Ardern vowed never to utter the name of the twin-mosque gunman as she opened a sombre session of parliament. AFP
Ardern vowed never to utter the name of the twin-mosque gunman as she opened a sombre session of parliament. AFP
Ardern vowed never to utter the name of the twin-mosque gunman as she opened a sombre session of parliament. AFP
Ardern vowed never to utter the name of the twin-mosque gunman as she opened a sombre session of parliament. AFP

Feedback

The aftermath of the Christchurch attacks

Our readers have their say on Emiratisation, Dubai perfumes and Jacinda Ardern

Letters to the Editor

March 19, 2019

  • English
  • Arabic

I refer to your article New ­Zealand's Jacinda Ardern vows to never speak Christchurch ­killer's name (March 19).

She is a real leader and a lovely human being. By condemning such heinous crimes, New Zealand’s prime minister has won the hearts of people from all around the world.

Shabbir Baliwala, Dubai

This initiative taken by the New Zealand prime minister should be followed by everyone. When such a tragedy occurs, we must never put the perpetrators of terror attacks in the spotlight, never allow their heinous voices to be heard.

Our efforts should instead be focused on the victims. It is our duty to give a platform for those who have been struck by this tragedy.

Ron Cunningham, Abu Dhabi

Well said. Everyone should take a leaf out of her book. Why must we give free publicity to the terrorists? This is exactly what we are doing by naming those who take innocent lives.

Jan Dumny, Felixstowe

I am truly impressed by Jacinda Ardern. She is a great leader and does not come off as condescending as some others.

Michele Tuttle, UK

Everyone has a role to play in the UAE’s economy

I refer to Gillian Duncan's article UAE government to help create 30,000 new private sector jobs for Emiratis (March 18).

Everyone has a role to play in this country. This is a good move from the government.

Kristina Margit, Dubai

Sniffing out a bargain in Dubai, the fragrant city

I write in reference to Justin Thomas' article A ­passion for perfume is deep in the region's psyche (March 17).

This article truly portrays the Middle East’s relation to perfumes very accurately.

I believe that Dubai in particular is very much a city of perfumes. It is known for its global perfume market.

Whenever someone visits Dubai or other parts of the UAE, they must take back home lovely ­fragrances that remind them of the country.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru

Read more from Aya Iskandarani
more from Janine di Giovanni
While you're here
Volunteers offer workers a lifeline

Community volunteers have swung into action delivering food packages and toiletries to the men.

When provisions are distributed, the men line up in long queues for packets of rice, flour, sugar, salt, pulses, milk, biscuits, shaving kits, soap and telecom cards.

Volunteers from St Mary’s Catholic Church said some workers came to the church to pray for their families and ask for assistance.

Boxes packed with essential food items were distributed to workers in the Dubai Investments Park and Ras Al Khaimah camps last week. Workers at the Sonapur camp asked for Dh1,600 towards their gas bill.

“Especially in this year of tolerance we consider ourselves privileged to be able to lend a helping hand to our needy brothers in the Actco camp," Father Lennie Connully, parish priest of St Mary’s.

Workers spoke of their helplessness, seeing children’s marriages cancelled because of lack of money going home. Others told of their misery of being unable to return home when a parent died.

“More than daily food, they are worried about not sending money home for their family,” said Kusum Dutta, a volunteer who works with the Indian consulate.

Middle EastDubaiUAE GovernmentNew Zealand