Interfaith dialogue brings out the greatest truth

Letters written by readers

With tongue in cheek, a reader points out some of the unique challenges that James Bond would face in following a case in Dubai. HO/AP
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In the front page news article Call to foster interfaith dialogue (January 22) Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, president of Zayed University and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, said that universities must lead the way in fostering dialogue between religious faiths. Interfaith dialogue is indeed an important and necessary concept to practise in this ever-changing world where in the name of religion, powerful confrontations are created and can mislead.
Interfaith connectivity is very much needed to understand othera and be understood by them. All religions teach love and tolerance. It is time that this emphasis be highlighted for the inter-connection of human goals.
We all strive to be better human beings and live harmoniously. This is the greatest truth and should not be forgotten. It's about time we all learn to live and let live.
Zehra Adeel Khan, Abu Dhabi

Due date for petrol cars

In reference to the news article

Electric cars shift from concept to viable alternative

(January 22), electric cars will probably replace the current internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles within 25 years. There will still be internal combustion engines in some vehicles used as small generators on some of the largest and heaviest vehicles.

The ICE had a great run for 100 years, but technology, just like humans, evolves. I wouldn't go selling my oil stock just yet though. There is enough demand for every last drop we can pump out of the ground for the manufacturing industry alone as well as transportation for developing nations that will take longer to switch to electrics.

Tom Monoughney,

US

A great traffic experience

I had a great experience I'd like to share with your readers. I was hit from behind at a traffic light on Saturday. I rang the police and within three minutes there were two Saaed vehicles to apportion blame. Both individuals (Yemeni) spoke perfect English. They were very polite and knew the laws of the UAE.

What could have been an awful experience was, in fact, moderately pleasurable - due to the professionalism of these two Saaed individuals.

Roger Warren,

Abu Dhabi

Challenges for James Bond

This refers to the recent report,

Unbroken Bond

(January 23), about the new James Bond novel Carte Blanche and possible subsequent movie featuring James Bond's escapades in Dubai. For all his suaveness  and panache James Bond will find that the city of Dubai is a different ball game from all the other cities in the world.

To begin with Bond will simply be twiddling his thumbs having to play second fiddle to the Dubai police as they are quick to solve almost all the crimes, national and international, and unearth the conspiracies behind them.

Bond will also need to modify his famous introduction line. Simply saying: "The name is Bond, James Bond" will not cut much ice here, unless there is a local mobile number to follow. Without an Etisalat or du mobile number, Mr Bond will not be able to forge any bonds in Dubai.

Since he will be in Dubai on a work assignment, Bond will need to have a medical check up before he gets the visa stamped. Chasing the villains  in his trade mark Q-fitted Aston Martin and swerving across lanes above permissible speed  on Sheikh Zayed Road will result in Bond's car being impounded for six months. It will be much safer for Mr Bond to take the Metro to try to locate  the bad guys.

And finally, Mr Bond will do well to avoid Burj Khalifa and its vicinity as he is likely to be ambushed there by the swinging-from-the-top Tom Cruise and his Mission Impossible 4 team.

Amitabh Saxena

, Dubai

A vote for the Arabic violinist

In reference to Rym Ghazal's opinion column From

Breakdancing to rap, Arab youth have got talent

(January 20), I also watched the premiere of the Arabs Got Talent TV show because I was interested to see Arab talent. Unfortunately, I couldn't watch all the show because of my baby but I saw a good part of it. I have to mention that I don't speak Arabic so I didn't understand one word. I tried to guess what the judges impressions were from their countenance and voice, and the contestants' reactions. Maybe next time there will be subtitles in English.

I liked the boy playing the violin and I figured out that he was playing an Arab song. I didn't know that he was voted out and I am surprised because he was the only one I saw performing something "Arabic". And Ms Ghazal is right: there was too much breakdance, Michael Jackson and western representation.

Clementina K,

Abu Dhabi