New mega mall will be like an indoor city centre

Violence is marring what is supposed to be the beautiful game. Other topics: Mall of the World, Dubai property prices and Filipina Muslim convert.

A reader says violent tackles, like this one that injured Brazil's Neymar, are increasingly common. AP Photo/ Manu Fernandez

With regard to your article, Mall of the World: Largest shopping centre on the planet unveiled in Dubai (July 6), much of the comment about this is how we don't need more malls.

Considering how busy Mall of the Emirates and Dubai Mall – the other two major malls are – I find this response interesting.

At the end of the day, these aren’t really malls – they are indoor city centres because the weather doesn’t allow for central business districts of the kind found outdoors in most other countries.

These malls feature hotels, offices, dentists, doctors and post offices, as well as sporting facilities and food outlets.

Kathy Johnston, Australia

Instead of being a copy cat of the other major malls, I think this should be a Mall of Technology – to see just how far advanced a mall can be.

Sheikh Walid Falasteen, UK

The size of the mall is less important than the quality of service being offered. Having been in Dubai recently we saw a lot of shop assistants and service personnel who were not only unprofessional but also ill-mannered.

It felt more like what you might find in a big village, not in Dubai. It seems to me it is getting worse each year, with prices going up but the quality of service going down.

Muna Hussein, Kazakhstan

I originally thought the Mall of the Emirates was massive but then I went to the Dubai Mall and thought: “Wow, this place never ends.” What will this new even bigger one be like?

Eoin Curry, Dubai

I want to know is if there will be a place to rent bicycles inside this new mall. Otherwise how would we get from one end to the other?

Melanie Pavic, Dubai

Ugly incidents mar the beautiful game

In reference to your news item about Brazil losing superstar striker Neymar for the World Cup after fracturing his vertebrae during the match with Colombia (Neymar injury could spell trouble for Brazil's title hopes, July 6), he was the hero of the Brazilian team and his loss will be severely felt by everyone.

Millions of television viewers like me watched the Colombia defender Juan Zuniga knee Neymar in an unnecessary and brutal tackle. I believe the Colombian was going for the player, not the ball.

This kind of incident is happening with increasing frequency. When players are unable to get to the ball with their feet, they crash against the players and even kick them. While some instances are noticed by referees, many others go without any penalty.

Football is supposed to be the beautiful game, not freestyle wrestling. I believe the Brazilian coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari, is right when he alleged that Neymar has been “hunted”. Appropriate punishment needs to be meted out.

Rajendra K Aneja, Dubai

Predicting Dubai’s real estate prices

With regard to your news story, UAE oversupply of property means a correction ahead (July 4), one can but hope that this is so.

But a lot of those listings on Dubizzle are duplicates of the same property being sold by different agents, so perhaps the number is a little higher than reality?

Brett Pearson, Abu Dhabi

I’m in the real estate business and aside from the point that a lot of the listings include units that have already been sold or rented, I believe a closer look at the figures would quickly show that the supply now is no different to what it has been since the start of the year.

I believe the market is already correcting itself – although by a far lower amount than mentioned in this article – and by September we will once again be seeing prices increase.

Sam McCone, Dubai

I don’t see a correction for another year or two. Maybe prices will stabilise or dip by 10 to 15 per cent but I don’t think there will be another crash in the near future.

Tarek M Tabbara, Dubai

Family support for Muslim convert

The support Therly Mainit (Filipina convert celebrates first Ramadan in UAE, July 5) received from her family is an example of love, respect and tolerance.

Patricia D'Almeida Bianco, Dubai

Thanks to God, and thanks to this country’s respect, treatment and example.

Hala El Adawi, Egypt

Laudable actions for Indian nurses

Your story, Indian nurses trapped in Iraq arrive home safely (July 6), described a laudable initiative.

People caught in these kinds of situations need this type of action from their governments to ensure they remain safe, no matter where they are. I hope this present Indian government will act like this again in future incidents.

K Ragavan, US