Teachers cannot instil Arabic if parents do not

Readers discuss how to improve Arabic language skills. Other topics: university attack, caste system, Address fire and Iran sanctions.

A reader says Arabic language skills need to start with the parents. Fatima Al Marzooqi / The National

As Rym Ghazal clearly states in her column (Why Arabic books don't sell as well as those in English, January 21), unless parents sit and read with their children in Arabic, a passion for reading may never materialise.

A teacher’s job is not to fulfil the role and responsibility of parents, but to support and reinforce reading habits initially developed at home.

Name withheld by request

Children receive 50 minutes of Arabic material per day in schools. How would that allow them to master the language sufficiently to read Arabic books?

We used to take French in primary school as literature, with the rest of the tuition all in Arabic until secondary school.

The base has to be founded from an early age. In my view, you can’t compare the Arabic language with French or English because it is more complex.

Raja Ennouri, Abu Dhabi

Dubai is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, a place where you can learn and embrace different cultures, but apparently seven out of 10 expatriates have little or no knowledge about the heritage, culture and traditions of the UAE.

We all need to realise the onus is on us to learn Arabic. All it requires is the time, patience and the initiative to learn – it would help us both personally and professionally.

Mathew Litty, Dubai

I believe the Government must take some initiative to teach expatriates Arabic.

Muhammad Asim Rashid, Dubai

University attack was ‘barbaric’

With regard to your news story, Death toll in Pakistan climbs to 21 after gunmen storm university (January 21), these attacks on Pakistan's youth must be strongly condemned.

It is barbaric and inhumane of this terrorist organisation to express their anger at the government by targeting students.

After more than 100 children were killed in an army school near Peshawar just over a year ago, it is heartbreaking to see yet another educational institution there come under attack.

It is disappointing to know that students are no longer safe in schools and universities in the city and have to live in constant fear.

As a Pakistani citizen, I express my deepest condolences but I am also confident that Pakistan will emerge stronger than before and will eradicate terrorism from its boundaries.

Fatima Suhail, Sharjah

This is very tragic. Why would they target innocent youths attending university?

Iffat Malik, Pakistan

This attack is just more proof that terrorists have no religion.

Amjad Khan, Dubai

Time to get rid of caste system

In reference to your editorial, Reform paths for India's caste system (January 21), my view is that the caste system is very wrong.

I hope to see the end of this old and nasty so-called right that some people believe they have over others. I hope this day will happen soon.

We are all human and neither the colour of our skin, culture, religion or the circumstances of our birth should be allowed to stand in the way of each of us achieving our full potential.

Brigitte von Bulow, Abu Dhabi

Orderly rescue deserves praise

Having watched your video (How The Address blaze unfolded through the eyes of Dubai's emergency services, January 21), one thing that impressed me is the orderly manner in which the civil defence and police handled the evacuation.

It is worthy of praise that despite the severity of the incident, the emergency services staff remained calm and composed and handled the situation in a professional manner.

Name withheld by request

Will Iran use its skills for peace?

In reference to your report about the lifting of sanctions against Iran (When the dollars start pouring in, what will Iran do? January 18), this is really a jubilant occasion for Tehran after a decade of economic isolation.

It is indeed, as president Hassan Rouhani said, a “golden page” in the history of Iran and this has been welcomed by the United Nations.

The United States – which ignored the warnings of its ally, Israel – and the EU deserve appreciation for the successful implementation of the deal.

We must hope that Iran will empathise with the political sensitivity of the region and will utilise its nuclear programme for peaceful purposes only, helping ensure stability and security.

PA Jacob, Oman