An awesome act by Mohammed Al Nuaimi (UAE lawyers want 'Good Samaritans' protected, September 13). I hope this good young man will be saved, as he had saved and cared for others.
Natasha Clemmensen, Dubai
The initial few moments can make a big difference. In the West, many people have been saved by Good Samaritans. Because of legal complexities, many people hesitate to do the right thing.
I salute Mr Al Nuaimi for doing what’s right.
Aziza Al Busaidi, Dubai
No end to agony of Palestinians
It is sad to know that several hundred Palestinian factory workers will lose their jobs once the relocation of the SodaStream factory takes place (No work for hundreds of Palestinians as SodaStream leaves West Bank, September 10). Also, those granted permission to work in Israel do not seem at ease since their travel time has increased significantly, making work all the more challenging.
I cannot imagine how difficult it must be for the female workers to leave homes and return only after 16 to 18 hours. These poor workers cannot switch jobs given the high rates of unemployment. I sincerely pray that Allah eases their hardships and agony.
Fatima Suhail, Sharjah
There are ways to save water
The article about the drought in California (Golden State's big thirst, September 13) reminded me of my visit to the state this summer.
I noted to one of my friends that there seemed to be a lot of people who were ignoring the water restrictions to keep their grass green. Then I found out that there are companies that paint the grass so it doesn’t need to be watered. That’s great.
Katie Marie, Abu Dhabi
Passports are held illegally
Even though employers cannot legally keep passports of their workers, some companies continue to flout the rules (UAE employers not allowed to keep in custody passport of workers, September 13).
My brother’s employer is one such example. He has to file a request for release a number of days prior to the date he intends to travel on. We cannot even get his passport when a photocopy is required for other legal purposes. The procedure is lengthy and very difficult.
Name withheld by request
I briefly worked for a law firm that told me that they were going to hold my passport. They admitted it was illegal, but their defence was this: “everyone does it”. I didn’t let them process my visa, and went elsewhere.
Majdel Musa, Dubai
It’s time to enforce the law rather than keep hearing about it. Everyone knows many companies still keep the passports of their employees.
Dav Davm, Dubai
Indian state poll raises hopes
Finally an encouraging picture has emerged from the Indian state of Bihar, where all secular political parties have decided to jointly take on the BJP, which poses a threat to India's secularism and pluralism (Modi faces tough elections challenge in Bihar next month, September 11). India's oldest political party, Congress, has shown maturity and prudence when it accepted 40 seats offered by the regional secular heavyweights, Rashtriya Janata Dal and Janata Dal United, to contest in the impending state poll, as Congress now realises that it has lost weight.
Had it shown this sensibility and prudence a year ago, it could have acted as a bulwark against prime minister Narendra Modi’s “sectarian political forces” and defeated them.
The secular coalition formed in Bihar gives solace to the people of India, especially minority communities who are concerned that India’s secularism and pluralism are at stake. I am sure the new political front will be able to counter the divisive politics of the BJP.
Abdul Lateef Koladikkal, Abu Dhabi
