We really are fortunate in having the Abu Dhabi Classics series of concerts (An orchestra and soloist in perfect harmony, April 30). In the past two or three months we have been enchanted by orchestras from Leipzig, Budapest, and now Milan – all at the very top of their game.
The concerts are thrilling and the spectacle and acoustics of the Emirates Palace auditorium are world class – to match the artists and musicians.
Not only has the music been extraordinarily good this season, but your reviewer, Rob Garratt, writes superbly on a wide range of musical events. He clearly has an ear for the classical masterpieces but writes with similar verve about The Who and even Robbie Williams. We are twice blessed.
Doris Willis, Abu Dhabi
Many ways to deal with Illegal ivory trade
I agree with Peter Hellyer that it is a good thing that the UAE has a history of joining in opposing the trade in illegal ivory (Don't forget the elephants, May 1). However, there must be a better way to deal with the contraband than destruction, which only makes ivory more rare and precious.
Prohibition will never eliminate the demand for “white gold”. Possibly the confiscated shipments could be safely irradiated immediately upon discovery to prevent inventory “loss” by making it easily detectable.
Subsequent DNA identification of each sample would certainly eliminate the traffic in forged documentation, which seems to be a major concern of CITES and other regulators.
The profits from the sale of “legalised ivory” could go to day and night drone monitoring of the elephant habitat and training of local wildlife rangers (rhino horn has same problem and solution).
I suggest we turn the problem over to Masdar to develop a practical procedure at the earliest.
Michael Creamer, Abu Dhabi
Culture is about assimilation
The point of the argument in Taryam Al Subaihi's opinion article In the creep of progress, our culture gets lost (May 1) is well-taken. However, there may be a couple of points worth noting.
Culture is not static – it doesn’t stand still. The best, most rich cultures ultimately synthesise new cultures and peoples into them. But what a great point about identity. What is the Emirati identity – both to themselves and to the world at large?
I would argue that those who hold certain traditions close have the responsibility – since they have the desire to see them continue – to perpetuate them to their children.
There is a lot of foreign culture that is harmful and ultimately negative to traditional values and beliefs, so get rid of them.
One memory I will always cherish and respect when I think of the UAE is when sitting and waiting for a movie to start at a cinema in Abu Dhabi, a group of young men were being loud and obnoxious. Then one Emirati man – maybe in his 30s – scolded and berated them for being rude and disrespectful and told them to stop acting so shamefully.
I stood up and applauded him. None of us heard a peep from those boys for the rest of the night.
The "clash" has been going on for decades. Strong cultures will synthesise the best features into their own. It's up to everyone to reject certain aspects (fast food, bad driving, conspicuous consumption and the rest).
Name withheld by request
Imam’s words lost in translation
Regarding the article Outdated religious laws must be changed, UAE forum hears (April 29), I think the imam's words were lost in translation. The words "outdated" and "changed" were not used and I noticed that he has not been quoted saying that. Also, the quote by Ibn Masoud needs to be verified. It's possibly a translation issue.
Saif Ali Badweih, Dubai
