IPL plays its part in UAE’s businesses

A reader says cricket matches like IPL will prove to be a boon for the UAE in every sense. Other topics: Umm Al Quwain, school fees, religious tolerance, London attackers

A reader says cricket has neither generated such euphoria before nor brought the prospects of financial windfall across various sectors as the Indian Premier League has done this time around. Pawan SiShow more

The Indian Premier League matches being played in the UAE have generated a lot of excitement (Premier product, April 18).

Money is likely to flow from all sources and almost everybody will benefit. From the hospitality and travel and tourism industries to transportation, health care, food and beverages industries, all are going to witness a boom in the coming weeks, given the rising enthusiasm for cricket in this country.

The UAE is considered to be one of the safest and most happening places to host such big sporting events. Its easy accessibility from all parts of the world has further added to its advantage.

Fatima Murtaza Moti, Abu Dhabi

UAE’s religious tolerance an example for all

Your article, Thousands mark Christian Good Friday (April 19), is an indication of how tolerant and wonderful this country is. I am an American/British citizen who has lived in the UAE for the past two years and have been very impressed with the tolerance and friendliness of the people of this country.

I read The National everyday, cover to cover. I tell my friends and family back home how wonderful people are here.

I wish others would follow the example of tolerance and acceptance that Emiratis have for others. It would make the world a better and more peaceful place to live in. I truly love it here.

Virginia Wilson, Abu Dhabi

Dramatic rise in tenants in UAQ

Umm Al Quwain has witnessed a drastic growth in its population in recent times thanks to rental hikes in Dubai and neighbouring emirates that have compelled people to relocate (UAQ needs bigger malls, say residents, April 17).

While the emirate offers affordable housing, it requires a lot more development in terms of infrastructure and retail. It is lagging behind some other emirates where residents have plenty of options and shopping malls to choose from. It is unfair to the residents of Umm Al Quwain who have to commute to other emirates to do their shopping.

Fatima Suhail, Sharjah

Is it just me or are there others as well who see that this is something similar to what happened in 2008 (Sharjah rents rise as Dubai property crunch drive residents north, April 9). Housing is a basic necessity like food and water. If it keeps on inflating beyond limits, there will be a point where people will not be able to afford it.

Why is nothing being done to regulate this? Some people shell out 60 per cent to 80 per cent of their income on housing.

Moiz SA, Sharjah

Can UAE sentence London attackers?

The news report UAE leadership travel to London to support injured sisters (April 13) says: "It is thought the women left their door unlocked because they were staying in the hotel as part of a large family group."

That would be OK here in the UAE, or elsewhere in the GCC, but unfortunately not in any western country, and certainly not a capital city like London.

I think that, in this particular case, it would be good if the culprits of this vicious attack could be sent here to the UAE for sentencing and punishment.

Richard Avery, Dubai

Why are children held over fees?

Punishing children over non-payment of fees is outrageous (Investigation into Sharjah private school that took pupils, April 15).

However, the parents are also to blame for not paying the fees. Schools usually send reminders over fee payments. Schools here are businesses, so why should children not be excluded when parents don’t pay?

Sylvia Moore, Dubai

Arrest those who detained the children.

If a school detained my child, I would just walk in and get them and if school members tried to stop me, it would be an unwise move on their part.

Brett Pearson, Abu Dhabi

In America there is a Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act in place, which basically means that no school official or employee can discuss a student’s or parent’s information with others. The UAE needs to have a similar law to protect children and their parents from schools releasing personal information.

Dolores Basilio, US