I write in reference to your article All Dubai private schools must cater for special needs children by 2020 (January 27): this is such fantastic news. Can we please note that as of April 2017, thanks to the national strategy for empowering people with disabilities introduced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, they are called "people of determination". These children are not disabled. They are able and determined.
Pam Durant, Dubai
It is time gender bias was eliminated in the workplace
I refer to Mina Al-Oraibi's opinion piece It will take more than a top-down approach to close the gender pay gap (January 28). This was certainly an interesting read.
The recent World Economic Forum meeting in Davos noted that gender bias is slowly eroding today but inequalities remain in some professional areas, including pay packets.
It is high time this difference was eliminated as both genders are putting in equal effort in the workplace.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru
Effort and plenty of luck will spur Iraq’s reconstruction
I refer to your article Iraqi national budget passed, but fails to meet country's reconstruction needs (January 24): it is difficult to patch up a dress that has been torn to pieces. Sincere efforts and plenty of luck are both required. I hope Iraq will rise again as it has done many times before after being ravaged.
Name withheld by request
Let’s keep big industrial trawlers out of the Gulf
I write in reference to your article Some 85 per cent of key fish species in Arabian Gulf wiped out, UAE study finds (January 29): we need to make sure that we keep the big industrial trawlers out of the Gulf. So far all I have seen are small-net fishing boats.
There is still so much marine life in the Gulf, compared to elsewhere in the world, so let’s take good care of it.
DG Ditlevsen, Abu Dhabi
Arab nations can end Syria’s war with dialogue
I write in reference to your article Russia and its partners in Syria play a game of realignment and mutual suspicion (January 27). The big question is whether or not Russia will be able to control the instincts of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad.
The worst kind of butchery in Syria has been laid bare by news reports covering the conflict. The country needs peace and Arab nations can bring it through negotiation and dialogue.
Name withheld by request
