Peter Hellyer's article, The UAE's history of tolerance deserves wider recognition (December 23), reaffirms my belief about the UAE being an open country.
There are differences between us, but the great respect felt towards others in terms of religion and culture is the source of the peace and equality we all enjoy.
It’s the reason why Dubai is one of the world’s best cities and has a booming economy like no other Arab city.
J-r Aurelio Ballad, Dubai
When Muslims go to other countries, we generally try to live by the local rules. When they come to ours, we try to allow them to practice life in as comfortable a manner as possible, the way they want to.
I had to go to school in the West during Eid and when I asked for a special exemption for religious reasons, it was not granted. I was counted as absent.
Yet here many companies give Christmas off to employees and the schools are off. The examples go on and on.
It cannot be said that countries like the UAE are doing very little to accommodate those of other faiths. It’s the other way around.
Genan El-Sayed, Dubai
The fact that I have been wished a happy Christmas by several Muslims stands as testament to the acceptance of other faiths in the UAE.
Michelle Marie, Al Ain
Big cats are not the real danger
In relation to your news article that those with dangerous pets will now face fines (Sharjah dangerous pet amnesty ends on Tuesday, December 22), I would like to know is what will happen to these animals.
I would have thought animal welfare is of primary importance.
Emma Brain, Dubai
This rule appears to only protect humans from dangerous animals, and not animals from dangerous humans.
Caroline Fernandez, Dubai
In praise of ‘third culture kids’
With regard to Khalid Al Ameri's essay about how some FNC members don't want Emiratis to marry foreigners (In the UAE's marriage debate, we have to stop looking back to the past, December 22), my view is children take after the most pervasive influence.
If the mother is the one who is home with them, they will adopt more of her values and customs. If they grow up in the UAE, that will also influence them strongly – regardless of their parents’ nationalities.
I am American and my husband is German. My children are in no way noticeably German because we don’t live there and I am always with them while my husband is at work.
They believe in old-fashioned American values and, from living their whole lives in the UAE, you will never catch them wearing short clothes that expose their shoulders or stomachs or accidentally pointing the soles of their feet at someone.
So my values and those of the UAE are their strongest influences regardless of gender.
Their multinational friends also exert an influence. All this makes for pretty amazing people in the UAE. They are able to take the best from each culture.
Christie King Eckardt, Abu Dhabi
It is wonderful to grow up with different backgrounds because it means children will be able to learn from more cultures than just one.
These people often become the best citizens in the world.
Brigitte von Bulow, Abu Dhabi
We are equal, not identical
One reaction to your recent Review article (In a world in flux, what's the point of men? December 20) claimed the two sexes can never be equal.
That’s the old stereotype that men cannot cook and clean and women cannot run a company. Now we know that both genders can do both jobs very well.
It’s not about being identical, it’s about being equal.
Sanchita Guha, India
I am all for female empowerment but to me an obvious fact that a lot of smart, educated women fail to see is that equality is a subjective term.
Certain jobs are simply more physiologically suited for men and others suit women.
Jayadevi Palekanda, Abu Dhabi
How will Modi break through?
Your story, Modi's deafening silence on hindu conversions (December 22) was good to read.
Opposition parties take Mr Modi’s silence as aggravating the situation.
All the political parties should realise how much money a non-functioning parliament costs. Will this logjam be solved in the country’s interests?
K Ragavan, India
Women’s World T20, Asia Qualifier
UAE results
Beat China by 16 runs
Lost to Thailand by 10 wickets
Beat Nepal by five runs
Beat Hong Kong by eight wickets
Beat Malaysia by 34 runs
Standings (P, W, l, NR, points)
1. Thailand 5 4 0 1 9
2. UAE 5 4 1 0 8
3. Nepal 5 2 1 2 6
4. Hong Kong 5 2 2 1 5
5. Malaysia 5 1 4 0 2
6. China 5 0 5 0 0
Final
Thailand v UAE, Monday, 7am
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Water waste
In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.
Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.
A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.
The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
The bio
Who inspires you?
I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist
How do you relax?
Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.
What is favourite book?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times
What is your favourite Arabic film?
Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki
What is favourite English film?
Mamma Mia
Best piece of advice to someone looking for a career at Google?
If you’re interested in a career at Google, deep dive into the different career paths and pinpoint the space you want to join. When you know your space, you’re likely to identify the skills you need to develop.
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
How the bonus system works
The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.
The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.
There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).
All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE%3A
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Envision%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2017%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKarthik%20Mahadevan%20and%20Karthik%20Kannan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20The%20Netherlands%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Technology%2FAssistive%20Technology%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%241.5%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2020%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Seed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204impact%2C%20ABN%20Amro%2C%20Impact%20Ventures%20and%20group%20of%20angels%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Results
2pm: Al Sahel Contracting Company – Maiden (PA) Dh50,000 (Dirt) 1,200m; Winner: AF Mutakafel, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
2.30pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: El Baareq, Antonio Fresu, Rashed Bouresly
3pm: Shadwell – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,950m; Winner: Lost Eden, Andrea Atzeni, Doug Watson
3.30pm: Keeneland – Handicap (TB) Dh84,000 (D) 1,000m; Winner: Alkaraama, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi
4pm: Keeneland – Handicap (TB) Dh76,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Lady Snazz, Saif Al Balushi, Bhupat Seemar
4.30pm: Hive – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
5pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – (TB) Handicap Dh64,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Lahmoom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
2.0
Director: S Shankar
Producer: Lyca Productions; presented by Dharma Films
Cast: Rajnikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
STAY%2C%20DAUGHTER
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