UAE praised for accommodating residents’ faiths

Readers have their say about the UAE attitude toward its Christian minority celebrating Christmas. Other topics: Sharjah pets, mixed marriages, gender roles and Indian politics.

Readers praise the UAE for welcoming the traditions of its Christian minority. Photo: Satish Kumar / The National

Peter Hellyer's article, The UAE's history of tolerance deserves wider recognition (December 23), reaffirms my belief about the UAE being an open country.

There are differences between us, but the great respect felt towards others in terms of religion and culture is the source of the peace and equality we all enjoy.

It’s the reason why Dubai is one of the world’s best cities and has a booming economy like no other Arab city.

J-r Aurelio Ballad, Dubai

When Muslims go to other countries, we generally try to live by the local rules. When they come to ours, we try to allow them to practice life in as comfortable a manner as possible, the way they want to.

I had to go to school in the West during Eid and when I asked for a special exemption for religious reasons, it was not granted. I was counted as absent.

Yet here many companies give Christmas off to employees and the schools are off. The examples go on and on.

It cannot be said that countries like the UAE are doing very little to accommodate those of other faiths. It’s the other way around.

Genan El-Sayed, Dubai

The fact that I have been wished a happy Christmas by several Muslims stands as testament to the acceptance of other faiths in the UAE.

Michelle Marie, Al Ain

Big cats are not the real danger

In relation to your news article that those with dangerous pets will now face fines (Sharjah dangerous pet amnesty ends on Tuesday, December 22), I would like to know is what will happen to these animals.

I would have thought animal welfare is of primary importance.

Emma Brain, Dubai

This rule appears to only protect humans from dangerous animals, and not animals from dangerous humans.

Caroline Fernandez, Dubai

In praise of ‘third culture kids’

With regard to Khalid Al Ameri's essay about how some FNC members don't want Emiratis to marry foreigners (In the UAE's marriage debate, we have to stop looking back to the past, December 22), my view is children take after the most pervasive influence.

If the mother is the one who is home with them, they will adopt more of her values and customs. If they grow up in the UAE, that will also influence them strongly – regardless of their parents’ nationalities.

I am American and my husband is German. My children are in no way noticeably German because we don’t live there and I am always with them while my husband is at work.

They believe in old-fashioned American values and, from living their whole lives in the UAE, you will never catch them wearing short clothes that expose their shoulders or stomachs or accidentally pointing the soles of their feet at someone.

So my values and those of the UAE are their strongest influences regardless of gender.

Their multinational friends also exert an influence. All this makes for pretty amazing people in the UAE. They are able to take the best from each culture.

Christie King Eckardt, Abu Dhabi

It is wonderful to grow up with different backgrounds because it means children will be able to learn from more cultures than just one.

These people often become the best citizens in the world.

Brigitte von Bulow, Abu Dhabi

We are equal, not identical

One reaction to your recent Review article (In a world in flux, what's the point of men? December 20) claimed the two sexes can never be equal.

That’s the old stereotype that men cannot cook and clean and women cannot run a company. Now we know that both genders can do both jobs very well.

It’s not about being identical, it’s about being equal.

Sanchita Guha, India

I am all for female empowerment but to me an obvious fact that a lot of smart, educated women fail to see is that equality is a subjective term.

Certain jobs are simply more physiologically suited for men and others suit women.

Jayadevi Palekanda, Abu Dhabi

How will Modi break through?

Your story, Modi's deafening silence on hindu conversions (December 22) was good to read.

Opposition parties  take Mr Modi’s silence as aggravating the situation.

All the political parties should realise how much money a non-functioning parliament costs. Will this logjam be solved in the country’s interests?

K Ragavan, India