UAE’s main attraction – quality of life

Readers point to the quality of life as the reason for many expats to spend a long time in the UAE. Other topics: FlyDubai plane crash, couples, Lebanese party, rising rents

The quality of life here is a major draw for many expatriates, a reader says. Ravindranath K / The National

I refer to Justin Thomas's opinion article Why do so many expatriates stay here for so long? (April 11). I'm from Sao Paulo, where it is impossible to feel safe. I love my country, but there's no way I would like to live there because of corruption, violence and lack of education and infrastructure. I would rather live in this country, where I can walk alone in the streets without any fear.

Fernanda Troy Rios, Dubai

Financial stability is the only reason we are here. Yes we have a great life and generally the weather is fantastic, but my family is in the UK and I shall eventually return.

Carol Goodey, Abu Dhabi

Money is a major factor, but the quality of life for many is far better than back home, particularly for white-collar workers.

When you come from a city where you have to constantly think if it’s safe to stay out late and whether you will get robbed, you appreciate the safety and sense of community this country offers.

Ian Dolan, Dubai

Blame it on control tower

I refer to the news report Russian investigators release first FlyDubai crash report (April 9). It's the control tower's responsibility to clear aircraft for take-off and landing. The tower should have diverted the FlyDubai plane to another airport. Leaving it up to the pilot wasn't wise.

A Russian Aeroflot pilot used his experience in the area to decide to go to another airport. He was flying by the seat of his pants knowing, probably, that the tower wasn’t equipped with Doppler radar.

With heavy rainfall, you expect heavy wind downdraft. The Doppler radar can see through and detect the dangerous downdraft, or microburst. That would explain the 600kph vertical speed impact.

On April 10, 2010, a Polish presidential plane crashed in similar circumstances in the city of Smolensk, Russia.

FlyDubai pilots were repeatedly asking for a weather report? Only lack of technology would necessitate that.

Yasser Al Chamli, Dubai

Let couples live their own lives

Regarding Rym Ghazal's opinion article To shield or not to shield? Only couples can decide (March 30), what is wrong with a man trying to protect his wife from evil eyes? And why is it anyone's business? If she was unhappy she could get a divorce; her husband was just being protective.

I like my man to protect me, shield me. It’s a husband loving his wife.

Nicola Mundie, Dubai

Lebanese party is not pro-Assad

Free Patriotic Movement is not "allied" with Bashar Al Assad as the article, Blowback from ISIL could hit Lebanon hard (April 6), suggests. Just because the party doesn't approve of bloodthirsty ISIL doesn't mean that it's allied with the Syrian dictator.

This party is the one that led a peaceful resistance movement against the Syrian occupation up to 2005.

It’s the one to reject the Syrian manipulation into settling Syrian refugees in Lebanon. It’s a Lebanese party so it’s pro-Lebanon. Why assign it to another country?

Name withheld by request

Regulating rents will be wise

Not regulating rents for commercial units is extremely unfair (Uncertainty among Abu Dhabi shopkeepers as rents rise up to 150 per cent, April 11). Many people put their entire life's savings into their businesses. Imagine what they go through when they are compelled to close those establishments because of their inability to afford the rent.

An unregulated rental market is also harmful for the economy, as people will be scared to invest. Small and medium-sized businesses are the heart of the economy, so they should be protected.

Wise Ahmad Ghaznavid, Sharjah

The Government must support small- and medium-sized enterprises that are facing a difficult time. Many of these businesses have grown with this country. They can’t be replaced by big companies.

Hassan Kiani, Abu Dhabi