Upholding the spirit of Ramadan
A few days ago, at around 7pm, I had completed some urgent work and was finally ready to leave for home. I was shocked to discover that the building had been completely vacated and all exits were locked. I made every effort possible to find an unlocked door or window, to be able to exit. When all else failed, I resorted to shouting for help. Soon, Mahmoud - a driver who works in the same area and who was on his way to a mosque - heard my pleas for help and immediately ran toward the glass door. We communicated through the gap between the two doors. After understanding my plight, Mahmoud informed his colleagues and the security guard of the building I was locked in. At first, they arranged for a ladder, which regrettably was too short to reach the building's rooftop. After about two hours of the ordeal, Naeem - another driver - was contacted, who managed to unlock the door to the pantry, thereby allowing me to leave the building. I was finally free. These gentlemen truly upheld the spirit of Ramadan, by helping me in my time of need and thus strengthening the bonds of brotherhood.
From Mr Nikeel Idnani
Dubai

To better use
It is a bit late but this is in response to a story published in Gulf News in November, last year ("Staying in touch using rusty cassette players," Gulf News, November 21). The report highlighted how certain low income workers used outdated audio cassette players and tapes to communicate with their families back home. I was reminded of this heart-warming story when I came across an old audio player and some old tapes, tucked away in a storage cupboard in my home. I would like to donate these to anyone who might be able to put them to better use.
From Mr S. Punjabi
UAE

Editor's note: There are charity collection points for Ramadan, where readers could drop off items to be donated. You would need to check with malls and charity societies in your area.

Extending ample freedom
I totally disagree with Mathew Litty ("Agree to disagree," Gulf News, August 23). Norbert Wirth is right when he says that one should wear appropriate clothing in public places, such as malls. We should be thankful for the fact that the UAE is so tolerant and extends ample freedom to expatriates. We must respect the country's culture and the only way to do this is by abiding by the rules and regulations. Please dress in a decent manner.
From Ms Joy L. Jhan
Al Ain

Change, for the worse
I absolutely agree with Norbert Wirth. With regard to Litty's views, I have lived in Dubai for 20 years and in the Gulf for the past 30 years. When one resides in a Muslim country, one needs to respect the culture, laws and religion of the host country. Those who feel they are unable to do so should choose some other place to reside in! Additionally, I have noticed a change in the way people dress, too, but it is definitely not for the better! Yes, the weather is hot but a light scarf thrown over the shoulders, when in public, is an easy solution and can look nice, too.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request

READERS' ISSUE RESOLVED

Deposited time
I opened a time deposit/fixed deposit account on December 4, 2008 with the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS). I had deposited Dh5 million at 6 to 8 per cent interest rate for six months, on an agreement that if I needed urgent cash the bank would lend me the money at an interest rate of 7 to 8 per cent per annum. On March 3, 2009, I requested to withdraw Dh1 million - as a loan for 30 days - and was informed that the bank could not lend me the money, adding that I could break my deposit. This was because they had changed their policy to lend money on the fixed deposit account! I argued with the staff who I had liaised with, but they did not agree. I insisted on seeing the manager but this request was not entertained either. In the end, on March 6, I was asked to sign on a document which would allow me to withdraw the required amount. On April 6, I tried to deposit the money I had withdrawn, but the bank refused to provide the 6 to 8 per cent interest rate and instead gave me only 3.15 per cent! The difference was Dh19,000. Could Gulf News please help?
From Mr Abed Habib Jadawji
Dubai

Mr Omar Shahid Naqi, Assistant Vice-President – Brand Manager, The Royal Bank of Scotland, responds: We investigated the complaint highlighted by our customer Mr Abed Jadawji and discovered that he was entitled for credit based on his fixed deposit account with RBS. However, our product features changed prior to the customer applying for the credit facility and we could no longer offer him this option. Since the customer applied for this feature in the month of March 2009, which was after the feature was withdrawn, we were unable to provide Mr Jadawji with this credit facility. The customer was upset, but this change was based on prevailing terms and conditions governing a fixed deposit account. This change is applicable to both new and existing customers. After Mr Jadawji wrote to Gulf News voicing his concerns, we repeated the explanation to him over the phone. Unfortunately, the customer was still unhappy.

Where's my salary?
I opened a bank account with Dubai Bank two months ago, for salary transfer. In the past two months, I would receive my salary two to four days later, as compared to when I had an account with other banks. Additionally, Dubai Bank introduced a charge of Dh2 per transaction, despite the fact that I would use another bank's Automated Teller Machine (ATM). This was because Dubai Bank has insufficient ATMs. I am not satisfied with the bank service.
From Mr Sekar Ramasamy
Dubai

Dubai Bank responds: As always, Dubai Bank looks at every issue raised by our customers as an opportunity to enhance our services. On receiving this complaint, the bank immediately contacted Mr Ramasamy to get a deeper understanding of the issue. Upon investigation, we were able to inform Mr Ramasamy that his salary processing instructions were received on April 27, May 28 and June 29, respectively. These were promptly processed on the same day, as is the practice for all such transactions within the bank. With regard to the ATM charges, these are standard charges levied by the ATM operator and the UAE Switch. Dubai Bank does not generate any revenue from this fee. After a detailed discussion with Mr Ramasamy, both the issues have been resolved. He has communicated his satisfaction with the resolution of these issues to Gulf News, prior to the publication of this letter.

Mr Ramasamy responds: Thanks for your mail. Dubai Bank has addressed my specific issue after Gulf News contacted them and has resolved it. My sincere thanks to Gulf News and Dubai Bank for the quick response.

Delayed by 12 hours
On July 5, 2009, my parents were scheduled to fly to Karachi with Air Blue. After ensuring that they had checked in at the Dubai International Airport's Terminal 2, I left the airport assuming that everything had been taken care of. Unfortunately, this wasn't the case. I received a call from my parents in the morning that they had been offloaded from the aircraft, due to a technical failure. Additionally, they had been denied permission to exit the security area and airport for 12 hours! Why was the airline not aware of the technical fault until it was actually ready for take-off? Additionally, why were my parents - both around 70 years of age - not provided hotel accommodation? Whose decision was it to keep the passengers at the airport and why did it take 12 hours for the passengers to be allowed to leave? The passengers were not allowed access to their baggage either, which was a problem for my mother who is a heart patient and needed to take her medication. Besides rescheduling the flight, why wasn't any added compensation offered to passengers for the inconvenience caused?
From Mr Salman Mujtaba
Dubai

Ms Sadaf Ali, Manager, Air Blue, responds: I would like to apologise to all the passengers who had been troubled by the cancellation of our flight, due to some operational reasons. Our flight got cancelled after the passengers were checked-in. As per procedure, Dubai's Naturalisation and Residency Department was informed and many requests were made to allow the passengers to exit. The Department had to make entries of each and every passenger in their record after we had announced our flight had been cancelled, due to which the delay took place. We were helpless as we could not release the passengers till we had received a clearance from the Naturalisation and Residency Department and the airport authority. As per the rules, the passengers were released as soon as we received the go ahead from them. We made every effort to accommodate the passengers on alternative flights, so they could reach their respective destinations. We at Air Blue try to make every possible effort to ensure our customers are happy and satisfied. Additionally, we shall try our best to ensure such incidents do not recur.