Kudos to the UAE for endorsing civic duty

Our readers weigh in on dangerous driving, Iran, co-existence and Modi

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 9, 2019. Volunteers set up a 20mx20m light installation, comprised of 2,000 solar lanterns, arranged to reveal the Zayed Sustainability Prize logo. Following Show more

I write in reference to your article Sheikh Khalifa launches new government body to promote civic duty (February 8). Patrick Ryan's article on the UAE President Sheikh Khalifa's  initiative of setting up a new organisation to promote civic duty and co-operation between the private and public sectors through various community groups is certainly laudable. Today, people should be aware of the huge importance of civic duty and good, friendly communal living.

In my own country of India, there is a growing awareness of the need for cleanliness, stewardship of the environment we all share and civic duty, thanks in part to various programmes by our prime minister Narendra Modi. The President of the UAE has taken a very important step with this new initiative.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru

The world is lost without peaceful co-existence

I refer to your article UAE fund to support projects promoting peaceful co-existence launches (February 8). Peaceful co-existence is the only way to keep the world away from unwarranted wars and terrorism.

Name withheld by request

Religious scholars are there to guide, not to govern

I write in reference to Con Coughlin's opinion piece Forty years on, the Iranian people are victims of another corrupt and repressive regime (February 8). Religious scholars are there to guide governments and wider civil society on moral values and ethical codes of conduct, almost like a mentor. They are not there to rule. As the sad case of Iran demonstrates, they cannot be good rulers, as the government has a very wide area to cover, from international finance and trade to defence and diplomacy.

Name withheld by request

There is simply no excuse for dangerous driving

I refer to your article Game over: motorists warned not to play phone apps while driving (February 7). Most cars have Bluetooth and it is vital to think of others, who you might be putting in danger. The same applies with tailgating and flashing. If you are in a hurry, then please leave early. You cannot do these things elsewhere, so why do them here? Please respect other drivers – we all have loved ones to go home to.

Evon Rawlings, Dubai