Use hope as a weapon to curb extremism

Readers compliment The National's #cycletoworkUAE initiative. Other topics: extremism, UAE life , mathematics, anti-Semitism , Garden of Miracle

Creative compliments: The National’s #cycletoworkUAE initiative has received an overwhelmingly positive response from readers, some of whom have expressed their gratitude by writing postcards.

Your story ISIL militants use killer child in chilling propaganda video (January 18) is a reminder of what is in store for us. With war raging in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Gaza, there is little hope for us. It's time the West realised that it's impossible to combat extremism with military might. I think it would be wiser to channel the money spent on military operations into humanitarian efforts. Children of this lost generation simply need the ability to look forward. Without a goal in life, these lives will go astray.

If you realise how frustrated you get when you can’t get some small work done as easily as it should be done, you will easily understand the psychological condition of those who are growing up amid violence, chaos and destruction. They need our support and guidance.

Hassan Mattroushi, Qatar

Does life of luxury suit all?

It's true that most of us easily adapt to the life of luxury in the UAE (How UAE expats adapt to a land of luxury, January 19). However, I was never impressed by it. The only thing that impressed me was how the majority of people love such a lifestyle. I believe it depends on your country of origin.

Rejane Serao, Dubai

Maths has a mysterious side

I refer to your article Spot the difference (January 18). Mathematics and geometry have had a long association with the occult. Perhaps the greatest exponent of this connection was Pythagoras. Much of modern art and literature is difficult to understand because of its occult leanings, like Picasso's cubism and Yeats' esoteric poetry. What is interesting is the universality of these mysteries in all cultures. Shinji Ogawa's preoccupation with parallel universes and UnKyung Hur's geometric designs substantiate this.

Dil Rasheed, Dubai

Anti-Semitism can be eased

The wave of anti-Semitism sweeping Europe could be ameliorated, and eventually nullified, if the Netanyahu government were to dismantle its illegal settlements and repatriate its citizens to Israel in accordance with the judgement of the International Court and the will of the UN, the US and the European Union.

To maintain that the actions of the Netanyahu government in inducing its citizens to illegally settle in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, has nothing to do with the increase in anti-Semitism in Europe and elsewhere – as is being promoted – is a patent denial of the facts on the ground. But Benjamin Netanyahu has no intention of acceding to international demands to dismantle his settlements. He is secure in the knowledge that the Israeli lobby in Washington is powerful enough to ensure that the US Congress continues to instruct President Obama to prop up his Likud government with war planes, drones, bombs, missiles and other weaponry. This fact alone is sufficient to cause considerable ill-feeling around the free world.

Anthony Bellchambers, UK

Garden a miracle in the desert

We visited the Dubai Miracle Garden the other day (The wonderful bizarreness of Dubai Miracle Garden, January 16), and were pleasantly surprised.

My brother and his wife were so impressed that they have planned to visit it every week. Well done, Dubai. It’s amazing that a desert has been turned into a colourful oasis.

Jasvanti Bhogaita, Dubai