I was glad to see your story about Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi describing national service as "a medal of honour for the UAE citizens" (RAK Crown Prince enrols for national service, October 24).
This is a demonstration of the essence of true leadership – leading by example.
Sylvester Ajiloseda, Dubai
There’s just one word needed to describe the Crown Prince’s decision: respect.
Mohammed Aden Elmi, Norway
Rising rents are hitting budgets
With regard to your story, Rent rise a big concern for UAE expats, HSBC survey shows (October 23), it seems to me the odds are stacked heavily in favour of landlords.
This is because tenants find it very difficult to leave their property easily, including the possibility of handling the financial burden of breaking the contract.
Tenants then have to face the additional financial burden of entering into a new contract, including paying the fees involved in that. These costs tend to be higher in the UAE than in the expatriate workers’ countries of origin.
All this suggests to me that there ought to be more regulation to prevent greedy landlords from exploiting their advantage.
I find most expatriates working in the UAE respect the country and its citizens. They are simply seeking a better life, not just for themselves but for their families.
Jen Bishop, Abu Dhabi
The rental prices in Dubai are increasingly unrealistic.
Inflation goes up and rents go up – but salaries remain the same.
John Paravalos, Dubai
Is travel really the new Rolex?
Like the woman described in your story (Travel is the new Rolex for UAE residents, October 25), we too would rather spend our money on travel.
In three years in the UAE, we have travelled to 15 countries, not including my birth country Brazil (twice, and going again next month) and our adopted home (New York City, three times).
However, I would still like a Rolex!
Rejane Serao, Abu Dhabi
I used to be materialistic but we now spend a lot of our money to assist those who need our help, such as Médecins Sans Frontières and other causes that genuinely need financial support to keep on doing their great work.
When I was a young girl, we had big houses and servants and all that, but I outgrew such unnecessary splendour a long time ago.
I still have Jaeger Lecoultre watches and so forth, and could easily buy 10 Rolexes, but I know what is really important in this short life of ours: leaving the world a better place than we found it.
The UAE Government is doing an amazing job in financing so many great causes so I think we should all follow suit and forget about indulging ourselves day after day.
Brigitte von Bulow, Abu Dhabi
Abra attracts its first passengers
In response to your editorial about the new abra service in Khor Al Maqtaa (An abra to make Abu Dhabi's canal truly grand, October 24), I do think I will use it – but only in winter.
Shahin Iqbal, Abu Dhabi
Tradition is always beautiful. This service will bring a bit of romance back to Abu Dhabi.
Name withheld by request
Israel provokes Arab anger
Tel Aviv is using Arab anger at ongoing desecrations of Al Haram Al Sharif in Jerusalem to justify expanding its colonies (By hook or by crook, settlers rack up gains in East Jerusalem, October 24).
The deliberate provocation by Israeli extremists is encouraging radical Arab groups. The Israelis benefit from this by gaining an excuse not to deal with the Palestinians.
Israeli settlers who continue to build in the occupied West Bank make the two-state solution increasingly unlikely.
For Israel’s friends abroad, this, the military assault on Gaza and similar acts seem baffling and counterproductive.
These episodes have not undercut the fundamental commitment of Israel’s allies to its right to live in peace and security but, as the British Parliament’s overwhelming vote to recognise Palestine as a state shows, Israel has drained the patience and trust of its supporters. Many now believe Netanyahu prefers a permanent state of war to a difficult peace.
Samaoen Osman, South Africa
