Yemenis’ attitude is admirable

A reader praises Yemenis who try to remain cheerful amid war. Other topics: Ramadan holiday, Salman Khan, Eurovision, Israel

A reader applauds the attitude of Yemenis who try to keep their chin up amid war and devastation. Photo courtesy of Mohammed Al Qalisi

I admire Yemeni people for trying to keep things somewhat normal during conflict (Comedy of war: Yemenis strive for humour amid hardship, May 25). You have to keep your chin up to overcome in all situations. Coming together in any way can help lighten a heavy load.

Name withheld by request

Why should we get a 10-day holiday?

I write with reference to Ayesha Almazroui's opinion article Why we don't need 10 days off for Ramadan (May 25).

I feel guilty enough working shorter days during the Holy Month. Perhaps a compromise position might be to allow Muslim employees who perform Itikaf to apply for reduced hours or additional days off, leaving it to their employers to review those requests rather than asking the government to mandate such an extended period of leave for all. That would, as the writer rightly pointed out, have dramatic effects on the economy, not to mention broader operations throughout the country.

My employer is kind enough to give Christian staff the day off with pay for Christmas. Personally, I’d be willing to work extra hours throughout Ramadan to allow one of my colleagues to perform Itikaf if they qualified for the time off.

Donating sick and vacation time to individual colleagues in unique circumstances – or to pools for employees with major illnesses – is common in the West and would, I think, be a welcome addition to the UAE’s human resources tool kit.

Name withheld by request

The article reflects my views on this matter. Some of us had a debate on this subject last week. We arrived at the conclusion that those having a genuine desire to spend more time on worship during the last 10 days of Ramadan will manage to find a way to do so without the need for the government to grant a 10-day holiday.

Coming from England, I realise that the privilege that has been afforded to me in this country of reduced working hours in the month of Ramadan is generous enough. I don’t think there is a need for more time off.

Uzma Khan, Abu Dhabi

Israel snatched a culture, too

Hummus is popular in the entire Middle East, so I don't know where exactly it originated (Israel's obsession with hummus is about more than stealing Palestine's food, May 24). What I do know is that Isrel has no claim to it.

It not only stole Palestinian land but food as well. I also know that they wear the Palestinian national dress on their airlines and tell tourists that it is theirs.

Haneen Hassan, Sharjah

Israel also claims that falafel is their cuisine. It’s surprising how they steal even a culture.

Abdulaziz Almashgari, Abu Dhabi

How can Salman travel abroad?

I am not surprised to know that the Bombay High Court has granted permission to Salman Khan to travel to Dubai for his show (Court grants approval for Salman Khan trip to Dubai, May 27).

In India, there seems to be separate laws for celebrities and high-profile individuals, while ordinary people can only dream of getting justice.

Fatima Suhail, Sharjah

Why is Australia in Eurovision?

Despite all explanations on Eurovision embracing Australia, (A broader vision, May 25), we Europeans cannot understand what Israel or Australia are doing in the contest.

The festival just allows them to be with Europe because, of course, they get more viewers, which means more money.

José Daniel Caamaño Hernández, Dubai