Dubai project will make divers happy

A reader expresses support for Dubai's underwater project for divers. Other topics: maids, wildlife decree, airline passengers, Terry Fox run, UAE visa

A reader expresses support, on behalf of Dubai's diving community, for the man-made Lost City reef project. Above an artist's impression. Courtesy Reef World

Letters to the Editor

I am an active member of the Dubai scuba diving community and would like to add my voice of support for a man-made Lost City reef project off shore at The World Islands (Atlantis-style sunken city planned off shore of Dubai, February 24). We need places to dive that are close, fun to explore, and filled with wildlife.

Count me and my dive mates in for the inaugural trips to this “Lost World”.

Mark Reed, Dubai

Understand the pitfalls of buying visas illegally

The risk of getting a visa illegally is a punishable offence in any country (Buying illegal work visas in the UAE has its perils, February 22). But some people who are desperate to get out of their countries in search of work are forced to get the UAE visas the way Rachelle Parial got it.

A large number of Asians look towards the Gulf countries for employment, but in many cases they do not have the means of getting a visa. They are those who get lured by “illegal visa sellers”.

I know someone who approached an agent for a visa for his relative. He was charged Dh5,000 for a tourist visa. But later the agent told him to pay Dh1,500 more. The biggest problem is that there is no way to know whether those visas are real or fake. In case they are not real, you cannot easily catch the culprits. There is a grave risk involved in getting visas though unregistered agents. Unfortunately, a majority of people realise the dangers only when they get into trouble.

Name withheld by request

Wildlife decree is welcome move

Animals like lions and tigers look great in the wild and they look horrible when they are kept in a household or taken on a ride through Sheikh Zayed Road on sophisticated cars (Video of lioness in back of car in Dubai circulates on social media, February 23).

As anyone will know, it’s also dangerous to keep these animals as pets. So it’s better if they are given to a zoo or are released in the wild.

I was heartened to learn that an international declaration on halting the illegal wildlife trade signed by the UAE last week would help tighten rules over ownership of exotic and wild animals (Wildlife decree hoped to tighten rules on big cats, February 23). Although this pact is mainly aimed at halting illegal trade in ivory, I am sure it will have an effect on the illegal sale of animals in the UAE too.

Name withheld by request

Time to think about the rights of maids

I enjoyed reading Ayesha Almazroui's opinion article It's time to offer better protection to domestic staff (February 24), which called for the stoppage of abuse of domestic help.

It’s good to see young Emiratis highlighting the importance of protecting the weaker section of society. I was particularly impressed by her acknowledgement of the important role these people play in the UAE’s economic and social development.

It’s true that without them “many women won’t be able to work, given the lack of culture of shared domestic responsibility between men and women and the desire by many people in this society to maintain a certain lifestyle and social status”. I would like to read more of Ayesha’s articles on such pertinent issues.

Sarah Abdulrahman, Abu Dhabi

Travellers need to behave responsibly

I am writing in reference to the news article Passengers recount drama of a smoke alarm incident on Etihad flight to Abu Dhabi (February 19).

I have spoken to some people in the UAE who believe they’re above the law. They told me how they lit up on planes. When I pointed out that they ought to realise the dangers of doing so as they put so many lives at risk, they just laughed. So there you go.

Christina Murphy, Dubai

Runners deserve appreciation

I refer to the news report Abu Dhabi Terry Fox run participants raise Dh 387,000in just one day (February 22). It’s heartening to hear that the one-day event broke the previous record in terms of raising funds for charity.

Although this event promotes health and fitness, it’s mainly a campaign against cancer. The fact that so many people spared their time to participate in this drive is to be appreciated.

K Ragavan, India