Father’s role is as crucial as that of a mother

Readers recognise the important role father play in the welfare of their children. Other topics: customised labels, ISIL, China's ban on fasting, signboards

Readers recognise the important role that fathers play in the welfare and development of their children. Sarah Dea / The National

I agree with the views expressed by Amal Al Jaberi in her article A father's role in a child's life is about more than paying the bills (June 21). Fathers should be just as involved as the mother in nurturing a child. A child learns something different from each parent.

This is why it’s important for fathers to spend time with their children at home whenever possible.

Patricia Cooksey, Abu Dhabi

A father plays an important role in a child’s life. But what is most important is love and affection. That’s what children need to develop.

Don’t be lured by labels

A growing number of food and beverage companies are allowing customers to have their names printed on their products (Why I might drink 'Rymto' this Ramadan, June 18).

I became excited about having my name printed on a Nutella jar when the company launched this service at Dubai Mall a few months ago. I stood in a queue for several hours for a customised label.

Of course, most products offering these labels are doing so to increase sales and maximise revenues. I personally prefer plain water or lemon juice to fruit drinks that are full of sugar and preservatives. Water and citrus juices are healthier options.

Fatima Suhail, Sharjah

ISIL is spreading like ebola

The comparison between ISIL and Starbucks is not appropriate (ISIL makes the US wake up and smell the coffee, June 18) because it undermines the serious nature of the threat that the group poses to the region and to the international community.

Perhaps a comparison with ebola would be more appropriate. But let’s not wait 40 years and for two American doctors before we take action.

Randall Mohammed, Dubai

China’s ban on fasting illogical

The report China bans fasting for public workers during Ramadan (June 19) was disturbing. Uighurs face many hardships and discrimination.

My parents had to run away from that part of the world just to stay alive. The Chinese government wants to – and does its best to – control us even though we are not Chinese citizens.

Nargiza Kurbanova, Canada

There is no way to know if someone is fasting or not if that person does not talk about it. So I think it may not really be that hard for Muslims to fast in China. No one can be forced to eat or drink so there really doesn’t seem to be any problem.

Brigitte von Bulow, Abu Dhabi

This is an amazingly pointless ruling. What are they going to do, force feed the population?

Helen Morgan, Dubai

Lower the height of signboards

The new Onwani system will make it easier for people to access every location in Abu Dhabi. What we have to do now is get used to this change.

However, I would like to point out that the signboards with the building numbers and QR codes have been placed too high. This makes it difficult for short people or those of average height to access them to scan the QR codes.

Lowering the height of these boards will enable everyone to make use of the QR facility.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi