Petrol price rise won’t affect drivers’ choice of cars

Readers say higher petrol costs won’t change the kind of vehicles we drive. Other topics: debt, fashion and the cost of living.

Readers say higher petrol costs won’t change the kind of vehicles we drive. Sammy Dallal / The National

I am not so sure that drivers will change their vehicle due to the cost of fuel (Petrol price hike to encourage switch to 'greener' cars, July 25).

My daughter drives from Ras Al Khaimah to Dubai every day for work. She lives on her own and supports herself, and attends college part time, on a salary of Dh6,000 a month.

She used to drive a small car to save on petrol but, through no fault of her own, she was involved in two accidents within 40 days. For this reason, she has purchased a used SUV, and she now feels safer and is given more road respect.

The petrol-price increase will definitely affect her lifestyle. However, she grew up in the UAE and does not want to leave, because most of her long-time school friends and her family are here.

As for me, I am a single mother with two pre-teens to put through school. I will also be hit hard by a petrol-price increase because every dirham counts in my home.

K Bella, Ras Al Khaimah

People should buy greener cars and I hope they do. However, I don't think that this price rise will be high enough to have that effect.

S Calderwood, Abu Dhabi

The price of oil has taken a nose­dive, so shouldn't the price of petrol at the pump also fall?

Until the standard of driving on our roads improves and drivers becomes less aggressive, I'll be sticking with my SUV.

It is not easy getting a bus when there is only one every hour, the nearest bus stop is a 20-minute walk away, the roads have no pavements for pedestrians, and it’s 45 degrees outside.

Anthony S, Al Ain

UAE has all the right ingredients

I was impressed by the Friday sermon, The importance of religious acceptance (July 24).

The UAE is an Islamic country, and it is also developing a multi­cultural society. This is the perfect recipe for peace, ­security and progress.

Name withheld by request

Cost of food is taking its toll

UAE residents fear rising cost of living (July 24) struck a chord with me.

When I arrived in the UAE six years ago, my supermarket shopping bill was Dh700. Today, the same basket of food costs Dh1,200. The cost of utilities and telecommunications have also risen, and it is becoming a very tight squeeze every month just to survive.

Name withheld by request

MS sufferer’s story inspires

I was touched by the story of Zaid (The plight of Abu Dhabi MS sufferer, July 25).

Back in the 1980s, I knew a man in New Jersey who was also afflicted with multiple sclerosis. Regardless of this, he led a very independent life.

Thirty years later I still remember him because he inspired me so much.

I am sure that Zaid would like nothing better than to live a healthy life, and I feel very sorry for him.

Monica Carver, Dubai

Ready-to-wear fashions praised

I refer to Cutting through the confusion: how to choose a tailor to custom-make your clothes (July 24).

There are amazing tailors in the UAE, I admit, but there are also amazing clothes shops where you can buy very beautiful fashions that are designed and made here or in other Arab countries.

I love to browse in those shops and have bought quite a few dresses.

Brigitte von Bulow, Abu Dhabi

Mosques have a role in education

I agree with Fatima Al Shamsi's opinion article, Mosques should be the centre of our communities (July 24).

While I haven’t seen it in the Gulf or in India, many mosques in the West and elsewhere in the world also act as community centres.

They have offices, reception areas and a small gallery that helps explain the history of ­Islam to visitors.

In this region, mosques are usually reserved for prayers, and even many Muslim worshippers are ignorant about the history, culture and traditions of their religion.

In Hong Kong, I knew of a group of students who used to visit a mosque to learn about ­Islamic culture and heritage.

I think the Gulf states should use mosques to explain how Muslim civilisation has flourished from its beginning in the time of the Prophet.

Mohammad Arif, India