Gold cannot keep people motivated to stay fit for long

A reader calls for more community parks and playgrounds to help people stay fit. Other topics: Scotland vote, Emirati culture, ISIL, jaywalking

A reader calls for more community parks and playgrounds that will help people to stay fit. Paulo Vecina / The National

In reference to your article 'Dubai stone' proves difficult to shift (September 14), it is good that people are encouraged to do more exercise to keep themselves fit and healthy, but is the method of encouragement sustainable? How long can you lure individuals with gold? Moreover, everyone understands the necessity to keep fit.

I think in the long term gold will not help those who are knowingly making the mistake of eating junk food and living a sedentary lifestyle. Instead, the UAE should build more parks and playgrounds, which people of every locality can access easily and for free.

Manish Sharma, Dubai

Scots’ issue isn’t all about economics

The opinion article Why Alex Salmond doesn't really want a yes vote in Scotland (September 14) just weighs in on rhetoric. It doesn't say anything new.

If you really want to know how the Scots think, you have to listen to them. It isn’t all about economics. It’s about calling Scotland, Scotland, not the UK.

Jen Bishop, Abu Dhabi

David Cameron never thought that anyone would want to be free from the United Kingdom. His arrogance has put him in precisely the position that Alex Salmond imagined it would. Scotland’s “subsidy junkies” will no longer be a drain on the economy of the UK.

John Curran David, Dubai

It might be true if you only take the perspective of economic gain for the territory. But being a proud independentist Catalan, I ought to say there is much more in a “yes” vote than only money: historical heritage as an independent land should be enough for admitting that financial support is good, but self-recognition and walking my own way is the highest ambition.

Florenz Egea, Dubai

Take opinion from Emiratis

The article about the state of Emirati cultural heritage, The history of the future (September 13), was full of opinion from western academics telling us what Emiratis feel about their culture.

I would have preferred to hear Emiratis telling me how they view their culture and whether they think the new museums will be a threat or will support the local culture.

Gareth Jones, Abu Dhabi

ISIL a disgrace for Islam and Muslims

ISIL should stop calling themselves the Islamic State (Australia sends 600 troops to UAE to prepare for ISIL campaign, September 15). They are neither Islamic nor are they working on the grounds of Islam. This is not what our religion stands for. We are ashamed that such people exist.

Mehak Mannan, Abu Dhabi

Another westerner has been beheaded by ISIL. Briton David Haines, who went to Syria to help the refugees, became a political pawn in the hands of brutal and remorseless extremists. I think many people are no longer volunteering to help the refugees there and risking their lives. Wars are always frightening, but ISIS is pure evil. So no effort should be spared to crush them. We must unite in this fight. Meanwhile, I am praying for the families of all those who were slaughtered.

Brigitte von Bulow, Abu Dhabi

Crosswalks will prove beneficial

I understand that people should not jeopardise their lives by walking across busy streets, especially when there are foot bridges nearby (Pedestrians opt for jaywalking over safer bridge near Abu Dhabi Mall, September 11), but when temperatures are high, most people will not exert themselves to climb up a bunch of stairs. The bridge was put up when Al Salam Street – now called Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street – was closed for the construction of the tunnel and the traffic was rerouted on the street in front of the mall.

Now that the road is open, I really don’t know why the municipality does not put a crosswalk there, or put a modern overpass with better escalators. The existing overpasses seem to be impractical.

Tom Plant, Abu Dhabi