Blaming expatriates in UAE is not always right
I want to share my opinion on Peter Hellyer's article Expatriates in a bubble can export wrong image of the UAE (Aug 6).
I agree with the author on the inadequate exposure of many expats to Emirati culture. It's a matter of regret that so many of us do not seek more cultural enrichment through interaction with others.
But in one article Mr Hellyer mentioned that he suspects that many young Emiratis also "know nothing at all [about the UAE's past] and aren't very interested" (UAE has gone through its own steady and smooth spring, June 25). The situation of the expats is sad, but that of the Emiratis is quite similar.
I would also like to disagree with Sarah Bartlett's comment on this article (We must try to assimilate into the culture we live in, Aug 7).
The fundamental difference between the UK (or the US, Canada and Australia) and the UAE is in the expectation of assimilation into the culture. In this country, immigrants spend a relatively short span of time.
It's a prerogative of the country to offer or not to offer citizenship to outsiders. The country has chosen not to offer citizenship and possibly for good reason. Therefore, assimilating into the country's culture cannot be a natural choice for expats. To me, the words "understanding" and "respecting" would have been more appropriate in this context. But I agree with Mr Hellyer that individuals stand to gain through cultural exchange and understanding.
Paul Lebrun, Abu Dhabi
I agree with Peter Hellyer that we must try to understand the culture and the people of the country we live in. Many of my peers at Higher Colleges of Technology travelled from their residences to the college and other places but they seldom met or interacted with any people. Unlike them, I had many friends from different communities.
When I returned to my country, I had a better understanding of the cultures of the UAE and those of the people from other countries.
Tom Pattillo, Canada
Don't point finger at Brotherhood
Should we be surprised about the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt (Syria will remain in stalemate, July 31)? The ideology of the Arab Spring has been that if you are on the "right side", all means are allowed to grab power. And of course everybody believes they are on the right side.
Wim Roffel, The Netherlands
Syria donations are commendable
The donation of more than Dh6 million to displaced families in Jordan to mark Eid is a great gesture by the UAE (Big Heart campaign gives Dh6m to help 12,000 families this Eid, Aug 7).
I am very happy to know that the money donated by the Big Heart for Syrian Refugee Children campaign will help 12,000 families with an average of six children each.
As we celebrate Eid, we must remember that there are thousands of men women and children who do not get to eat two square meals a day. For them the celebration of Eid is a luxury.
Therefore all of us must donate generously. These activities should not stop. I pray that the almighty Allah keeps all of us well and safe.
Abbas Naqvi, Ras Al Khaimah
Causes for crimes often surprising
There are often long stories behind simple crimes which we never come to know. The report of suspected Iranian involvement in the kidnapping of the Dubai-based British national Yazasanpanah Yazdi, who has not been seen for six weeks, is one such case (Missing man case reveals UK-Iran link, Aug 7).
It's interesting to learn that addresses and other details, copied from Mr Yazdi's computer by investigators from the Serious Fraud Office when he lived in London, were passed to Tehran at the request of the Iranian authorities earlier this year.
Even if the UK snapped diplomatic relations with Iran, it understandably cooperated with the country secretly. Few can guess that such games are being played in the backyard. Who could also imagine that Mr Yezdi would prove to be such a prized catch for Iran? It's like the plot of a thriller.
Iris Smith, UK