A timely campaign against Islamophobia

Protesters from the English Defence League take part in a demonstration in Birmingham. A reader praises a recent public awareness campaign to counter right wing Islamophobia in the UK.

I refer to the news item UK Muslims in battle for hearts and minds (January 20). It was a pleasant surprise to read this story about the campaign to counter Islamophobia. Finally someone decided to actually prove by actions and practical steps the real teachings of Islam and convey its message in a peaceful and logical way. I have been visiting the UK and Europe regularly over the past 20 years and have seen attitudes change and harden over this time. Unfortunately the burden lies to a great extent on those firebrand so-called Muslim leaders who follow their own agenda. They have done a great disservice to Islam and tarnished its name. This "hearts and minds" initiative in the UK deserves full support from all peace-loving Muslims in the UK and abroad. I hope this campaign will not become a victim to internal infighting among Muslim factions. Farooq Ahmad Khalid, Abu Dhabi

The article US wary of Yemeni gas tankers (January 9) addressed the issue of liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments from Yemen to the US. The author was inaccurate in describing LNG as "explosively flammable".  In reality, LNG is a safe, environmentally friendly fuel that does not pose greater risks than other fuels transported every day throughout the world. LNG is not stored under pressure and it is not explosive or flammable in its liquid state. Although a large amount of energy is stored in LNG, it cannot be released rapidly enough to cause the over-pressures associated with an explosion.  LNG shipments have been safely entering Boston Harbor since 1971, and the prospect of an LNG tanker exploding runs counter to the many decades of actual shipping experience. Bill Cooper, President, Center for Liquefied Natural Gas, Washington, DC

With reference to Colin Randall's article Common behaviour is no substitute for common courtesy, (January 19), I'm sure there are areas of Britain where the Campaign for Courtesy would be welcome. Yet we have just spent three months in Norwich, a busy prosperous city with an animated nightlife. Everyone we encountered was very pleasant. I do not recall hearing any bad language or seeing any drunks in the streets.

Here in Gibraltar where we are spending the next three months, the atmosphere in the streets seems just as pleasant, though we have not yet been out at night. Yesterday a motorcyclist stopped to wave me across the street. It would be useful if the campaign spread to the land of real discourtesy. When it comes to ignoring customers' phone calls, e-mails and letters - not to mention endangering the life of pedestrians and blocking seats and doorways on public transport - one country has no equal. Devinez ou! Sheona Hutcheson, Gibraltar

The article Island resort to have electric buses (January 20) described how electric buses will convey tourists around Sir Bani Yas Island. While US congressmen struggle with climate legislation and clean energy reform, at least they have an emissions-free ride to the proceedings. The Proterra electric bus recently made its debut on Capitol Hill, and looks set to deliver zero emission, fast-charging public transportation. Many zero-emission buses are already in operation. Sumi Tiwari, Dubai

I laughed out loud when I read the article Ministry faults slow driving by women (January 16). The majority of deaths are young males who were driving at outrageous speeds. It seems to me that this would be proof enough as to where the biggest problem really lies. It's true I've observed many women on their mobile phones while driving or texting or holding their small children on their laps, but even more of these offenders are men. Other offences include driving without seat belts and cars following too closely, especially dangerous on highways when speed would make the impact all the worse.

Canadian and American laws are very strict when it comes to these issues, as they should be. It's second nature for me to put my seat belt on as soon as I get in the car, and I feel very uncomfortable when sitting in a car with others who don't wear theirs. The lack of respect for other drivers here is beyond belief. It's only getting worse. Drivers beep at red lights and beep when you stop for pedestrians. Drivers weave in and out of traffic, not signalling, shouting rudely. It's totally out of control. Abu Dhabi has a real problem on its hands and it needs to be solved. If public transportation were better here, I'd gladly sell my car so that I wouldn't have to deal with the everyday stresses of driving here.

Chris M, Abu Dhabi