Airport adds another feather to Dubai’s cap

A reader hails Dubai airports success in overtaking London Heathrow as the world's busiest for international passenger traffic. Other topics: divorce, UAE's tolerance, anti-US feeling, illegal visas, Talent Hunt

A reader is delighted that Dubai International Airport has overtaken London Heathrow as the world's busiest for international passenger traffic. Pawan Singh / The National
Powered by automated translation

Many congratulations to Dubai on taking over Heathrow as the world's busiest airport (It's official: Dubai International is world's busiest airport, December 31). It not only handles the most number of passengers, but has world-class facilities. Dubai is truly amazing. No wonder it figures among the hottest and best cities in the world.

Fatima Suhail, Sharjah

UAE respects all religions

The UAE shows tolerance to all religions and communities (Roman Catholics welcome UAE's policy of religious tolerance, December 28). But it would have been ideal if the headline of your story referred to all Christians instead of Roman Catholics.

Marin Anwar, Dubai

Many reasons for divorce

There are various factors for divorce (Complex social change is reason for the UAE's high divorce rate, December 30). For example, excessive craving for material wealth and pleasure can lead to divorce. This may be one of the reasons for a high number of cases in the UAE, where people run after money and cars. Many individuals also marry for material benefits. That's a recipe for disaster.

Abbas Ali, Abu Dhabi

Earlier, young people often got married for the sake of the family. But now they are no longer willing to do that. Nor are they keen to marry for the sake of convenience. They are now looking for love.

John Paravalos, Dubai

Culture, religious identity and nationality are important in marriages, but people should not marry only on the basis of these parameters. Some individuals who are sometimes forced down this path discover that they’re not compatible to each other.

Each individual has his or her own mind to select a potential future partner and they should be allowed that freedom.

Paul Williams, Dubai

There was a time when people used to marry for family obligations and for the sake of progeny. The duties of the husband and wife were clearly defined: the man would go to work, while the woman would look after the household. and children. But it’s no longer the case.

Today women are educated and financially independent. They decide about their future. So there is no reason why a woman would want to marry for any reason other than love. But the problem is that, the world today is much bigger.

Our lives are no longer restricted within the boundaries of our villages and communities. This explains why people stayed together in the past. Today nothing can force us to do so.

Name withheld by request

Curb illegal visa charges

I am glad you have highlighted the illegal practice of charging employees for their visa renewal (Staff forced to pay for visa renewal, December 29). This story reminded me of an incident. Two months ago, a cleaner in my area told me that she has to pay Dh12,000 to an individual every two years for her visa renewal. The government should look into this issue.

CDM Wackens, Dubai

Talent Hunt was useful

With reference to the article Graduates get to grips with speed dating-style job interviews (December 16), my friends and I each had about five interviews at Talent Hunt with companies from which you usually do not hear back. But the best news is that I've got an offer from one of them. So my experience at the event was very good.

V Maria, Dubai

Hard to increase anti-US feeling

I refer to the article Pentagon cites ISIL threat for withholding prisoner abuse photos (December 25). The Pentagon said: "Making the photos public would facilitate the enemy's ability to conduct information operations and could be used to increase anti-American sentiment," It is obviously not possible to "increase anti-American sentiment". Nor would it encourage further attacks on US troops.

Peter Hindrup, Abu Dhabi