Syria’s deepening crisis requires urgent attention

When is this region going to achieve peace and stability? Asks a reader. Other topics: dangerous driving, old languages and car washers.

LONDON 27th August 2014. Ten-year-old Emirati inventor Adeeb Al Balooshi outside the Science Museum in London. Stephen Lock for The National FOR NATIONAL

Your editorial, The Gulf must not forget Assad's brutality in Syria (August 29), was thought-provoking. That Syria remains in a parlous state is both sad and painful. That it does so is mainly due to Bashar Al Assad's arrogance and the brutality he shows towards the Syrian people. He is also indirectly responsible for the crisis in Iraq. When is this region going to achieve peace and stability?

K Ragavan, US

Who will pay to rebuild Gaza?

Who will pick up the tab for the destruction of Gaza? (Aid rolls into Gaza as truce holds, August 29) Does the government of Benjamin Netanyahu expect the European Union to pay the cost of reconstruction, rebuilding, rehousing and humanitarian aid?

Up to 17,000 buildings have been destroyed in Gaza – including schools, hospitals, clinics and even intensive care units – by Israeli troops, missiles and fighter jets.

As for the civilians who have lost their lives, nothing can compensate them for the result of this military campaign, but action can be taken by the UN and the International Criminal Court if war crimes are found to have been committed.

In addition to the basic necessities of reconstruction, it is essential that both a deep sea port and an international airport are built in Gaza.

If the Netanyahu government continues to obstruct peace, then all bilateral trade between Israel and Europe should cease until such time as it decides to adhere to international law and complies with the UN resolution.

Anthony Bellchambers, UK

We must curb dangerous drivers

With regards to your news story Bus driver in fatal Dubai crash sentenced to seven years in jail (August 28), I wanted to share my own recent observations with you.

Only last week on the Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai, I observed a bus carrying workers.

This large vehicle was being driven in an unsafe manner. It was swerving in and out of lanes, causing the bus to rock and tilt violently.

I was astounded by the incident and was left wondering how these drivers had not learnt from previous high-profile accidents and were still driving so dangerously.

The bus also seemed to be badly built and, in my opinion, should not have been licensed for the roads. Unfortunately, there were no police patrol vehicles around to report the incident to.

I wonder though, as a road user who is concerned about safety, what reasonable measures I can take to prevent a repeat of such a dangerous incident on such a busy road? Was the driver of the bus in a rush or was he simply not properly trained to drive a bus of this size.

It must be understood by these drivers that speed kills.

Randall Mohammed, Dubai

Language should be preserved

Old languages and cultures deserve to be saved. Such efforts should also be supported by government intervention (Fighting to keep alive the Philippines' ancient script, August 27).

Also “old” languages and cultures should be taught, beginning at primary school.

Name withheld by request

Don’t wash your car on the street

I write in reference to Crackdown on street car washers catches 37 offenders in just two hours (August 27). When you can get a complete car valet at a very reasonable price at most petrol stations, why would you want to get your car washed on the street using a bucket of grubby water that has most likely been used on countless other cars?

Umer Munir, Dubai

Al Blooshi is an inspiration to us all

I really enjoyed your story on Adeeb Al Blooshi, the young Emirati scientist who is currently on a world tour to help build up awareness of his inventions, which include a prosthetic limb for his father and a housework robot for his mother (10-year-old Emirati inventor with seven patents has much more to contribute, August 27). What a lovely young lad he is.

Jen Bishop, Abu Dhabi

Adeeb Al Blooshi is such a wonderful ambassador for the UAE and all children. He is truly an Einstein in the making.

Brigitte von Bulow, Abu Dhabi

Sheikh Hamdan’s endurance win

Congratulations to Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed for winning the endurance gold medal at the Altech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy. It is an inspirational win, especially as conditions have been so tough for competitors this year. Let this win inspire all UAE athletes to excel in all sports they participate in.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi