Muslim pilgrims pray at Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma (Mount of Mercy), southeast of the Saudi holy city of Mecca. AFP
Muslim pilgrims pray at Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma (Mount of Mercy), southeast of the Saudi holy city of Mecca. AFP

God bless all Hajj pilgrims on their journey to Makkah



I write to you in reference to Balquees Basalom’s live stream of her Hajj pilgrimage.

Hajj Mubarak to all of you.I am watching Ms Basalom’s journey to Hajj from London.The weather looks wonderful.

Fawzia Halim Rahman, London

May all your prayers be accepted in the holy city.

God bless all Hajj pilgrims. As an Indian national, I wish to send my warm regards to pilgrims making the journey to Makkah all the way from India.

Asif Ali, Bhuj

Sheikh Zayed: an inspiration to everyone in the UAE

I write to you in reference to Emma Day's article A flying start: Sheikh Zayed's pivotal accession to Ruler of Abu Dhabi (August 9).

Sheikh Zayed was a great UAE leader. He worked very hard to make life better for Emiratis and foreign residents alike.

His memory will live on forever in our hearts.

Kenneth Estrella Enriquez, Abu Dhabi

The world must not turn its back on Palestinians’ plight

I write to you in reference to Adnan Ghaith's opinion piece Serious and decisive action to end the occupation of Palestine is the only effective way to end the conflict (August 10).

Decisive action will only come after serious and sincere efforts to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

But it seems no one wishes to solve this problem or come to Palestine’s aid. World leaders only give empty promises, which will not achieve peace. The international community is looking the other way while Palestinians suffer. What a shame.

Nazim Hasan Khan, India

In Abu Dhabi, summertime is the enemy of weight loss

I write to you in reference to Sophie Prideaux's article Summer in the city: Six lessons I've learnt during my first hot season in Abu Dhabi (August 9).

This article is really spot on. I was thinking the very same thing today actually.

I lost weight in the wintertime, but come summer I gained back all the kilos I had managed to shed. I am trying to adopt healthier habits, but there is only so much walking one can do in the blazing summer heat.

Gianmaria Vidale, Abu Dhabi