Expatriates enjoy UAE, but know they must leave

Readers comment on the reasons the UAE is popular with workers from the UK, and the fact that TravelAdvisor has named the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque as one of the world's top landmarks.

A reader praises Sheihk Zayed Grand Mosque, saying it deserves a spot among the world's great landmarks. Ravindranath K / The National

I would like to comment on Seeking quality of life? UK expats happy to head to the UAE (June).

Everyone who comes to the UAE knows that it is a temporary destination.

Because expatriates can never can get an Emirati passport and have to renew their residency ­papers every two or three years, we are never sure if we can stay.

The UAE is a wonderful country to live – but only for a while. There is no permanence; we all have to leave sooner or later.

Brigitte von Bulow, Abu Dhabi

The UAE is definitely the safest place I have ever lived – and that is high on my priority list.

Name withheld by request

I think the cost of property is far too expensive in the UAE.

Also, there is no security of your stay. If you lose your job, you lose your visa.

A Cambridge, UK

Children’s safety must come first

I refer to the editorial How to ensure children's safety on UAE roads (June 16).

Ban people from driving if they’re caught with their children not strapped in. That should work.

Iain Samson, Dubai

It makes me sick to see people driving with an infant in the front of a car with no seat belt while the parents are buckled in.

Robert Bradley, Abu Dhabi

How could any driver not think of what will happen to their children in case of an accident?

S Mously, Dubai

City taxi drivers deserve better

I feel sorry for taxi drivers (Plans for taxi village stalls as cabbies live in labour camps, June 16).

Low-paid workers are the backbone of society but they are sometimes not treated with respect.

Name withheld by request

It’s not much of a life for taxi drivers. I’ve seen passengers run from taxis so they don’t have to pay.

Judith Welling, Abu Dhabi

Mosque truly is a grand landmark

I enjoyed your online gallery and agree that Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is a world-class attraction (UAE features among TripAdvisor’s top 10 world landmarks, June 17).

The architecture and whole ­energy around it certainly makes it one of a kind.

Zehra Fattah, Dubai

Caution needed on property law

I am writing in reference to Dubai examines crackdown on flipping of off-plan property (June 16).

Before any such regulation came into place, owners would rush to sell. With so many people wanting to sell, the market would be flooded with property.

The influx of supply could cause sellers to try to undercut each other on price.

This could trigger a wider lack of confidence in existing real estate asset prices, which could start a deflationary spiral.

Dan Clarke, Dubai

The authorities should just ban reselling property until the owner has the completion deeds. This should be easy enough to do.

Brett Pearson, Dubai

Crocodiles aren’t big enough news

King and Queen Croc are Dubai's new celebrity couple (June 17) surprised me.

The story says that King Croc is “one of the biggest crocodiles on the planet”.

It’s amazing Dubai didn’t buy the biggest crocodile in the world.

Derek Mulder, Dubai

Cartoonist’s skill is appreciated

I liked Shadi Ghanim’s cartoon depicting pieces falling off Iraq behind the government’s back (June 11).

Ghanim’s cartoons are excellent depictions of the news making headlines.

He is definitely one of the best in this business.

Name witheld by request

All workers should benefit from break

I was concerned to read Not all workers benefit from midday break (June 15).

I believe that this law should ­apply to all labourers who work outdoors during the day.

DD Chatterjee, Dubai