Street food will add spice to life

A reader says a vibrant street-food culture will make life in the UAE more interesting. Other topics: ISIL, Indian railways, Haj, Eid holiday

A reader says a vibrant street-food culture will make our cities more interesting. Above, the private party company Ghaf Kitchen has recently launched a food truck in Dubai. Courtesy Ghaf Kitchen

I agree that in the UAE, where eating outside is a pleasure for most of the year, there ought to be an allowance made to let the street food industry ­develop (The case in favour of meals on wheels, October 6).

Although there are a couple of food vans in Dubai, a widespread street-food culture will add more colour and spice to our cities.

Saira Khatoon, Dubai

Intimidation will not help ISIL to realise its goal

The murder of the British aid worker Alan Henning by ISIL terrorists is horrifying (ISIL beheads British hostage Alan Henning, October 3). Killing foreigners, especially those who are there to help people for whom these terrorists claim to be fighting, will not benefit them in any way. There is a limit to tolerance. Once that limit is breached, one can become hard to deal with. Terrorist organisations such as ISIL are already realising this.

Killing one or two people will not help them realise their goals. Those actions will rather prove to be their nemesis.

As for Henning’s murder, it shows their desperation. Psychologists will tell you that when a person is cornered, he or she is likely to resort to take extreme steps that defy logic or reason.

This fight against ISIL must continue until each member is eliminated.

Mohammed Abu Saif, Dubai

India must revamp the ailing railways

Despite India's progress, its railways remain stuck in the past (Train collision in northern India kills 12, October 2).

Every time an accident occurs, it’s the driver or those operating the signals that take the blame. This time it was not different. The report says the accident happened because of the negligence of the driver and his assistant. The question is, why do accidents take place so often?

Instead of the blame game, the government should try to revamp the creaking railway infrastructure. The train is the most popular mode of transport in India. So it’s the responsibility of the government to make it safe and secure for the public.

K Ragavan, India

Old Haj pictures are priceless

Thank you for sharing the lovely photos of Haj from your archives (In pictures: Haj in 1975). These pictures are invaluable. They take you back to a time when things were so simple. In this context I would like to mention that I agree with Shelina Zahra Janmohamed's view that Haj is becoming a privilege of the rich (Comforts could rob Haj of its core value, October 4).

Some things in the world need to stay the way they are. Haj is one of them, particularly because it’s a religious event, a spiritual pilgrimage.

So in essence it needs to remain simple. Perhaps these photographs will inspire many to think about it.

Name withheld by request

Confusion over Eid was frustrating

The confusion over Eid holidays caused a big disappointment for my children, who were waiting for a well-deserved holiday after their exams (Confusion surrounds school break for Eid Al Adha, October 2). We had booked our holidays according to our school calendar. It was only before our departure that we realised that we would not be able to make it this time. Schools should ensure that their holiday calendars are not misleading.

Teachers and children have very few occasions to enjoy. Missing those opportunities can be very frustrating.

Name withheld by request