Education is key
I appreciate Dubai Municipality's efforts in implementing the "trap, neuter and release" programme (‘Fines for feeding stray cats imposed on second violation', Gulf News, March 25). Toxoplasmosis is a disease that is transmitted through cat faeces. I have been feeding stray cats on a daily basis for the past six years, come rain or shine. Let me tell you that I have been attacked more by humans than by these voiceless creatures. I have been water bombed from balconies and a building watchman recently threatened to physically hurt me if I came to feed cats in his area. Feline Friends have rightly commented that "people need to be guided".
From Mr P. Saif Al Deen
Sharjah
Website comment
Sending the wrong message
The reporter did not attempt to contact veterinarians other than the Municipality to get their view on the threat of disease from stray cats.
Toxoplasmosis is contractable only by handling cat faeces — I doubt if any person feeding stray cats would pick up their faeces.
This story is simply feeding into myths surrounding cats that continue to cause these animals to be abused in the most horrible and violent ways and be abandoned by owners. Well done Gulf News.
From Ms Caroline
Dubai
Website comment
Read the conditions
You have to read the terms and conditions that some banks apply (‘Watch out for ‘0% easy payment plans', Gulf News, March 24).
When they offer you zero per cent instalments or buy your outstanding amount from another card for a few months, not only do you have to pay the minimum payments for the facility but also the interest on any new purchases you make on the card that is under offer.
From Mr Mohammad
Dubai
Website comment
The other side of the story
In a growing economy, consumer spending is very important. Banks are trying to help the economy as well as their customers. Some banks don't even charge an administration fee for their zero per cent offer.
If a customer is being charged late payment fees, then it's purely due to his or her negligence. Blaming the bank or putting a ‘watch out' notice in the headline is wrong.
From a reader
Abu Dhabi
Website comment
No extra payments
I purchased a product using a card that was offered by one of the national banks and I only had to pay monthly instalments for the product — I didn't pay extra. So in my opinion, it is a good option as there are some good offers in town.
From Mr Ahmad
Dubai
Website comment
Protecting his young
Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi didn't do anything wrong (‘Shahid Afridi attacks fan at Karachi airport', Gulf News, March 24).
He did what any father would have done. The fans might have got excited when they saw their superstar, but they should have made sure not to hurt the young child.
From Mr Fazal Wadood
Sharjah
Website comment
Bias in reporting
There was no news of Pakistan's wins in the Asia Cup, but when a father stands up for his daughter, he is portrayed as a villain. This is shameful.
From Ms Khuldun Wahid Jatala
Dubai
Website comment
No one bothered
I feel sad to read these kinds of reports in the media when the issues haven't been investigated. The reality is that he did what he had to do in that situation.
He is a father who was protecting his child and fans were going wild — nobody was bothering and that's why he did it.
From Mr Arsalan
Sharjah
Website comment
Standing strong
As Shakir Noori states in his comment, this summit is the first to be held in Baghdad after the Arab Spring (‘Will it be Mission Impossible in ‘Fortress Baghdad'?', Gulf News, March 24). I feel the whole world is waiting for the summit's positive outcome. Most of the Arab summits that were held in the past failed to attain their mission.
As Noori expressed, there is definitely a possibility of unrest in Iraq due to the sectarian division strategy rolled over the Iraqi people by Saddam Hussain, which created numerous disgruntled segments that could act negatively towards the summit. I wholeheartedly agree with Noori about the mentality of Arab countries when Iraq was in trouble and torn apart.
The only solution to solve the problems in Palestine, Iraq and Syria is cooperation amongst Arab nations — this can be achieved through dialogue. If the summit is a success, it can save thousands of Arab lives.
I personally feel that developed countries with veto power are waiting for the Arab League summit to fail, which could then pave a way for the West to hammer their strategies on the heads of poorer nations.
From Mr Preeth Chacko Philip
Sharjah
Editor's Note: If you would like to share your views or write to the newspaper, log on to www.gulfnews.com or email us at readers@gulfnews.com
