Inspirational look at the UAE

A reader says old photographs published in The National demonstrate how far the country has come in a short time. Other topics: the Arab youth survey, medical centres and a leap of faith.

A reader says the photographs by Captain James Stokes, including this one of Dubai Creek, remind us of how far the UAE has progressed in such a short time. Courtesy Michael Stokes
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Arab youths' envy of the UAE lifestyle is understandable

I was pleased to read Emirates a shining light for Arab youth (April 10), about the survey finding that 31 per cent of young Arabs would like to live in the UAE.

Of all the Arab nations, the UAE is the most promising and the one to be emulated.

Some people say the UAE is a difficult place to live. Life isn't easy for me as a western woman here, but it would be just as difficult for an Emirati woman to live in the West.

We all want and need different things.

Patricia Geiger, Abu Dhabi

Costly weddings can't replace love

Whatever their nationality, couples who are about to be married - and their families - should take note of Ayesha Al Khoori's blog post, Dawn of the Dh8m wedding: how egos trump love in UAE's modern marriages (April 1).

Even some celebrities are now opting for low-key weddings, because they want their day to be special and not a circus.

Over-the-top wedding expenses do not guarantee a union for life.

ME Rahman, Sharjah

Photos show how nation has grown

I refer to the pictures taken by Captain James Stokes (Photos from 1960s portray an Abu Dhabi long gone, April 10).

It is hard to believe that the UAE looked how it appears in these pictures until just a few years ago. The country has truly come a long way.

Fatima Suhail, Dubai

All parties must join peace talks

I am writing in reference to UN food delivery to Gaza suspended (April 6).

It is about time that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency started punishing Hamas.

But President Mahmoud Abbas is right; Israel and the Palestinians should return to negotiations. Hamas should participate in them as well.

Tim Upham, UK

Rapists should be punished severely

I am writing about Maid gang-raped after her drink was spiked, court told (April 11).

If found guilty of the crime, the defendants must be punished under UAE law, then banned forever from re-entering the country.

I commend the bravery of the maid in coming forward. Who knows how many more women have been betrayed in this way?

A Nawaz, Abu Dhabi

Appointments must be kept

I am dismayed by the initiative to abolish appointments at family medical clinics in Dubai (Healthcare bookings scrapped, April 9).

I am sure this will cause chaos. At the slightest sniffle or cough, many people rush off to medical centres in the hope that the doctor will prescribe them something to cure their ailment.

This prevents their own immune systems from fighting the virus from within, weakening their bodies and creating a dependence on prescription drugs.

While I think there should be centres dedicated entirely to walk-ins, primary health care centres should focus on dealing with genuine bookings.

However, if a patient fails to turn up for their appointment three times in a row at one of these centres, they should be penalised and forced to pay the full cost of missing a consultation.

In the UK, only 30 minutes of a doctor's time is allocated to walk-ins, and this is at the end of his normal working day.

Name withheld by request

Skydiving grandad has the right stuff

The story about Dick Corbit's parachute jump (86 is leap year for grandad, April 11) is proof that America's "greatest generation" were and are fearless and courageous.

T Adams, Dubai

Travel suggestion for famous couple

I am writing in response to Beyoncé and Jay Z's Cuba visit sparks controversy (April 10).

Maybe next year they'll visit Pyongyang.

Douglas Glass, US