Not all violent acts should be called terrorism

Readers write about terror, the expatriate 'exodus', the Brexit and traffic black spots.

Readers debate the meaning of terrorism in light of the death of British MP Jo Cox. Matt Dunham / AP

I would like to comment on Faisal Al Yafai's opinion article about the Orlando nightclub shootings and the killing of British politician Jo Cox (The killing of a politician highlights the tangled politics of murder, June 21).

To me, terrorism means that the perpetrator, if still capable, is likely to harm or kill more people who have traits similar to the original victims of the offence.

Neither of these acts seemed quite like terrorism, but they both shared some elements of it.

Lisa Kereliuk, Abu Dhabi

When one person is killed, it is called murder as it is not aimed at destabilising a whole group of people (or nation) by causing suffering and chaos.

Unfortunately nowadays, in some cases, murderers and terrorists are being classified as mentally ill as an excuse for their violent acts.

Brigitte von Bulow, Abu Dhabi

Expatriates will come and go

I am not so concerned about the situation described in Potential 'mass exodus' of expats from UAE, expert says (June 20).

For every person leaving the UAE, there are another 10 who want to come here.

An income level that is not acceptable to one person may be ideal for somebody else. The cycle goes on.

Arfi Khan, Dubai

Tribute to a great leader

I refer to Rana Almutawa's article, A closer look at Sheikh Zayed's leadership needs to be developed (June 21).

I shook Sheikh Zayed’s hand and had the honour of talking to him many times while I was living in Abu Dhabi between 1970 and 1983.

I am proud of this. He was a great man.

Majid Goussous, Jordan

UK can prosper outside the EU

In reference to the British referendum (Cameron seizes the advantage in the Brexit campaign, June 20), if Britons want to live in Berlin, Calais or Saarbrücken within a permanently weak Eurozone, then they should vote to remain.

But if they want to live in London, Manchester or Edinburgh with the lush, green British countryside and the most ­vibrant business and cultural community in Europe, then they should vote to leave.

Britain can overtake Germany and Japan to become the world’s fourth largest economy. But only if it cast­s off the choking chains of gratuitous legislation from the highly self-paid, self-interested and self-appointed administrators of Luxembourg and Brussels.

Anthony Bellchambers, UK

Headline was inappropriate

I picked up your newspaper and saw the headline Uber alles? (June 21) on a story about the German team in the Euro 2016 football.

This is highly inappropriate and extremely offensive to any German. Some people seem to think that everything about Germany has to do with the Nazis.

Name withheld by request

Black spots need attention

I am writing about the safer roads initiative (Abu Dhabi road upgrades aim to reduce speed-related accidents, June 20).

There are regular car accidents at the end of the street where I live.

As part of the safer roads campaign it would be reassuring to know that black spots were at the top of the list, and that changes could be made to road layouts to avoid serious accidents in future.

Sarah Foote, Abu Dhabi

Nations must help refugees

The story More refugees on Earth than ever before, UN report shows (June 20) is shocking.

The most worrying scenario is that children are being denied a future.

While it is unlikely that there will be an immediate end to the crisis, it is the responsibility of world leaders to help refugees.

The wealthy nations must come forward with a helping hand and listen to the voices of the less fortunate.

Ramachandran Nair, Oman