With regard to your business article, Emirates executives rebuff US airlines' claims of $40 billion in subsidies to Gulf carriers (February 11), this is not a case of airlines here having an unfair advantage.
I would pay twice the ticket price to fly in the comfort of Etihad or Emirates than set foot in any American airline with their horrible service. This is particularly the case with long-haul flights, such as from Abu Dhabi to my hometown in Texas.
If American airlines really want to compete, they are going to have to raise their standards.
Kadija Muhammad, Abu Dhabi
The American airlines are just jealous.
They are protected too because foreign airlines are restricted in where they can fly to in the US.
John Browning, Dubai
I agree that there is no unfair advantage over the American airlines. Etihad and Emirates provide much better service, comfort and amenities.
This means that I would rather fly Gulf carriers over any domestic US airlines.
Shone Jemmott, Dubai
Gender equality reflects society
I have been very impressed with the content of recent editions of The National, and particularly with the articles about education and being taught the benefits of how to research effectively.
Ayesha Almazroui's article, The gender gap will remain until opinions change (December 21) recently caught my attention.
Opinions do not simply appear out of nowhere – they are beliefs and values that come from our cultural foundations.
If you are not going to change the perception of this, in order that women are no longer seen as being less than men and subject to their authority, absolutely nothing is going to change.
Mark Smith, Australia
Delayed response speaks volumes
After reading your news story, Obama condemns 'outrageous' murders of Muslim students (February 14), it should be remembered that it took petitions and calls by Muslim-American organisations for the FBI to investigate this as a hate crime, and now for Mr Obama to speak about it.
The sad part is that with some other groups, this kind of response would have been automatic.
Majdel Musa, Dubai
Quranic verses prompt caution
In relation to your story, Artist from Ras Al Khaimah paints prayer words on road signs to promote humility and responsibility (February 12), we have all come across such signs featuring Quranic verses or a word from a prayer written along mountainous roads, wadis and other dangerous areas.
It is true that these serve as a reminder to drivers that God is always watching us.
These words of prayer have a humbling effect on people.
Many of those who see them will become more conscious that God is watching. Else, drivers can get too engrossed with other things.
Fatima Suhail, Sharjah
Film must reflect the UAE’s values
With regard to the news article, Fifty Shades of Grey under review by UAE media council (February 12), I really enjoyed the books and will probably watch the movie at some point.
Each to their own taste is what I believe, when it comes to what people read and watch. Whatever the decision is in the UAE, I will respect it as I understand the culture here is different where I am originally from.
Kathryn Montgomery Soltero, Dubai
I have already watched this movie in Germany and it’s not as sexy as has been reported.
My expectation is that in the UAE, parts of the film that feature nudity will be cut out but it will still be essentially the same movie.
All this discussion about whether it should be banned is just hype and is not worth it.
Eileen Lamprecht, Abu Dhabi
Kanye’s nightclub ban ‘a great start’
In relation to your blog post (Kanye West dramatically banned from Dubai nightspot, February 11), this is a great start to change his unacceptable behaviour.
Jocelyn Stock, Canada
Kanye would never go to this club. They just want publicity.
Steven Jackson, Abu Dhabi
