Creating tolerance between people
This is a wonderful example of valuing peace (‘Mohammad Bin Zayed meets Pope Francis’, Gulf News, September 15). As the UAE is a place with many expatriates from around the world, working in various job levels, this was the next step forward. When thinking about the concern of humanitarian issues, it should not simply be limited to within the borders of a country, but should extend the world over, especially with the conflicts we all are facing.
The meeting between His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Pope Francis would not only help strengthen the tolerance two major world religions, but also show people a side of the UAE they might not know.
As the UAE has been setting good examples for various initiatives on a global level, the meeting would foresee more tolerance between people. Let’s hope it takes shape in good order, especially in creating a crisis-free environment.
From Mr Ramachandran Nair
Muscat, Oman
Caring for the people
That’s one thing that I love about this country (‘Mohammad Bin Zayed arrives in Rome on official visit to Vatican, meets Pope Francis on Thursday’, Gulf News, September 15). The leaders are very kind and always look out for the people. The UAE is my second home, outside the Philippines.
From Mr Reynaldo P. Casayas
Abu Dhabi
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Humbling
All my respect goes to this wonderful leader. The UAE rulers are constantly reaching out to people from other religions, regardless of social status, and it’s really humbling. May God bless him and his family. Peace on Earth and goodwill to all men.
From Ms Kelly Bacal Tabirara
Dubai
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The right direction
Wonderful. I, for one, am encouraged about the prospect of a better world. These types of events are a way forward.
From Mr Chauncey Maurice
UAE
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Making UAE proud
Bravo Mohammad Al Hammadi, who has made the UAE proud by breaking his own Paralympics record in the 800-metre wheelchair race in Rio (‘Mohammad Al Hammadi bags second UAE gold’, Gulf News, September 16). It was a great achievement, after he won a silver medal in the London 2012 Paralympics. UAE athletes, shooters and weightlifters are shining at the competition. I salute them; they are all assets for the nation.
From Mr Sunny Joseph
Mala, India
Inspiring performance
I have been following the Paralympics from the start and it has been great to watch (‘Bahrain’s Fatema Nedham clinches gold in shot put’, Gulf News, September 14). Every athlete touches my heart and their great determination gives me encouragement. Congratulations to all the superstars.
From Ms Siju Markose
Muscat, Oman
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Great achievement
Despite the earlier disappointment, with the lack of men’s gold medals from Indian athletes in the Rio Olympics in August, it has now been somewhat compensated by Devendra Jhajharia at the Paralympics event (‘Devendra Jhajharia adds another chapter to India’s success story’, Gulf News, September 15). He had already won in 2004 and this is his second gold medal! Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was complimenting his great achievement. Kudos to Jhajharia!
From Mr K. Ragavan
Bengaluru, India
No more hassle
I am happy to read about the initiative by the Philippines Embassy, and the news that they will waive off the Overseas Exemption Certificate (OEC) requirements for some categories of Filipino residents in the country (‘Filipino exit clearance exemption begins on September 15’, Gulf News, September 15). This has always been a headache for my Filipino employees, who often need to visit the embassy and spend almost a day there, just to get clearance for travel to their homeland. Employees often take leave from work for this. The move is welcomed by employers and also by the affected Filipino residents. It is painful for employees to fetch a taxi, take leave from work, spend money, and on top of that, stand in a long queue, and at times, under the scorching sun just to obtaining this OEC. This move will help bring in a lot of control over paperwork that has to do with migrants. It would also be better if the embassy opens online registration for workers who came to the UAE on a visit visa, and then took a job, so that even they need not spend time and energy in visiting the embassy to get the OEC whenever they need to exit the country.
From Mr Binu Prasad
Abu Dhabi
Cannot blame a whole country
One cannot assign blame to an entire nation just because of a few people with a sickness in their minds (‘Obama to veto controversial anti-Saudi bill: White House’, Gulf News, September 14). All civilised nations condemn the horrible events of 9/11.
From Mr Babar Nawaz Butt
UAE
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Violent people everywhere
In Islam, we are not allowed to harm anyone, irrespective of their caste or religion (‘Muslim woman’s hijab set on fire on New York’s Fifth Avenue’, Gulf News, September 14). What do we call the people who did this act? What do we name the people who are doing this to Muslims? Surely, they are actually terrorists.
I think there are a number of people all around the world, who have a violent mind-set, because every religion opposes unlawful acts and preaches good.
From Mr Israr Hussain Chaudhry
Dubai
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Protecting each other
The UAE will tackle this, too (‘Ratifying anti-Saudi law will affect ties, GCC warns US’, Gulf News, September 13). God will protect UAE. I am one among the public staying in Dubai and I am happy to be in this country. I feel safe and secure here. This statement is enough to make some countries understand their role towards peace, prosperity and security of the public in general. God bless all.
From Ms Nima Unr
UAE
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No one is perfect
Human beings suffer due to their past or present deeds and Hillary Clinton is only seeing the beginning (‘Did you hear the latest about Hillary?’, Gulf News, September 14). Who has a perfect life, in this world? I don’t think anyone does. Still, people are grateful to God, as some have got much more than they deserve, be it skill, knowledge, charisma or looks. Stay down to Earth and pray for the right path and the strength to survive.
From Mr Kant Chander
Dubai
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Terrorism keeps spreading
Malala Yousafzai made arrangements to send back refugees to their respective countries and give them education, instead of opening refugee camps worldwide and spreading more instability (‘Refugee girls, hoping for more than survival, need education — Malala’, Gulf News, September 15). She shouldn’t pretend to be so innocent, though. Do not forget the fact that the irresponsible attitudes of many so-called world leaders has only lead to the spread of terrorism. The world has reached a point where it has barbaric terrorists like Daesh.
From Mr Gireesh Babu
Dubai
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Hurting yourself only
People should be given advice not to destroy things, since the Indian government’s losses are its citizens’ losses, too (‘Facebook live: Latest updates on Bengaluru protests’, Gulf News, September 15). Things will not function properly if we destroy our surroundings, and it will only put the common man in more trouble and ruin the country.
From Mr Syed Ifthikar
UAE
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Sounds like Bush
The war has just started and it will take a generation to finish those who think we are half the human beings they are (‘We all have endured too much since 9/11’, Gulf News, September 12). The terrorists think we should be converted or killed, and that ideology needs to be changed or destroyed before it destroys us.
As former US President George Bush said, it is either ‘you are with us or against us’. This is the reality of their ideology, but they don’t say it in words, rather through their deeds. Those deeds are clear to see.
From Mr Jose Fernandes
UAE
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