No issues with shawarma

Readers rue the closure of some shawarma shops in Dubai. Other topics: US election, tax, crime, US Marshall Plan, shawarma

Readers rue the decision to close nearly half of Dubai’s shawarma shops. Silvia Razgova / The National

I am surprised at the news, Almost half of all shawarma outlets in Dubai has been banned from selling the popular Arabic street food (November 2). I've eaten countless shawarmas in my life at various places and never got sick.

Jamie Maidan, Dubai

Shawarma is available in almost every part of the world. But I have never heard someone dying after eating shawarma.

Karno Baghdassarian, Dubai

This is not good news. The dingy, roadside shops have the best flavours in my opinion.

Samia Iftekhar, Dubai

This is a good step by Dubai Municipality. I think maintaining hygiene standards is important, not just for shawarma shops but other restaurants and eateries. This ban will serve as an example to other businesses that they might suffer the same fate if they do not obey the law.

It’s sad that we always talk about enforcement, but many of us do not like it when we see rules being enforced.

Name withheld by request

Will the measure against bad drivers work?

In reference to your news report 'Aggressive drivers' to be taken off Abu Dhabi roads, police say (November 2), about 40 per cent of cars move erratically on E22 and way too fast, leaping between lanes and flashing lights. I wonder how many will be taken off the road and for how long. I have seen a few such drivers wrapped around palm trees in the central reservation, but sadly they often take random sensibly driven vehicles with them.

Jeff M Evans, Abu Dhabi

Data crunching and policing by remote control will never be a proper substitute for actual police presence on the roads. I don’t know what’s so difficult to grasp about this concept. Has nobody in charge tried driving in the United States?

Name withheld by request

No choice for Americans

In reference to Majid Rafizadeh's opinion article America-Iran relations in a Clinton administration (November 2), whatever the result of the American elections will be, it will be a disaster for this part of the world. Unfortunately, Americans have no option.

Wiltrud Matthes, Abu Dhabi

Why discuss tax for expatriates?

I do not think there is any reason to discuss the tax issue if it is not on the cards (UAE personal income tax not on the cards at present, says finance ministry, November 1). What benefits do foreigners get from paying taxes here? There are no pension plans or schooling and medical benefits. Just asking foreigners to contribute to a tax base makes no sense.

Saira Aslam, Dubai

Taxes are paid in return for actual benefits. Foreigners are not getting those benefits.

Syed Humail Gohar, Abu Dhabi

Criminals will not be spared

The UAE is a tolerant society, but when it comes to terrorism no one shall be spared (Seven jailed for sharing classified information about UAE with Hizbollah, November 1). Let them face the full force of the law. Kudos to the law enforcement personnel who bring such people to justice.

Randall Mohammed, Dubai

They got what they deserved. This country believes in doing justice to all.

Ayda Farah Shehadeh, Dubai

US plan is not timely

The intention behind the call by the former US general, John Allen, for a new economic initiative for the Middle East – much like the Marshall Plan for Europe after the Second World War – is noble (Former US general calls for Marshall Plan for the Middle East, October 24). But this should have been done a long time ago. Now it’s pointless, especially when the US has military involvement in the region.

Nikhil Soneja, Sharjah