Readers discuss how to get food to those in need during Ramadan. Vidhyaa / The National
Readers discuss how to get food to those in need during Ramadan. Vidhyaa / The National

Time to get food to those in need all year round



I am pleased with your report about unused iftar food going to the needy (Excess food from Emirates Palace iftars distributed to Abu Dhabi's needy, June 12).

It is heartening to know that Emirates Palace is making every effort in collaboration with the Red Crescent to put leftover food to good use and prevent wastage.

Sharing, helping those in need and offering charity are the essence of Ramadan. And to feed the hungry is one of the most noble and rewarding deeds.

I hope that hotels and restaurants across the country follow suit and contribute towards helping the needy, some of whom cannot afford two decent meals a day.

Fatima Suhail, Sharjah

This is great to see and well done to Emirates Palace. It would be even more amazing if Emirates Palace and other hotels continued this generous giving after Ramadan.

There is always so much excess food from brunches that could go to needy hungry people rather than waste it.

Siobhan Sheehy, Abu Dhabi

This should be done by all hotels not only during Ramadan but throughout the year. They usually throw all of the excess food in the rubbish.

We can use this Ramadan as the start of a drive to end hunger and help those in need.

Hanna Sharabaika, Dubai

It's a shame this is only done during Ramadan. There is a real chance to do this type of service throughout the year because we enjoy abundance in this country and have to encourage initiatives that share the bounty across society.

Kim Marsh, Dubai

Great to read this story during the holy month of Ramadan. What can we do to encourage other hotels to follow suit?

Many of my friends talk about food during this time of year and try to think of the best ways to help the needy.

It is great to see one hotel start a trend but what can I do as an individual in my daily life throughout the year?

Wish there was something I could do throughout the year.

Zelma Gonsalves De Souza, Dubai

Another horrible US shooting

Innocent people have been killed in a Florida nightclub shooting rampage. It was the deadliest mass shooting on American soil. While the attack may be connected with international extremists, the fact is that the shooter was easily able to get high-powered firearms.

Americans must make a decision if they want their people to have easy access to these weapons. President Obama said that he would end this gun culture because it harmed peace. I pray for the victims and the grieving family members.

K Ragavan, India

We need better drone laws

I found your editorial about the proper use and regulation of drones timely (Drone use needs clear regulations, June 12).

As with many other technological innovations, commercially available and affordable drones, combined with additional technology, present many opportunities and threats.

How we as nations adapt to the evolving nature of the situation presented by drone use is the real test, and shows our character and values.

David Debye, Abu Dhabi

The real cause of racism

I am writing about racism in India (Racism is a clear and deadly reality in India, June 1). No one hates just to hate. There are other factors at work.

It is always easy to consider yourself an outcast or victim of racism, but many people do not make any attempt to do something positive to change negative views of them.

If you integrate in society, are kind and work hard, there is not one nation or people who dislike you.

There are too many people complaining everywhere in the world about racism when they could be doing something about it.

Brigitte von Bulow, Abu Dhabi

A lot of what is written here is political propaganda of a certain party to gain sympathy. Racism has long been used for such goals and so why should this situation be any different?

Mustafa Hamid, Abu Dhabi

The biog

Hometown: Cairo

Age: 37

Favourite TV series: The Handmaid’s Tale, Black Mirror

Favourite anime series: Death Note, One Piece and Hellsing

Favourite book: Designing Brand Identity, Fifth Edition

Director: Romany Saad
Starring: Mirfat Amin, Boumi Fouad and Tariq Al Ibyari

Common OCD symptoms and how they manifest

Checking: the obsession or thoughts focus on some harm coming from things not being as they should, which usually centre around the theme of safety. For example, the obsession is “the building will burn down”, therefore the compulsion is checking that the oven is switched off.

Contamination: the obsession is focused on the presence of germs, dirt or harmful bacteria and how this will impact the person and/or their loved ones. For example, the obsession is “the floor is dirty; me and my family will get sick and die”, the compulsion is repetitive cleaning.

Orderliness: the obsession is a fear of sitting with uncomfortable feelings, or to prevent harm coming to oneself or others. Objectively there appears to be no logical link between the obsession and compulsion. For example,” I won’t feel right if the jars aren’t lined up” or “harm will come to my family if I don’t line up all the jars”, so the compulsion is therefore lining up the jars.

Intrusive thoughts: the intrusive thought is usually highly distressing and repetitive. Common examples may include thoughts of perpetrating violence towards others, harming others, or questions over one’s character or deeds, usually in conflict with the person’s true values. An example would be: “I think I might hurt my family”, which in turn leads to the compulsion of avoiding social gatherings.

Hoarding: the intrusive thought is the overvaluing of objects or possessions, while the compulsion is stashing or hoarding these items and refusing to let them go. For example, “this newspaper may come in useful one day”, therefore, the compulsion is hoarding newspapers instead of discarding them the next day.

Source: Dr Robert Chandler, clinical psychologist at Lighthouse Arabia

Zidane's managerial achievements

La Liga: 2016/17
Spanish Super Cup: 2017
Uefa Champions League: 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18
Uefa Super Cup: 2016, 2017
Fifa Club World Cup: 2016, 2017

The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima


Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650

Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder

Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm

Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission

Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km

Fifa Club World Cup:

When: December 6-16
Where: Games to take place at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi and Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain
Defending champions: Real Madrid

The Brutalist

Director: Brady Corbet

Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn

Rating: 3.5/5

The biog

Name: James Mullan

Nationality: Irish

Family: Wife, Pom; and daughters Kate, 18, and Ciara, 13, who attend Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS)

Favourite book or author: “That’s a really difficult question. I’m a big fan of Donna Tartt, The Secret History. I’d recommend that, go and have a read of that.”

Dream: “It would be to continue to have fun and to work with really interesting people, which I have been very fortunate to do for a lot of my life. I just enjoy working with very smart, fun people.”

A State of Passion

Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi

Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah

Rating: 4/5

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