Charity manager sets an example to young people

Thank you for your story on the Dubai Cares country programme manager, Mada Al Suwaidi (Women of the UAE: Caring around the world, January 8).

At just 24, she is an inspiration to the young. Her contribution to the welfare of those who live in extreme poverty across the globe is commendable.

She is a role model to many who feel that children in underdeveloped countries need our attention and sympathy.

She is proof that you can be young and entirely capable of taking responsibility and managing it effectively. She is surely making her family and the nation very proud.

Fatima Suhail, Dubai

Ms Al Suwaidi is doing a really great job.

Badraeniesa Panker, Abu Dhabi

Elderly deserve the best of care

In the editorial, Plan today to care for the old tomorrow (February 8), you ask whether the UAE is well prepared to deal with the problems posed by its ageing population.

I hope it is. The elderly were once young and they worked very hard to make this country what it is. They deserve a happy and secure retirement.

Good planning, housing and health care are a priority and require urgent attention.

Brigitte von Bulow, Abu Dhabi

Don’t embrace a sedentary life

In reference to UAE experts warn on sedentary lifestyles and the potential onset of Type 2 diabetes (January 27), we all know that exercise is beneficial.

However, exercise doesn’t necessarily protect you from the damage caused by being sedentary, including the time you spend sitting as you work and drive.

Being physically inactive for long periods has consequences that will not be ameliorated by exercise, so not exercising and ­being sedentary are not the same thing.

One can meet all of the exercise recommendations but still spend just as much time being sedentary and incur the negative consequences thereof.

Instead of thinking that 30 to 60 minutes of daily exercise is all that you need in terms of physical activity, it’s also important to be aware of the time we spend being sedentary.

We should incorporate frequent bouts of low intensity physical activity – such as standing, walking or stretching – throughout the day.

N Millican, US

What we wear is a big issue

All expatriates know that the UAE is a Muslim country and we need to respect the culture and tradition here. However, we should not judge each other by our looks and style of dressing.

We know that fashion trends change and that everyone wants to look trendy. Young people hang out at the mall, and there they all try to impress and outshine each other.

During summer, some people choose to wear shorts instead of heavy jeans.

While I appreciate that it is difficult to control what people wear, I don’t think that security personnel should go around checking clothing, as I have seen them do in Dubai.

That is not their job; they are there to do more important things.

If we think that some people are dressed in a vulgar way, then we should stop importing such garments and stop advertising them.

At the same time, we should remember that Dubai is a cosmopolitan city with a wide variety of people from different places and different walks of life.

Mathew Litty, Dubai

Arts and science are intertwined

Fatima Al Shamsi's article, Creativity is not limited to the arts or a special skill set (February 6) makes a good point.

Lack of focus on the arts has contributed to a lack of innovation in manufacturing and production. The arts and sciences are not exclusive of each other.

Name withheld by request

Cheating is now very common

I enjoyed Justin Thomas's article The truth is that we're all becoming pathological liars (February 8).

It is sad that this has become a general trend.

Unfortunately, things are going to get worse because it is becoming fashionable to cheat.

Mustapha Jouiad, France