Millions will be hit as oil slides

The decline in the oil price will take a toll on refugees, a reader says. Other topics: mental health, Force Awakens, Pegida, Dubai arrest

The decline in the oil price will make refugees’ lives more miserable, a reader says. Aris Messinis / AFP

The report Oil falls to fresh 11-year low as Asian stocks plunge (January 7) is worrying as it will affect a large number of people, especially refugees.

Last year was extremely distressing for millions of people as they struggled to find a safe refuge from conflict and turmoil. Many travelled to Europe, where they are separated as “migrants” and “refugees”. The fall in oil prices means tighter budgets for many countries and hence a tougher economic scenario.

Ramachandran Nair, Oman

More focus needed on mental health

Your editorial More counsellors will be needed (January 8) was topical. All children and youth have the right to happy and healthy lives and deserve access to effective care to prevent or treat any mental health problems that they may develop. Unfortunately, there is a tremendous amount of unmet need and it requires immediate attention.

Mental health issues have long-term implications on the ability of children and youth to fulfil their potential as well as consequences for the health, education and criminal justice systems of our society.

J Scott, Dubai

Force Awakens not so great

Personally, I felt that Michael Giacchino has influenced the score of The Force Awakens (With The Force Awakens, John Williams finds his majestic music playing second fiddle to frenetic pacing, December 23). Some tracks of JJ Abrams's Star Trek: Into Darkness sounded similar to The Force Awakens.

I can’t find any theme that really catches my fancy unlike previous Star Wars films. Not much John Williams in the scores.

In addition, the score was no longer performed by the London Symphony Orchestra.

Name withheld by request

No need to panic over Pegida

HA Hellyer (Group with 'hate in their hearts' gains traction, January 8) is being unnecessarily alarmist if he thinks a press conference to launch the UK branch of Pegida heralds a major rise in anti-Muslim sentiment in the UK.

The press conference was held in a village by three failed politicians, who have all stood for public office and received derisory numbers of votes from clearly unimpressed voters, and as yet this crew has not been able to successfully mount a public demonstration.

As prime minister David Cameron has recently advocated in the UK Parliament, the best way to kill off political extremists in a mature, confident democracy is for them to have their say on a public platform and then see their cause shrivel away once their ideas are exposed to the contempt or indifference of the electorate.

Rather than this half-baked press conference held in the middle of nowhere, a better indication of the sentiment of the British public is in the half a million petition signatures raised in a matter of days protesting against Donald Trump’s mendacious anti-Muslim statements.

Jonathan Campbell-James, Dubai

A wise decision on selfie pair

I refer to the article Men arrested for New Year's Eve Dubai fire selfie released (January 10). Self censorship and moral conduct should be based on the principle of no harm to another person, family, society, country and customs and culture.

This is one red line that has to be drawn by each individual for himself or herself. The UAE justice system understood that in the case of the above instances they meant no ill will, hence the decision.

Name withheld by request

I haven’t seen the photo myself, but it was discussed among colleagues. Posting a selfie with the burning hotel in the background is a horrible idea.

It demonstrates ignorance to a potential tragedy. And depending on how it was interpreted, it could have looked like they were taking responsibility for starting the fire. This is the impression I got from the article.

Cara Tabron, Dubai