With reference to your news report Sheikh Nahyan joins Copts for Easter celebrations (April 13), I really admire the ruling family. They are humble, modest and the people's people. No wonder everyone loves them so much.
Nisreen M Omari, Dubai
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak’s gesture reflects a fundamental fact: the UAE has embraced all religions and cultures and has helped them live together in harmony. The UAE has proved that we can coexist in peace. Thank you UAE.
Michael El-Gawly, Germany
What a wonderful act of solidarity and understanding. Bravo.
Jeffrey Martin, Dubai
US airlines can’t match Etihad’s standard
I refer to the article Open skies forum tests claims (April 13). My father-in-law flew as a pilot for over 30 years with Delta. My mother-in-law flew for American Airlines for 25 years as a flight attendant.
The old US companies are no longer what they used to be. Frankly, they are no longer competitive on price and on service. The slide began when Delta, which was trying to slash costs, started to outsource many of its services. To cut a long story short, I have been flying Etihad for the past three years and have no plans to use US carriers to travel to the US or anywhere else, if I can use Etihad instead. With Etihad, I am treated like family even in economy class. Good luck, Etihad, in this legal battle.
Janet Humphrey, Abu Dhabi
Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways aren’t always the cheapest. Plain and simple, Emirates offers unsurpassed customer service and comfort when flying. These airlines are top rated because of that, not on account of their fares.
Carmen Page, Dubai
Demand for fakes will endure
Regarding the report Don't 'fund terrorism' by buying fake goods (April 14), I have had my share of them. I no longer buy fakes, but if you think about it, this issue is not limited to the UAE. It's a worldwide phenomenon. And the demand for imitation products is always going to be there because not many people can afford to buy the originals.
Rejane Serao, Dubai
No time to look after the elderly
Your editorial Elderly have the right to a life of dignity (April 15) is relevant. I'm not sure how the elderly are taken care of in other countries, but in the US, they are pretty much treated as if they were a disposable commodity.
It wasn’t always like that. I remember when I was little, we always had a grandpa or grandma, or even a great aunt living with us until they passed.
But that’s when mothers stayed home and raised families. Now, both parents have to work, the children go to aftercare or some other after-school thing and the old are tossed into nursing homes and you visit them on a holiday. It’s sad but true.
Sussie Farrell, US
Blame driving instructors
Regarding your editorial Driving schools are safety pillars (April 12), instructors do not teach that one should stay in the right lane on a highway and never overtake from the right.
This is the single biggest difference between driving in the UAE and in developed countries. It is also a key factor in many accidents.
Often, the chaos on the highway could be avoided by having a system that leaves the left lanes clear. I tried to explain this to some people, but they did not understand as they were not taught this at the driving school.
I am sure that many driving instructors are not familiar with this rule. It is time for the schools to achieve the level of those in developed countries.
It’s a pity that the country has such good roads but that they are so unsafe.
Dar Neokk, Dubai
