Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince sets a good example

A reader says the Crown Prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, is setting a good example by promoting the benefits of exercise. Other topics: the tragedy of breast cancer and the importance of the Haj.

A reader says Sheikh Mohammed is setting a good example by joining cyclists at Yas Circuit. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court

I refer to Sheikh Mohammed leads from the front (October 3), about Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, joining cyclists at the weekly "Train Yas" event.

What a great way to promote training and exercise.

Congratulations to His Highness; he is an example to us all – walkers, joggers and runners as well as cyclists.

Well done, too, to the operators of Yas Marina Circuit for allowing people to participate in this event for free.

Alan Cardy, Abu Dhabi

Early detection is key to cancer fight

I was moved by Women shun breast exams out of fear (October 5).

This is a message to all women; it is not intended to scare you, but rather to make you aware so that you watch for every little sign of breast cancer.

My beautiful young wife, who had no family history of cancer, was breastfeeding when she started noticing a change in her skin colour.

She wasn’t sure what it was. The doctor thought it was some sort of inflammation, so he prescribed her some antibiotics and sent her home.

When she sought another opinion, the doctor prescribed even stronger antibiotics, but the “rash” would disappear for a short while, only to come back stronger and bigger.

We eventually came across a specialist who was able to diagnose it as inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), a soft-textured, rare, but very aggressive type of cancer that, if not quickly and aggressively treated, will spread all over the body.

My wife had a series of tests which showed the cancer had already spread to the ovaries.

After 30 long and difficult months of outstanding bravery, hard fighting, pain, chemotherapy, hospitals, surgeries, radiotherapy and lots of medications – some that caused even more pain – she passed away a couple of weeks ago in Canada at the age of 29 leaving behind a four-year-old son.

Name withheld by request

Save the humans, not just the planet

I am writing in reference to the essay in The Review about the world's rising population, Counting the Cost (October 5).

The Earth is perfectly fine. Over millions of years the Earth has faced far tougher conditions than a mild increase in temperature.

Hippies and other activists are always going on about saving the planet. The concern is not about how it will affect the Earth, but rather how it will affect humans. This is all about self-preservation, not that of a planet.

Earth was here long before us, and it will be here long after we are gone.

Theo Scheepers, Dubai

Haj is culmination of a Muslim’s life

The Haj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, is not just a journey; it’s an experience of a lifetime.

Haj is the name of the collective worship that also involves collective living. The pleasures and the pains are part of the journey – a duty that mankind owes to Allah.

In pursuit of the pleasure of God, the Muslim pilgrim sets out on a journey which ultimately leads to the Plains of Arafat outside Mecca. But this strenuous journey commences much earlier. It is, in fact, the culmination of a spiritual journey which starts at the beginning of the life of every Muslim on this planet.

Preparations for the Haj include learning its rituals and spiritual dimensions. It brings about a new understanding of our status in society.

It also makes one realise how insignificant we really are in the big picture of God's creation. Samaoen Osman, Abu Dhabi

An arrangement that doesn’t suit

I refer to the continuing online discussion regarding Asmaa Al Hameli's blog post Marriage is an unplanned commitment in the UAE (May 23).

In times past, women accepted everything that came their way. That is why arranged marriages were convenient.

It is not the case nowadays and traditions that used to fit society decades ago do not belong in today’s world.

Myriam N, Dubai

Television show reflects unreality

After reading Abu Dhabi's real housewives (October 6), about women who would like to star in a TV show, I would prefer to meet the real businesswomen of the UAE – women who do something good for society, the environment, human rights and so on.

This “real housewife” stuff is putting women back a century.

Brigitte von Bulow, Abu Dhabi