I couldn't agree more with the views Peter Hellyer expressed in the opinion article Expatriates in a bubble can export wrong image of the UAE (Aug7).
I'm originally from the UK but Abu Dhabi has been home for me for the past seven years - and I mean "home". During this time I have been consistently shocked by attitudes of many fellow expatriates who do indeed live - and seem to want to live - in a "bubble" that bears no relation to its surroundings.
I feel I have gained much more richness from my life here so far, whether through taking Arabic lessons, exploring the natural heritage, learning about Islam or getting to know Emiratis, some of whom I now consider to be close friends.
As a result, I also seem to be happier and more settled than many people I know. One shouldn't "tar everyone with the same brush" of course, but it does seem to be a big missed opportunity not to get closer to an unique and interesting culture, as well as being insulting to the people whose country it is.
In the UK nowadays we criticise immigrants who make no attempt to assimilate into the culture; what's the difference? Eid Mubarak to all.
Sarah Bartlett, Abu Dhabi
Budgeting has long-term benefit
I refer to Nima Abu Wardeh's article in the Money section, Live long and prosper … but do build savings too (Aug 3).
When I became a vegetarian 10 years ago, by coincidence, I did not think about the impact my decision would have on my budget.
The benefits become clear over time: lower health costs, better quality of life and through lower expenditure at the supermarket.
In addition, most vegetarian meals at restaurants usually cost less than non-vegetarian meals. I agree with the author that such calculations will not reap benefits within a short time, but the benefits can be felt in the years ahead.
Unfortunately, this sounds old-fashioned to many people. As Nick Leeson aka Ewan McGregor in the movie Rogue Trader says: "Long-term is tomorrow morning."
Gérard Al Fil, Dubai
Issues persist over language
The opinion article Hostility between Iranians and Arabs betrays history (Aug 6) reminded me of an incident. I was in Egypt, during the Iran-Iraq war, and I was wearing a name tag written in Arabic. I have a "p" in my last name, so I used the Farsi "peh." People corrected me, and told me not to use the Farsi "peh," but the Arabic "baa."
Tim Upham, UK
Problems need to be solved better
I found the headline of the article Five ways to tackle financial stress (July 25) in the Money section to be misleading. Even though the writer has mentioned five points, they are quite silly. Who doesn't understand that when you are stressed by an issue, financial or something else, you need not panic, identify the stressors, recognise your reaction, try to find ways to avoid challenges or get help?
It's not proper to suggest someone to seek psychological help if that person is unable to solve his or her financial worries. The author says, "the key is to think outside the box?" Really? Can you force someone to think outside the box?
On the contrary, if a person is capable of thinking outside the box, he is likely to find a solution on his own. In that case he would neither need to do all those things that the article suggests, nor would he need to seek psychological help. I am disappointed.
Gloria Accion, US
Germany should shed its dark past
It is telling to find out that even a generation after the horrors of the Second World War, a German chancellor actually considered deporting his country's largest ethnic minority (British National Archives releases classified government documents, Augt 2).
It is equally intriguing to know that the revelations that Chancellor Helmut Kohl planned on deporting his country's Turkish community have not led to one single word of regret, not one single expression of condemnation from his country, its government, people or civic society.
It is a sad fact that even today German society is infested with racism, a reality Mr Kohl's secret plans for German Turks makes abundantly clear.
Germany should seriously try to move on from its ugly past.
