Good marketing is the key to success of any product

Jenna, 7, with her namesake doll. A reader says marketing is crucial for the success of any product. Pawan Singh / The National

The story The doll teaching kids key verses from the Quran (July 23) was interesting. It shows that good marketing is key to success. Dolls similar to this one are available in other local markets and online, but they were not properly advertised, hence went unnoticed.

Laila Serag, Dubai

We need more such toys for our children that reflect real people, not Hollywood stereotypes.

Tanya Milbourne, Dubai

Many people are happy to receive but not give back

Your article How the UAE has taken a new approach to protect and serve (July 22) was interesting. This quote is particularly of interesting: "Universities have also tried to include community service as a degree requirement, but the initiative never gained momentum. Parents and students considered it degrading."
It really is disheartening to see how many people are happy to receive, but not give back. Education can only reinforce the message given by community leaders who themselves need to demonstrate willingness to do community service. Actions speak louder than words. Only when this becomes the norm will shame be associated with other aspects of society not related to giving back to the country that gave its people the best start they could ask for in life.

Name withheld by request

Can we live happily without our material possessions?

In reference to your report Rising materialism a threat to life satisfaction, finds UAE study (July 18), this is a side effect of living in a country that depends heavily on its tourism sector and attracts visitors by positioning itself as a global shopping destination. We're in the middle of DSS part sales and this year has already seen so many flash sales in Dubai. But I'm glad they're at least studying this and hopefully in the near future the "happiness" centres won't be all about consumer/customer services, but perhaps about the overall quality of your life as a human.

Sara Mohammad Siddiqui, Dubai

More awareness needed on Guillain-Barré syndrome

My uncle had Guillain-Barré syndrome, an autoimmune condition that left him on the verge of death. It is a horrible disease (Emirati describes year-long recovery battle after contracting crippling immune disease, July 19).

I hope Mohammed Al Hossani, makes a full recovery and his family gets the support it needs.

Hopefully this article will help raise more awareness about GBS here in the UAE.

Georgia O’Hagan,  Dubai