Concern over CCTV cameras in the gym

Readers wonder over the motive of installing CCTV cameras in a gym. Other topics: politics and religion, tolerance, renewable energy, driverless car

Readers wonder why Fitness First has installed cameras in its changing rooms. Amy Leang / The National

I refer to the news report Gym members shocked as Fitness First installs CCTV cameras in changing rooms (November 8). I really can't think of any other reasons besides trying to prevent fights breaking out in changing rooms or to catch people who inject themselves with enhancement drugs or sell them. Either way, it's really not the best way to go about it.

Morvarid Jalali, Dubai

Legal or not, this is outrageous and sexist.

Samer Dabbas, Dubai

Why did they need to do it? This is the question I would ask before I make any comments about the company.

Veno Gamil, Dubai

Clarity needed on political Islam

It is strange that in the article Political Islam bars path to tolerance (November 6), you have highlighted the problem of politicisation of religion as a major obstacle to tolerance, but have not mentioned it in your leader about this very subject (Tolerance is a source of strength, November 6).

This affliction at present seems to affect Islam in particular and is surely a nettle to be grasped.

Even in the report, only Shiite political Islam is mentioned – but Takfiri Salafism is clearly a major feature in current conflicts involving politicised religion. Indeed, it is difficult to understand policy itself in places such as Syria, where the aim is said to be removing the Bashar Al Assad, an Alawite, although – many of the forces engaged in doing this are political Islamist in nature, many of whom are actually banned from operating in the UAE.

Confusion and contradiction seem to be features in this sensitive subject.

The UAE is a world example of leadership in the matter of Islam and tolerance. Let’s grasp the nettle.

Name withheld by request

UAE an example of tolerance

I would like to commend The National for its fantastic coverage of local and international issues. To me, it’s the best newspaper I have read in the region.

What prompted me to write this letter to you is your editorial Tolerance is a source of faith (November 6).

I have been visiting the UAE for many years. I am Catholic and I always felt that this country has a deep respect for other religions.

Paul Reaney, Australia

Scotland leader in renewables

In my home country, Scotland, renewable energy (mainly wind) accounted for 38 per cent of the power mix in 2014 (How the German people ushered in a green energy revolution, November 3). By the end of this year, that figure is forecast to increase to more than 43 per cent. Scotland is Europe’s renewable energy leader and a global renewable champion.

Michael Dowds, Dubai

It’s possible to usher in a green-energy revolution. Unfortunately, as everywhere else in the world, there’s still big corporations and politicians that are working very hard against this, simply because it means less money in their pockets. In order to getting away from “dirty” energy such as coal, governments need to rethink their stand on nuclear power.

Nicole Reischl Hughes, Abu Dhabi

Driverless car is the future

Regarding the article Welcome to the future: a peek into Dubai's driverless shuttle bus (November 4), driverless vehicles are the future of safe transport. In 30 years vehicles will have three driving modes: manual, semi-automatic and full automatic. Manual is a total human drive. Semi will be manual but prevent crashes or collisions, and full automatic will be the car driving 100 per cent.

Giles Heaton, Dubai