Suhail Shafi, Abu Dhabi
The specs
Engine: three three 212.7kWh motors
Power: 1,000bhp
Torque: 15,600Nm
Range: 530km
Price: Dh500,000+ est
On sale: early 2023
RedCrow Intelligence Company Profile
Started: 2016
Founders: Hussein Nasser Eddin, Laila Akel, Tayeb Akel
Based: Ramallah, Palestine
Sector: Technology, Security
# of staff: 13
Investment: $745,000
Investors: Palestine’s Ibtikar Fund, Abu Dhabi’s Gothams and angel investors
Mountain Boy
Director: Zainab Shaheen
Starring: Naser Al Messabi
Rating: 3/5
Points to remember
- Debate the issue, don't attack the person
- Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
- Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
- Listen actively without interrupting
- Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
More from UAE Human Development Report:
The five pillars of Islam
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Co Chocolat
Started: 2017
Founders: Iman and Luchie Suguitan
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Food
Funding: $1 million-plus
Investors: Fahad bin Juma, self-funding, family and friends
Profile of Hala Insurance
Date Started: September 2018
Founders: Walid and Karim Dib
Based: Abu Dhabi
Employees: Nine
Amount raised: $1.2 million
Funders: Oman Technology Fund, AB Accelerator, 500 Startups, private backers
The specs: McLaren 600LT
Price, base: Dh914,000
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 600hp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 620Nm @ 5,500rpm
Fuel economy 12.2.L / 100km
Brief scoreline:
Burnley 3
Barnes 63', 70', Berg Gudmundsson 75'
Southampton 3
Man of the match
Ashley Barnes (Burnley)
I Care A Lot
Directed by: J Blakeson
Starring: Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage
3/5 stars
PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450+ employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
SPEC SHEET: NOTHING PHONE (2A)
Display: 6.7-inch flexible Amoled, 2,412 x 1,080, 394ppi, 120Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7,200 Pro, 4nm, octa-core
Memory: 8/12GB
Capacity: 128/256GB
Platform: Android 14, Nothing OS 2.5
Main camera: Dual 50MP main, f/1.88 + 50MP ultra-wide, f/2.2; OIS, EIS, auto-focus, ultra XDR, night mode
Main camera video: 4K @ 30fps, full-HD @ 60fps; slo-mo full-HD at 120fps
Front camera: 32MP wide, f/2.2
Battery: 5,000mAh; 50% in 30 minutes with 45-watt charger
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC (Google Pay)
Biometrics: Fingerprint, face unlock
I/O: USB-C
Durability: IP54, limited protection from water/dust
Cards: Dual-nano SIM
Colours: Black, milk, white
In the box: Nothing Phone (2a), USB-C-to-USB-C cable, pre-applied screen protector, Sim tray ejector tool
Price (UAE): Dh1,199 (8GB/128GB) / Dh1,399 (12GB/256GB)
Women’s Asia Cup
UAE fixtures
Sun Oct 2, v Sri Lanka
Tue Oct 4, v India
Wed Oct 5, v Malaysia
Fri Oct 7, v Thailand
Sun Oct 9, v Pakistan
Tue Oct 11, v Bangladesh
UAE squad
Chaya Mughal (captain), Esha Oza, Kavisha Kumari, Khushi Sharma, Theertha Satish, Lavanya Keny, Priyanjali Jain, Suraksha Kotte, Natasha Cherriath, Indhuja Nandakumar, Rishitha Rajith, Vaishnave Mahesh, Siya Gokhale, Samaira Dharnidharka, Mahika Gaur
New Zealand 21 British & Irish Lions 24
New Zealand
Penalties: Barrett (7)
British & Irish Lions
Tries: Faletau, Murray
Penalties: Farrell (4)
Conversions: Farrell
The biog
Name: Fareed Lafta
Age: 40
From: Baghdad, Iraq
Mission: Promote world peace
Favourite poet: Al Mutanabbi
Role models: His parents
THE JERSEYS
Red Jersey
General Classification, sponsored by Fatima bint Mubarak Ladies Academy: Worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the leader of the General Classification.
Green Jersey
Points Classification, sponsored by Bike Abu Dhabi: Worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the fastest sprinter.
White Jersey
Young Rider Classification, sponsored by Abu Dhabi 360: Worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the best young rider (U25).
Black Jersey
Intermediate Sprint Classification, sponsored by Experience Abu Dhabi: Worn daily, starting from Stage 2, by the rider who has gained most Intermediate sprint points.
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
The specs
Engine: 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 380hp at 5,800rpm
Torque: 530Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Price: From Dh299,000 ($81,415)
On sale: Now
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford