Dubai Metro opening at 10am on Fridays is a good start to accommodating residents to a greater extent (‘10am start for Dubai Metro on Fridays’, Gulf News, September 28). However, it still doesn’t cater to the people who are commuting for work in the morning and they tend to be the ones that really need the Metro service at that time.
From Ms Claudelle Khenfoussi
UAE
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Happy with adjustment
Finally, this has been changed. It is a good improvement that was much needed. It would be even better if it could start from 8am - that would be excellent for those working.
From Mr Enam H.
UAE
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2pm was too late
This is good! I always thought that 2pm was too late for many people!
From Mr Chris Reid
UAE
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Busses to change, too?
Hopefully bus will also start by 10am at least. Especially where I live out in Arabian Ranches! There aren’t many other options.
From Ms Eurekanachoriza Wahiman Magallanes
Dubai
Facebook comment
Listening to residents
I must agree that I wish the Dubai Metro started just a bit earlier. I will still have to take a Dh60 taxi instead of the Dh5 Dubai Metro fee, every Friday that I go to work. It is helpful, though. It helps the day begin a bit earlier for some people on their weekends. It has been a topic that has been raised quite a few times, and I’m glad to see the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is taking in the requests of the residents.
From Mr William Chance
UAE
Facebook comment
Thankful for change
Thankfully, this change has been made. I’m really looking forward for the opportunity to board earlier than the regular timing on Fridays.
From Ms Louise Manalo
Dubai
Facebook comment
Extra carriages and handles
The Dubai Metro can be so full during rush hour, how about adding more carriages or least having more places to have something to hold on to? Sometimes you find yourself falling onto others when it’s crowded and you’re stuck in the middle where there are no handles.
From Ms Vanessa Wolmarans
UAE
Facebook comment
Metro could ease housing squeeze
I think there is a huge problem regarding rent going up in the suburbs of Dubai as people are moving away from the main city areas (‘Dubai housing squeeze sends expatriates flocking to suburbs’, Gulf News, September 28). There is a limit that Dubai can take, and I think it is needed to expand the Dubai Metro lines into Sharjah and Ajman so that people can commute easily, reduce traffic congestion on the roads and ease the pressure on the housing squeeze.
Now it is difficult for commuters to get in and out of any of these suburbs and gated communities as the populations grow. Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road is one of the roads that have become very slow in the mornings and evenings.
From Mr Shabir Zainudeen
UAE
Could be harmful to animal
Bull fighting in Goa, India is a traditional sport that has been organised for many years (‘Bullfighting: Goa’s worst-kept secret’, Gulf News, September 28). In the way that they play with the bull, the animal could be injured.
From Mr Pir Abdul Samad
UAE
Facebook comment
Hypocritical protesting
To protest about bullfighting in Spain, the eating of dogs in South Korea or the slaughter of baby seals in Canada while continuing to eat eggs from hens who have spent their lives crammed into cages or veal from calves who have been deprived of their mothers, their proper diet and the freedom to lie down with their legs extended, is hypocritical. Animal welfare should apply to all animals.
Froom Ms Zarah Binth Rahman
UAE
Facebook comment
Not a reasonable comparison
You can’t compare chicken laying the eggs that feed the world to bullfighting or clubbing seals. I understand that there is controversy in the way that farm animals are handled to produce the food that feeds us all, but that is a completely different issue.
Bullfighting is abusive when we are certain that animals are harmed, and I don’t think that it’s wrong to be against this activity even though we choose to eat animal products. The treatment of farm animals is being improved, but it’s difficult when populations are growing as well as demand.
We can’t throw the baby out with the bath water because we fight for one animal rights issue and not another.
From Mr Sheldon Kaur
UAE
Facebook comment
Implement the punishment
Let’s all remember that the bullfighting is banned, as the article states. The punishment simply needs to be enforced. The government is agreeing that this is wrong and believes that the majority of the population feels the same or else it wouldn’t have been banned in the first place. Educate the people and implement the punishment.
From Mr Harry Singh
UAE
Facebook comment
Ancient tradition
It’s hard to believe this is happening in Goa. Although it is an ancient tradition of having bullfights, it is true that bullfights are banned.
From Mr Johnny Dias
Kuwait City, Kuwait
Facebook comment
What about compassion?
I’ve always felt that a lot can be deduced about a society by how well it treats its animals. It is necessary to be taught compassion for creatures when children are raised, so this doesn’t happen.
From Mr Giles Heaton
Dubai
Facebook comment
An amazing night
The supermoon lunar eclipse made for the most amazing night (‘Supermoon shines bright across the world’, Gulf News, September 29). It was such a beauty! I love the moon’s beauty and it’s significance to various religions and cultures.
From Mr Ruhiah Ans
UAE
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Horrible, but it might help
No one can truly understand the grief of losing a child unless you have experienced it (‘Readers Views: Aylan reminds us of our responsibility’, Gulf News, September 27). This would be the worst experience of life, but it might help in the future to push countries to act.
From Mr Chetan Chauhan
Dubai
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Turn on headlights!
The foggy weather is back with the humidity and the changing of the seasons (‘10 tips for driving safely in fog’, Gulf News, September 21). These are good tips for driving through the fog - I think that it’s important to turn on your fog lights during the fog and sandstorms. It might seem like commonsense, but many forget!
From Mr Esmail Adams
UAE
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