Fighter pilot Mariam Al Mansouri does her bit for freedom

Readers praise air force pilot Mariam Al Mansouri for leading the UAE’s efforts in the fight against ISIL. Other topics: teachers, the hijab and the Eid holiday.

Readers praise air force pilot Mariam Al Mansouri for leading the UAE’s efforts in the fight against ISIL. Wam

I have a message for Major Mariam Al Mansouri (UAE's female fighter pilot leads air strikes against ISIL, September 25).

I do not know you, yet you are risking your life for my life and my freedom. Can I ever thank you enough?

Gabriele Redinger, Germany

All women around the world should be proud of Major Al Mansouri, and we should try to follow her example.

Mihaela Soar, New Zealand

I don’t understand why servicemen and women’s identities are published, but I do wish good luck to those who are looking after their country.

Tarkighan Faibee, Cameroon

Mixed reaction to headscarf ban

In my opinion, it is unfair to ­impose a ban on the hijab in international sport (Ban on headscarf in sport is discriminatory, Sep­tember 26).

Religion and sport are two completely different things that should not be mixed. To wear a headscarf is a woman’s personal choice and this should not be a deterrent in her sporting career.

Games should be played in the right spirit and as long as this condition is met, it is all fair play. The Qatari women’s basketball team made the right decision by withdrawing from the games following the ban on the hijab.

Fatima Suhail, Abu Dhabi

This is a tricky question. In the sense that we are all entitled to our religious beliefs, then women should definitely not be banned from wearing the hijab while playing sport.

However, if it is a security or health and safety issue, then maybe it needs considering.

I read about a young woman who was go-kart racing. Her hijab got caught in the wheels and she was badly injured.

Belinda Wallington, Oman

Of course it isn’t acceptable to ask these basketballers to remove their hijabs.

It’s like saying to a Carmelite nun that she has to remove her veil before entering a hospital, or like saying to an Amish woman that she’s not allowed to appear in public with her head cover.

Ahmad Bararnd, Dubai

Would it not be better to regulate the style of head covering so that it could be worn safely?

This would be like the regulation on swimming attire in international competition or the acceptable parameters for competitors’ outfits at Wimbledon.

Sarah Woodward, UK

Teaching is not the problem in schools

I don't think the standard of teachers is what's wrong with the education system (Licensing system for all teachers next year, September 25).

I think that licensing teachers might have the opposite to the ­intended effect.

Rather than improving things for children in the classroom, it may deter teachers from staying in what is already a highly stressful profession.

H Kadous, Dubai

How about also testing the principals and some of the other people that schools put in leadership roles?

ND Scott, Dubai

Congratulations on Games medal

I am writing in reference to Sheikh Juma wins bronze for UAE in double trap at Asian Games (September 26).

This is great news. Many congratulations to him; he has surely made his country proud.

I hope that the UAE team will come back with many medals. Good luck to them all.

Name withheld by request

Well done, Sheikh Juma. It was a great effort.

Lachlan McLellan, Abu Dhabi

Eid lasts longer for public employees

Public sector to get four-day weekend for Eid Al Adha (September 27) is good news for government employees.

However, it seems that public sector workers will only get Sunday off, which is nothing special.

M Perlade, Dubai

Revealing look at the country’s past

I enjoyed reading Emirati history like you've never heard it before (September 25).

The UAE really has come a long way in a very short time.

Maureen Norton, UK