After reading your report, It's not only Christians who get into the Christmas spirit in the UAE (December 24), I have to say that I love the festive spirit of Christmas and remember celebrating it with my grandpa when I was young.
If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t know what Christmas was. Every year, we went to see all the lighted houses on the street.
Every religion should see the wonderful festive side of this holiday.
Soad Elashrfi, Dubai
We celebrate Christmas with multiple nationalities who are Christians, Muslims and Hindus.
Bless the leaders of this country for encouraging this. The real message of Christmas is love.
Lata George, Dubai
I am sure Muslims are happy that one of their highly respected prophets was born and can understand perfectly why Christians celebrate his birth – even if they don’t traditionally celebrate it themselves.
Giles Heaton, Dubai
I really appreciate the UAE for its open door to the diverse beliefs of those living and working here.
Christmas is about peace and joy to all mankind.
Betty Sakalia, Abu Dhabi
According to my two little boys, any occasion involving toys being gifted to them is worth celebrating, no matter the occasion’s religious affiliation.
Nadim Karmoussa, Dubai
I was invited by my Christian friends for a Christmas party – just like so many Muslims invite non-Muslims for Iftar or Eid celebrations.
That is the spirit of sharing and it helps explain why the UAE is progressive, because of its religious tolerance.
Name withheld by request
Taxes would not leave much
With regard to your editorial, Remittances tax needs careful study (December 24), we are Abu Dhabi residents who already pay very high taxes to the USA.
No matter where we live, we have to declare every dirham or dollar we earn, even including interest from our bank accounts. If we now also have to pay more taxes here in the UAE, there will be hardly anything left.
As for the UAE, we contribute in many ways. One example is by paying high rents for our accommodation, eating at restaurants, going shopping, often flying with UAE-based airlines, making donations to the Red Crescent and special charity drives etc.
So that is how we as expatriates contribute to the UAE. So please do not start to add taxes for every expatriate in this country.
We all give back to the UAE in many positive ways, big and small. We all do our part.
Brigitte von Bulow, Abu Dhabi
I believe this would require increasing salaries to a reasonable standard in all sectors for all people.
How can you tax a person earning Dh800 or even one earning Dh20,000? Only those earning higher figures should feel the pinch.
Hasan Kato, Abu Dhabi
I think it will be a good idea to tax those who earn more instead of those who hardly earn. By contrast, remittances are mainly sent by lower-paid workers.
Gere George Kuruvilla, Dubai
Whose fault is a damp villa?
In relation to your news report, Dubai landlord insists tenant pays to fix villa swamped with damp (December 24), this is a health and safety issue and has nothing to do with the tenant.
It has to do with poor building quality, and tenants are not responsible for that.
Chris Reid, Dubai
Damp contains bacteria that can cause serious diseases.
Ahmed Adnan Shehadah, Abu Dhabi
Rabies jabs not needed in UAE
Dan's advice to take care with unfamiliar dogs (Dog bite yields a salutary lesson, December 24) is sensible, as is the advice to boost tetanus immunity following a bite – or any other wound, for that matter – if not recently vaccinated.
However in the UAE there is no need to embark on a lengthy course of rabies vaccination, as he seems to be doing.
Rabies does not exist in UAE pets, a fact recognised by authorities internationally. This is why pets may enter many countries directly from the UAE with zero or minimal quarantine periods.
Martin Wyness, British Veterinary Centre, Abu Dhabi
