Taj of our time is a wonder

A reader says pure love is becoming rare. Other topics: Reem murder, 'Shawarma Alley', Abu Dhabi life

A reader says the kind of love shown by Faizul Hasan Qadri, who has built a monument for his late wife Tajammuli – both seen in the photograph – is rare. Bernat Armangue / AP Photo

I enjoyed reading the article A humble postman builds a Taj Mahal for his wife (December 9). What struck me was that Faizul Hasan Qadri is a retired postman and he spent all his modest income on a monument for his beloved wife Tajammuli. Mr Qadri wants to be laid to rest at the same place.

At a time when the institution of marriage seems to have weakened so much, when divorce has become commonplace and the essence of true love seems to dissipate quickly, it’s refreshing to see someone trying to keep the flame of love burning.

Shafiqul Alam, India

Can we stop talking about Reem murder?

Why are you prolonging this story? It was shocking and came out of nowhere, but the opinions sought in relation to the wearing of the niqab and/ or how safe you feel now, have, in my opinion, brought out the worst in people. This was a single incident but there are daily occurrences in many other parts of the world.

Additionally, a bereaved family needs to start the healing process. How will that be possible if every day, the crime committed against their mother/wife is headlining the news? It’s like reopening a wound.

Name withheld by request

I'm wondering whether malls and other public places are any safer with all these security guards and CCTVs (Ibolya's lesson to us all is to look out for one another, December 14). I think, at the end of the day, all that matters is the right action at the right time.

This incident has made us realise that we all have to take care of ourselves and no one else can protect us when something like this happens.

Suhair Rehman, Abu Dhabi

One knife attack and the attempt to plant a makeshift bomb, and people are questioning whether the UAE is safe or not (Fear drives our emotional response to the Reem Island murder, December 11). Do you know that there are more police per capita here than in most other countries in the world? If this statistic doesn't make you feel safe, nothing will.

Name withheld by request

‘Shawarma Alley’ is a concern

I felt I needed to address the point below as a matter of public safety.

I live in a popular area in Khalidiya on the intersection of 30th Street and Corniche Street. There is a street within this block that I have nicknamed “Shawarma Alley”.

I did this because over the past two years, multiple shawarma and other fast food outlets have opened in the ground floor of a residential block on that street.

But it is a narrow, one-way street and has now been turned into a drive-in, with cars waiting outside the establishments for their order to be prepared and the packaged food delivered.

This, of course blocks the traffic. As a resident of one of the towers in the area, I can honestly say that it sometimes takes as long as 10 minutes (particularly in peak hours) to be able to get to the underground car park.

This is bad enough but some recent events have highlighted some other issues to do with public safety and emergency response, which is an area I work in.

On Wednesday, there was a major fire in one of the Lebanese restaurants along the strip in peak hours and I believe the emergency responders were delayed getting to it.

Critical Emergency response relies on the ability of the emergency services to access an area quickly and efficiently. In this case, it was practically impossible. The success of ambulance response times have been proven to depend on the time it takes to respond and reach a victim. Minutes can mean the difference between life and death.

I believe it is an issue of critical importance and this matter should be dealt with before another emergency occurs and results in a catastrophe.

Ian Ray, Abu Dhabi

Statistics need to be explained

I refer to the graphic accompanying the article Expats home in on the UAE (December 12). It shows the areas of Abu Dhabi that people move in and out of the most. Without some explanation, these statistics don't mean anything. Why are they moving in and out?

Are people moving out of Muroor because of rising costs? Does this data take into account bachelor and shared accommodations?

Are people moving out because better accommodation is available in Khalifa City, or because villas are cheaper? Without context, none of the data means anything.

Shadily Munawar, Abu Dhabi