Where does all the money go?

A reader wants to know how the proceeds from number-plate auctions are spent. Other topics: Ramadan, enforcement, UK property

A reader seeks to know how the proceeds from the number-plate auction will be spent.

The article Emirati businessman pays Dh18m to be 'number one' motorist in Sharjah (June 6) failed to mention one vital piece of information: what is done with the money earned from the auctions? Previous auctions helped build a hospital.

Laila Al Hassan, Dubai

People have way too much money to waste.

Chris Reid, Dubai

Common sense goes a long way. Despite all the poverty, wars and political instability in the Middle East, people are building castles in the sky.

Umal Botan Issak, Uganda

What a waste of money. Instead, the winning bidder could have helped many poor people.

Niloufer Mirza, Dubai

Time to set our priorities

Ramadan, a very special month, has come again, giving us the opportunity to start planning for self-development. This is also the best time to ponder what is important and what we want to achieve in life. Here are some tips that might be helpful:

Get into a dialogue with your heart. There are times when the hearts do not support our actions, but we ignore it. Now is the time to listen to the heart.

Spend some time alone every day for contemplation. Think of what has gone wrong in your life or why you have not been happy despite all that you have. Come up with resolutions to improve yourself and leave bad habits and attitudes. Then pray for strength.

Mend broken relationships. If you have not been on good terms with a friend or a family member, honour Ramadan by reconciling with them.

Be kind and exercise patience, because patience is crucial for success in anything you do. It’s the most powerful tool. If angry, restrain yourself and think before uttering something.

Remember, every success starts with a single step and every step starts with an intention. May you become successful in life with the blessing of the Almighty during Ramadan.

Ali Al Aradi, Bahrain

Your Ramadan graphic was interesting. I think there should be a limit on fasting hours, especially in countries where days are longer. Perhaps they could follow Mecca timing.

Aziza Al Busaidy, Dubai

Enforcement is the key

Although e-cigarettes are banned here (E-cigarettes remain unlicensed for import and sale, June 1), like many other banned items they are easily available in this country. If we are serious about these things, we need to ensure that banned means banned.

It’s concerning that despite having laws and regulations in place, most of them remain unenforced. This is not going to benefit the society in any way.

Name withheld by request

Despite the ban on shisha cafes, many of them continue to operate with impunity. Some of them are in residential areas, where customers smoke in the open air. Complaints do not help.

To root out a problem, it’s important to address the root cause of it, not the symptoms.

Daniel Bryant, Abu Dhabi

UK property market is stable

I would really like you to stop putting out stories about the London property market collapsing – this is so not going to happen (Brexit clauses in UK property deals as Gulf investors hold back, June 6).

Can I please also remind everyone that the JP Morgans of this world are not going to suddenly uproot and move to Frankfurt?

Can I please remind you that their 4,000 staff actually like living in London and will not readily want to sell their houses in London? It is still and will remain a “no brainer” investment.

These clauses are actually more to do with the London agents securing and closing sales for their monthly targets than it is to do with real property prices in London.

There is no real “uncertainty” regarding Brexit ­– it is going to happen. The average British voter is totally committed to a Brexit.

Helena Murrell, UK