Think about the animals
I am 10 years old and very saddened by the present conditions in the Dubai Zoo. I hope someone is working to make the zoo a better place for the animals to live in. My father told me that a new zoo was going to be built soon. I just wondered when it would be ready.
From Ms Alyssa Advano
Dubai
Month of generosity
Ramadan is a month of generosity as I experienced, recently. There are a lot of generous people in this world who still have faith and work towards goodness. A short while ago, I lost my passport not knowing where I had misplaced it. A taxi driver eventually found the passport and later submitted it at the nearest police station. My heartfelt appreciation to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and their dedicated drivers, who are so true to their jobs.
From Mr Fadi Abdul K.
Dubai
Unacceptable
I spent an hour in traffic trying to get from the fifth interchange, on Shaikh Zayed Road, to the Greens, recently. The Greens exit is the last free exit before the Al Barsha Salik tollgate starts. All trucks, vans and other heavy vehicles use this exit and go through the Greens. There is just one lane, which converges with the exit, thereby causing more traffic congestion. Construction vehicles and buses leave the construction site going in the opposite direction of the one-way road. This is unacceptable. Is anyone at the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) listening?
From Ms Afsheen Esmail
Dubai
Survivable income
I have solid information from my friends seeking a one-bedroom apartment accommodation in Abu Dhabi - it does not cost less than Dh8,500 to Dh10,000 per month. Add to it monthly expenses, school fees, transport and minimum savings. Based on these, the average salary required for an individual is Dh20,000! Even distant places like Musaffah are no reprieve to the common man. While all residents are grateful to the UAE for offering them a "home outside their home", I sincerely request the authorities to take a closer look at the rental situation and provide for affordable apartments at the earliest.
From Mr Subramanian S.
Abu Dhabi
Recognise it
It is a problem that is endemic worldwide and, of course, Dubai is not exempt ("Sponsors feel the heat as law targets begging", Gulf News, September 7). In the UK all beggars work in gangs and the gang leader takes the biggest cut. I'm not sure if they are individuals in Dubai, however. What does ring true is that they appear in greater numbers during Ramadan, as they know they can "earn" more money at this time than at any other. What is required is for the authorities to recognise this and act accordingly.
From Mr Ali Sultan
Bradford, UK
Eat right
Off late, I have been reading a lot of news related to obesity among children. It has become a common and worldwide problem. The contributing factors are mainly bad food habits and a lack of exercise. Parental care is mandatory for children who might have a tendency to overeat or to eat unhealthy food. Many parents tend to overlook this important factor, by giving their children food that has a high calorific value.
From Mr K. Ragavan
Ajman
Think and act
It is Jebel Ali's turn now to be victimised by the lack of forward thinking by building contractors. Try reaching the Jebel Ali Gardens or Ibn Battuta mall from Shaikh Zayed Road at any given time of the day. The little roundabout in front of Jebel Ali Village was built 30 years ago and is approximately the size of a postage stamp. It is now the focal point of four major developments and an enormous labour accommodation. Why can't the contractors sort out the infrastructure, before inflicting misery on the population? As an emergency measure, traffic lights need to be installed at the aforesaid roundabout. Armies of water tankers cause most of the chaos. Why not limit the hours of these behemoths to function at night, by which time we might have finally reached our beds?
From Mr Ian Young
Jebel Ali
On time, please
During Ramadan, almost every office reports for work from 8am to 3pm. As a result, almost all taxi drivers refuse to take any passengers, due to heavy traffic. I request the Abu Dhabi Transport authorities and its planners to kindly help us. Taxis need to bring us to work on time. Lots of passengers are stuck on the road waiting for taxis to take them. It's an enormous waste of employee man-hours.
From Mr Dick Orense
Abu Dhabi
Respect traffic rules
I wonder why so many people, here in the UAE, are disrespectful towards traffic laws. In my country the traffic law is much stricter and most people do respect it. On several occasions, I was almost hit by cars driving in the wrong direction while crossing the road a few metres from a junction.
From Ms Mariam
Sharjah
Full name withheld by request
Next to impossible
I have been a resident of the UAE for almost nine years. Off late, I have noticed that life here is getting very expensive.
There is no control over prices of commodities, despite strict rules and enforcement of laws. Finding a decent and affordable accommodation is next to impossible. I truly hope that the laws that are already in place are followed with more sincerity. It would help ease a lot of problems, for expatriate residents.
From Mr Belhachmi Tarik
UAE
