Volunteer sets a good example as UN ambassador

readers praise a volunteer, consider cruise holidays and express sympathy over the death of another soldier

A reader praises Hamad Al Kaabi for his volunteer work with groups including Emirates Red Crescent.

Bravo to Hamad Al Kaabi (UN Goodwill Ambassador reward for UAE volunteer, October 11).

I recently had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with this young man at a charity exhibition.

He is a down-to-earth, striving individual who has earned this title of goodwill ambassador and deserves it.

Abeer Al Nowais, Abu Dhabi

Sadness over fallen soldier

I was so sad to read about the death of another Emirati soldier in Yemen (Body of UAE serviceman arrives in Abu Dhabi, October 11).

War has terrible consequences. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

Brigitte von Bulow, Abu Dhabi

Baghdadi isn’t running ISIL

Would it have much practical significance if the ISIL leader, Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi, is dead (Iraq claims Baghdadi caught in air strike, October 12)?

I have read that he is merely a figurehead and that the day-to-day operations of ISIL in Iraq are run by former members of the Baath party.

Also, he’s been rumoured to have been seriously injured or paralysed for some time now because of a previous air strike near Al Qaim.

I think that ISIL’s propaganda and its supporters will be hit harder by this news than the organisation itself.

Alex Whitehurst, US

Cruises should vary destinations

It was interesting to read Brett Debritz's article about the upcoming cruise season in the UAE, In praise of the tourism slow lane on the high seas (October 12).

I am considering going on the MSC Musica because I've sailed with MSC in the Mediterranean and I know what to expect.

However, the itinerary – Dubai to Abu Dhabi, Khor Fakkan, Oman and back – is a bit boring and the sailing time is short. Also, the ship will be sailing too close to the coast to be a true seagoing experience.

It would be great if, for example, one of the companies could offer a cruise from the UAE to Goa or Mumbai and back.

Omar M, Dubai

I did a cruise from Dubai last year for Christmas and it was wonderful.

Tina Marang-Webb, Dubai

Motor World is too far away

In reference to Motor World car dealers unhappy with services (October 10), I understand the concept behind getting used-car dealers out of the city.

However, putting Motor World in its current location seems to have benefited only the new-car dealers and private sellers, not the customers it should serve.

They are so far out of the city that it costs about Dh200 for a round trip in a taxi.

That money could go towards paying for registration or other costs associated with buying a car.

D Glass, Abu Dhabi

Death of Tamil star deeply felt

Once again, we have lost a great star of the film industry (Actress Manorama dies at age 87, October 11).

Manorama acted in more than 1,000 films in all kinds of roles alongside some of the leading actors of her time. She was loved by her colleagues and respected by everyone.

K Ragavan, India

Zoos are just attractions

I was distressed to read Zoo in Denmark plans to publicly dissect lion (October 10).

The zoo’s admission that it put down a healthy female lion because it had too many felines clearly demonstrates that zoos – and I mean all zoos – are not in the business of breeding animals for rehabilitation into the wild.

As many people already realise, the purpose of breeding programmes is simply to create cute “wild” babies in order to attract a steady flow of zoo ­patrons.

This zoo is going even further by using the dissection of one of its baby lions – she was killed at three months – as an additional attraction.

Jenny Moxham, Australia