Enforce dress code at malls and hotels

Readers call for observance of modesty during Ramadan. Other topics: racial killings in US, Abu Dhabi restaurants, East Timor

Readers urge residents to dress modestly while visiting public places. Sarah Dea / The National

Expatriates get the wrong idea when they visit places such as Dubai Mall, where so many people walk around in inappropriate clothing (How to learn a little cultural sensitivity, June 22). No one talks to these people about their dress or enforces the dress code.

The majority of expatriates I know are respectful towards the culture of this country. It would have been helpful if people could borrow educative films from film libraries.

Kimberly Whittenberg Dezarn, Abu Dhabi

It's good that hotels are warning guests against dressing improperly during the holy month (hotels ask iftar guests to dress modestly, June 24). However, my colleagues and I saw some women dressed inappropriately at a hotel during iftar on Saturday.

Daniel Danoffre, Abu Dhabi

I wish the US would do this in certain situations. It’s ridiculous how some people dress. Respect not only culture but yourself as well.

Melissa Scott, US

Racial killings in US are worrying

According to the opinion article Race hate and gun crime are killing the US (June 21), there were 11,200 homicides with guns, of which 750 were "mass shootings".

This means that the “mass shootings” accounted for 6.7 per cent of the total homicide shootings. While this figure is not trivial, it pales by comparison with the total number of shooting homicides. What about the rest?

Restaurants must open later

I don't see any logic behind allowing these restaurants to operate during daytime to cater to those who do not observe fasts (Restaurants in Abu Dhabi that are open during the day during Ramadan, June 19). While many would argue that these places cater to those travelling or unable to cook, it still seems unfair. Those who are not fasting can either wait for these restaurants to open or cook their meals at home. At the end of the day, it is about respecting those who fast and not about tolerance or cultural sensitivity.

Fatima Suhail, Sharjah

Fasting or not is a personal choice. Tourists and those who are not fasting should not be forced to abstain from food and water. Ramadan is the time to learn tolerance and share the suffering and hardship with the poor and less fortunate. Do rich people close restaurants so as not to offend the poor who cannot afford to eat there? I do not stop cooking or serving meals to my family or friends when I decide to follow Lent or to go on a strict diet. I think it’s a great decision by the Abu Dhabi authorities.

Marina Bhandari, Abu Dhabi

As this country tries to diversify its economy, such moves are inevitable. These decisions will help the country to promote its tourism industry. All of these business are off the beaten path or have a curtain up. When I bought a takeaway coffee from Starbucks, I was advised to turn the label in and reminded not to drink until I arrived home.

Beverly Newell, Abu Dhabi

Wasted potential of East Timor

I dislike it when people say East Timor could be "another Bali" – even Bali doesn't deserve to have become what it has become (What's the Dili in East Timor? June 12). That said, the main air route to Dili is still Bali, and that involves spending at least one night there as most long-distance flights (including those on Emirates) get in at night and most flights to Dili leave during the day. There is a direct flight to Dili from Singapore three times a week, but it's expensive, and again flights from Dubai arrive in the evening.

As well as not having lighting for night flights, Dili airport is also disadvantaged by having a short runway – Baucau, the second largest city, has a much longer runway, but it’s 120 kilometres and a three-hour drive from Dili. Sadly, it’s now almost abandoned, despite having the potential to attract development outside Dili.

Ken Westmoreland, Dubai