Hamas shuns the Palestinian 'Idol'

Letter writers comment on Emiratisation, technology and tourism, Muwaqif parking, mothers in schools, court sentence and the Palestinian winner of the Arab Idol.

A reader says Hamas leaders have failed to embrace Arab Idol winner Mohammd Assaf. Mohammed Azakir / Reuters

I am writing in response to recent articles about Emiratisation and the editorial Perceptions hinder Emiratisation goal (June 19).

Why do some people tend to judge Emiratis by just looking at them and not bothering to understand their situation?

Most of these Emiratis that you see in private-sector jobs are probably new employees, and new employees usually have nothing to do at the beginning.

My sister just got hired - after two long years of looking for a job - and, sadly, she's disappointed because they're not giving her anything to do.

Every day she comes home and tells me that she was just sitting there as usual, waiting for someone to tell her what to do.

Why do some people think that we are lazy people who will snap at anything and create big problems for our expatriate bosses if they say anything to us?

My other sister hates her job because of another employee who keeps insulting her, in an indirect way, and putting her down. But my sister doesn't snap and doesn't makes a big fuss. She goes to her job every day and does her best, even though it's a low-paid job.

We struggle too; we need to feed our families. Please stop making us seem like we are these privileged people who don't have to worry about a thing in the world.

Name withheld by request

Technology will be good for tourism

I was impressed by Street view hits the heights of Burj Khalifa (June 25).

This initiative by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, supported by the internet giant Google, is laudable.

With this panoramic guide I am sure tourist numbers in the UAE will increase.

This also adds to the many firsts Dubai already has to its credit.

K Ragavan, India

Some questions about parking

I have complaints and questions about Mawaqif parking facilities in Abu Dhabi.

I rarely hear people complain about car-parking facilities in Dubai because they are fairly simple and straightforward.

But in Abu Dhabi, Mawaqif's policies are often arbitrary and inconvenient. The Ramadan parking timings as reported in Time changes for paid Mawaqif parking (June 23) are confusing and inconvenient for many people.

Another thing: I am leaving this country on holiday, and I want to avail of the free parking facilities in front of my apartment building.

However, I can see people at work turning the area into a paid-parking facility. What happens if it turns into a paid-parking area while I am on holiday?

Name withheld by request

Questions about Mums in school

Regarding Ayesha Al Khoori's opinion article, Emirati women face the challenge of being mummy students (June 23). I do respect these women who balance work and personal life so perfectly, but not many can do that.

Unfortunately, when most mothers try to work or go to school and continue to care for the kids, the kids usually just end up being raised by nannies.

Moiz SA, Sharjah

Sentences don't seem to fit crime

I am writing regarding the three men who each received a year in prison for impersonating police, kidnapping, rape and robbery of two women (One year in jail for trio who stalked and raped, June 25).

These lenient jail sentences may be sending the wrong message to criminals.

I believe that each of the major law violations they committed warrants extended jail time; certainly more than one year.

Hadayat Gharibya, Abu Dhabi

Hamas leaders are out of touch

How Gaza went wild for its Idol (June 24) shows that all Palestinians, except, it seems, the Hamas leadership, cheered on the wonderful victory of Mohammed Assaf in Arab Idol.

This demonstrates the sad fact that Hamas cannot even show pride in the accomplishments of its own people.

Tim Upham, UK

Cartoon reveals democratic flaw

Shadi Ghanim's cartoon (June 24) depicting Egyptians changing the slogan on their protest signs from "No to Mubarak" to "No to Morsi" was interesting. It is a disaster when an elected president turns out to be a total failure. Democracy is not an easy thing.

Ahmed Elberawi, Egypt