It is not only cruel but criminal to keep wild animals confined to the walls of a house (Model's wild photo shoot highlights problems with big cats as pets, May 9).
Those who own big cats should face steep penalties. Their owners should set them free, understanding that they belong to the wild.
Fatima Suhail, Sharjah
Nobody can fill the void left by Sheikh Zayed
I enjoyed reading the story With risks come life's greatest rewards (May 10). Nobody can fill the void Sheikh Zayed left behind. All expatriates who knew him love him like their own father.
Mohammed Mubashir, Dubai
Sheikh Zayed empowered women and encouraged them to get an education. Sheikha Fatima carried on this legacy by being an advocate for women’s literacy, as well as women and children’s rights. Sheikh Zayed is a leader whom many should emulate.
Kristine Demchuk-Sinclair, Dubai
Dr Rafeeya Pasha met with kindness and was able to reunite with her family. Now she helps the less fortunate to unite with their families. May she live long and may her family be blessed.
Janet Humphrey, Abu Dhabi
Sheikh Zayed was an amazing personality. I respect him for his leadership and for what he has done for his country and his people.
Aasif Moin, India
I know what it feels like to leave behind your loved ones and live alone in a foreign land. It’s tough. Sheikh Zayed was a great man who realised that this could be a problem.
Shondale Jackson Pagano Galindo, Philippines
Where will local filmmakers go?
The explanation for pulling the plug on the Abu Dhabi Film Festival makes no sense to me (Abu Dhabi Film Festival to be closed down, May 7).
The Media Authority says that attracting international blockbusters like Fast and Furious 7 and Star Wars VII to film in the capital has created a platform for local talent. But where will independent filmmakers in the emirate showcase their movies if there is no film festival?
Cinema chains simply will not screen films such as From A to B without having gauged audience reaction first.
It’s sad that there will be no more intelligent, thought-provoking films to make up for another long, hot summer of noisy, mindless Hollywood dross.
Simon Ballinger, Abu Dhabi
Promote football among expats
Regarding the editorial It's football that wins (May 11), more promotion and marketing from the league is needed so that expatriates understand the league and the teams. Commentary needs to be in English, so that they can follow the games.
John Paravalos, Dubai
More televised live games with English commentary would stimulate more interest from expats who don’t speak Arabic. This might increase attendances at matches.
Simon Buckerfield, UK
Expatriates should be allowed to play in these teams. That will prompt them to watch national football matches live.
Tariq Khan, Dubai
Enforcement key to road safety
I agree that safety must be the top priority for Dubai's roads, including in relation to cyclists (The wrong kind of segregation, April 28).
That said, well-meaning regulations issued by Dubai only address those who cycle unsafely. These are largely low paid and low skilled workers.
We all need to be taught the rules of the road in languages we understand – cyclists and drivers alike – and those rules need to be strictly enforced in order to improve safety.
Name withheld by request