Do we need 10-day holiday for Ramadan?

Reader welcome a 10-day holiday for Ramadan. Other topics: sunlight and health, war, driving, cruelty to animals

Readers say there are many reasons why the last 10 days of Ramadan should be public holidays. Pawan Singh / The National

Why not make it easier (not harder) for all Muslims to worship (Why we don't need 10 days off for Ramadan (May 25))? Especially, since the last 10 days will be the hardest. I imagine the heat and the fasting take their toll on an individual by then.

Adding work into the mix just adds more hardship and may make it harder to worship appropriately.

I’m not Muslim but I greatly admire the commitment, dedication and self-discipline it takes to worship during Ramadan.

Jennifer Wilkinson, Abu Dhabi

It’s better to have more Eid holidays. However, this Ramadan will be much more difficult than previous ones. So I think making the last 10 days of Ramadan public holidays is justified.

Salman Ahmed, Sharjah

From an economic perspective, such a long holiday does not make sense. Let’s not go overboard.

Zak Khan, Abu Dhabi

Making the last 10 days of Ramadan public holidays is a really good idea. It will be particularly beneficial for people working in the private sector.

They usually don’t get any long holiday and most of them work at least nine hours a day from Saturday to Thursday.

Lory Guarte Caro, Abu Dhabi

No alternative to sunlight

Your editorial Do the best heat packs come from the sun? (May 19) was interesting. There can be no alternative to the warmth one can get from the sun and the UAE has an abundance of sunshine, making it an ideal place for those trying to get rid of muscular and joint aches and replenish their levels of Vitamin D.

While there are supplements, massages and other variants available to heal such conditions, sunlight is the most cost-effective and helpful cure.

Fatima Suhail, Sharjah

Generations defeated in wars

The report Yemenis struggle in impoverished Djibouti after fleeing war (May 24) is shocking, although there is nothing surprising about it.

This situation is common in most war-hit regions. The condition of elders, in particular, is beyond imagination as they need physical or medical support all the time.

The other group that is most vulnerable is young women.

It’s unfortunate that war and conflict have become part of life of millions of people today.

The fallout of these wars has far-reaching implications. A generation is coming up without education or hope for getting jobs.

The places where they live have no basic infrastructure. Imagine the future.

Ramachandran Nair, Oman

It’s not just about speeding

I agree that enforcement of rules is key (Enforcement alone will help make roads safer, May 15). Every law that has to do with operating a vehicle needs to be enforced. This week, my wife was tailgated for about 10 minutes by an SUV driver, because she honked at him. Also this week, I almost collided head-on with another car, because the driver was busy texting.

Name withheld by request

Camel picture is disturbing

I saw a very disturbing image of a frightened camel being forced on to a pickup truck to be slaughtered (Camels are reluctant travellers, May 23).

I have respect and compassion for animals and I think it is not ethical to print such an image, unless the accompanying article is to encourage people to treat animals with compassion.

I don’t eat meat because I love animals. We should encourage people to be compassionate towards animals.

Name withheld by request