Views on religion expressed on TV show misplaced

Readers say they are lucky to be able to live in the UAE. Other topics: driving, rent, religion

Readers say they are happy to live in the UAE because it offers a safe and multicultural environment. Lee Hoagland/The National

It's worth watching the clip of Real Time with Bill Maher (Ben Affleck angrily defends Muslims in heated debate on HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher, October 6).

Mr Maher was giving his opinion as if he was stating facts. The other guest, Sam Haris, even went as far as to say that Muslims who don’t really believe in the faith need to be empowered.

At that moment it was clear that he didn’t only have something against Muslims, but the faith itself.

He was calling for the elimination of the faith. If the western media thinks that Muslims who condemn ISIL would gladly abandon Islam, then they are mistaken. That kind of thought is dangerous and anyone who has similar ambitions and aspirations is no different than ISIL.

Ben Afleck’s frustration was understandable, as is Reza Aslan’s. The biggest challenge we face today is from those who talk about things they have no clue about and spew venom that creates divisions.

Abdullah Yahya Hamed, Dubai

Mr Harris was attempting to make an argument but was constantly interrupted by an aggressive and hysterical Affleck.

Affleck seemed to lack the courage to argue with a person with different opinions.

Simon Kobster, Dubai

We should be respectful to all faiths. For inspiration, one needs to look at the UAE.

Maria Padilla, Dubai

UAE offers unique opportunities

The safe and peaceful environment of the UAE is a real treat, even though I miss winter and autumn back home (UAE in top 20 for a quality lifestyle, October 8). The summer is unbearable.

Christina Ann Murphy, Abu Dhabi

I am lucky to be able to live in the UAE that has friendly and tolerant people, low crime rates and a multicultural environment.

However, even though it gives us the opportunity to enjoy some of the best things in the world, the cost of living is so high that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to afford many of them.

Varsha John, Abu Dhabi

Focus on source of rent problems

I refer to your editorial Rising rents create problems for all in the UAE (October 8). To address the issue effectively, you have to start at the source, which is inflated prices that developers ask for newly built properties. They are simply not worth the prices that are paid for them.

These inflated prices in turn drive landlords to ask for inflated rent to deliver a return on their investment, which in turn hits tenants. The greed of developers drives greed among investors.

Unfortunately, there are also too many landlords who are sitting on existing properties that they bought at ridiculously high prices and they’re trying to get the tenant to pay for their poor investment choices.

Ian Jiggens, Dubai

I don’t know how this issue can be solved. But I know that as rents rise, our life will become more difficult. Soon many of us may have to leave the UAE.

Sameer Abdullah, Abu Dhabi

Driving habits need to change

It is good news that the number of accidents has fallen in Abu Dhabi (Campaigns bite as deaths drop by fifth, October 7).

The credit goes to the police, as well as the Government that has installed speed cameras everywhere in the city. But more needs to be done to change people’s driving habits. Changing lanes without using indicators causes many accidents.

Other problems, such as tailgating and flashing lights from behind, still persist.

I have not come across one incident in which a driver has been fined for such behaviour. Unless motorists are disciplined, our roads will continue to remain dangerous.

Name withheld by request