Ahmad Ghandour and his mother Hania Daher during a shoe-collection drive on April 7,in Dubai. Suhail Akram/ The National
Ahmad Ghandour and his mother Hania Daher during a shoe-collection drive on April 7,in Dubai. Suhail Akram/ The National

Opinion

Feedback

Football shoes for refugee children is a lovely effort

Our readers have their say on kicks for young refugees, the Palestinian movement, a medical procedure, a celebrity marriage and Netflix

The National

April 22, 2022

In reference to Suhail Akram's report Meet the pupil in Dubai who collects used football boots for refugee children (April 21): this is a beautiful story, just the sort of article one loves to read.

Tanya Milbourne, Dubai

Violence and worship don't go together

This is in reference to James Zogby's op-ed The need to assert non-violence in the Palestinian movement (April 18): I agree with the writer. Violence is certainly not a solution to any problem. Nor does it solve long-standing conflict. While it is human to react to constant bullying, this is no justification and does not warrant retaliation. Places of worship should be left for worship and must not be politicised.

Nazim Hasan Khan, India

A bone marrow transplant, thanks to a generous sibling

With regard to Shireena Al Nowais's article Abu Dhabi hospital performs UAE's first paediatric bone marrow transplant (April 21): Bravo. God bless the medical team for performing this complex procedure. To endure so much physical pain is not easy for anyone, least of all a child. God bless 5-year-old Jordana with good health and a long, happy life. Also her older sister Jolina, 10, who gave her the stem cells.

Amee Agnihotri, Mumbai, India

Saying no to Netflix

In reference to Alvin Cabral's story Will Netflix be able to revive its slowing subscriber base with an ad-based model? (April 20): it's just the tip of the iceberg. Higher prices could be the beginning of the end.

Daniel Boudreau, Nova Scotia, Canada

Maybe it's because people are now back at work and working longer hours. With cost of living going higher, it could be that people are cutting back on things they do not need.

Seems McKlaire, Abu Dhabi

He said, she said: Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's marriage ruins

About the video and the Johnny Depp says former wife Amber Heard 'has a need for violence' (April 21): it just once again goes to show that, celebrity or not, you can never really know what people go through in their marriages.

S Beechams, Dubai

Marriage is not for everyone. It requires patience and a mature spirit. Who's to say which of the two lacked in what. As they're fighting it out publicly, it is obvious that both Depp and Heard could have reacted differently, made different choices and practiced restraint.

Victoria Ayator Iyange, Abuja, Nigeria

Five famous companies founded by teens

There are numerous success stories of teen businesses that were created in college dorm rooms and other modest circumstances. Below are some of the most recognisable names in the industry:

  1. Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg and his friends started Facebook when he was a 19-year-old Harvard undergraduate. 
  2. Dell: When Michael Dell was an undergraduate student at Texas University in 1984, he started upgrading computers for profit. He starting working full-time on his business when he was 19. Eventually, his company became the Dell Computer Corporation and then Dell Inc. 
  3. Subway: Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway restaurant when he was 17. In 1965, Mr DeLuca needed extra money for college, so he decided to open his own business. Peter Buck, a family friend, lent him $1,000 and together, they opened Pete’s Super Submarines. A few years later, the company was rebranded and called Subway. 
  4. Mashable: In 2005, Pete Cashmore created Mashable in Scotland when he was a teenager. The site was then a technology blog. Over the next few decades, Mr Cashmore has turned Mashable into a global media company.
  5. Oculus VR: Palmer Luckey founded Oculus VR in June 2012, when he was 19. In August that year, Oculus launched its Kickstarter campaign and raised more than $1 million in three days. Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion two years later.
Company profile

Name: Tratok Portal

Founded: 2017

Based: UAE

Sector: Travel & tourism

Size: 36 employees

Funding: Privately funded

Updated: April 22, 2022, 2:45 AM