Fond memories of 23 years in Dubai
Goodbyes are always difficult and it is with a heavy heart that I bid a fond farewell to Dubai, which has been my home for the past 23 years. My husband has retired after a long and fulfilling career in banking, and we are leaving this beautiful country and moving to our homeland.
It has been an amazing journey, filled with wonderful and unforgettable memories. I have had the good fortune of experiencing the transformation of the UAE from a young country under the wise and able leadership of its founding fathers, to a land that continues to flourish under the guidance of their successors.
While living and working for many years in Dubai as a teacher, I had the opportunity to see much of the UAE as part of field trips with my students, along with frequent weekend trips with my family. I will be reminded of the early morning sights and sounds of the city, as I drove to work, and the countless people I met and had the pleasure to know – my friends who became my family.
I feel the UAE’s most remarkable achievement has been to create a nation where people of over 180 different nationalities live and work together in perfect peace and harmony. It is the multicultural environment, inter-faith freedom and tolerance, and peaceful coexistence that I am going to miss the most. May the UAE continue on the path to progress and prosperity. May God protect the UAE and keep its people safe and secure.
From Ms Umbereen Rahman
Dubai
No place like it
The UAE has always been at the forefront in combating violence, hatred and religious intolerance, while standing for peace, preservation of culture and tradition. The country’s leaders are constantly trying to eliminate crimes based on caste, creed, race and ethnic values. The country promotes coexistence, security, safety and respect among people. Today, while we see the phenomenon of many societies being marred by division, conflict, fighting, violence and destruction due to the outbreak of racial or religious discrimination, the UAE has always taken measures that safeguard people against all negative factors.
It is a testament of the country’s rulers’ open-mindedness, pragmatism and prudence that so many nationalities, which embrace different religions, live here in peace and harmony. The country is a safe haven and the best place to live in, as it gives people acceptance, mutual respect, and helps protect and defend residents.
From Ms Jayashree Kulkarni
Abu Dhabi
Educate the public
The World Health Organisation (WHO) observed May 31 as No Tobacco Day (‘Community report in-depth: A chance to break the habit’, Gulf News, May 30). This year, the theme was: ‘Tobacco a threat to development’. WHO states that there are more than 7 million deaths from tobacco use every year. Tobacco use is not just a threat to people, irrespective of their age or gender, but it also affects those around them. As a precaution, most countries have banned smoking in public places and this is effectively being implemented in the UAE. Increasing taxes for tobacco products will help prevent people from using it. Last week, Saudi Arabia introduced a 100 per cent tax on tobacco products. Let us educate our children and society on the evil effects of using tobacco and create a society of healthy people.
From Mr Eappen Elias
Dubai
Around for decades
This old building was a landmark to us, as children, especially when we would travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai (‘Facebook video: Goodbye Sana building...’, Gulf News, May 30). We never really believed we had reached Dubai until we saw the Sana building. It was my grandmother’s favourite shopping place in the early 1980s.
From Ms Karen Pinto Thakur
Perth, Australia
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Prayers for victims
Humanity still prevails… It’s sad that such good human beings are taken away so soon from this world (‘Suspect in Portland double murder posted white supremacist material online’, Gulf News, May 29). We need more people like them. These are heroes who protect a country from within. My prayers for their families, and I hope for a speedy recovery for the survivor.
From Ms Mahnaaz Shaikh
UAE
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