This is news I had been waiting years for (Abu Dhabi Municipality aims for 130 parks in UAE capital by 2017, March 5). Abu Dhabi was such a lovely city even five years ago. But now it's increasingly becoming crowded and turning into a concrete jungle.
Parks will bring much respite to citizens and residents of this emirate. There are many areas where children remain indoors because they have no place to play, while adults are starved of open spaces where they can relax and work out.
I thank Abu Dhabi Municipality from the bottom of my heart for this initiative. I am sure with so many parks Abu Dhabi will draw envy from many places. The biggest benefit of having many parks will be reflected in the improvement of health of its people.
Hassan Javed, Abu Dhabi
Indian activist is an inspiration
It was heartening to read the news report India's anti corruption letter writer signs off (March 5). Shubhas Agarwal who used the Right to Information Act to implicate hundreds of people in corruption cases is a real hero. I would like to call him a one-man army who braved his life to serve his country and the people.
If many people today think twice before indulging in graft, it’s because of individuals like Mr Agarwal. I salute him.
K Ragavan, India
Don’t misinterpret religious terms
I was surprised to read the opinion article A jihadist blueprint for hearts and minds is gaining traction (March 5).
The author said: “The teachings of Abu Musab could spark the rise of a more formidable generation of jihadists...” Does that mean the current generation is formidable? Islam is a peaceful religion as all religions should be and should have been. I would like to know what the author means by “jihad”.
Here is a bit of history and background that will clarify the right meaning.
Jihad can be variously translated as “struggle”, “effort”, “to strive”, “to exert”, and “to fight”, depending on the context. In the West, the word is generally misinterpreted as “holy war,” with only military meanings. The Quran does call for jihad as a military struggle on behalf of Islam, but refers to jihad as an internal, individual, spiritual struggle towards self-improvement, moral and intellectual efforts. It is said that the Prophet Mohammed considered the armed-struggle version of holy war the “lesser jihad”, and the spiritual jihad as the “great jihad”.
Journalism should inform but also should “fight” with words against common partialities spread wrongly, which fuel ignorance and hatred. Including the idea of “jihad” as one of the five pillars of Islam is one common misunderstanding. Jihad is not among the five pillars of Islam. Those five are the profession of faith, prayer five times a day, fasting during Ramadan, alms for the poor and performance of the Haj, or pilgrimage to Mecca.
Vincent Aymard, Abu Dhabi
Judge’s stance deserves praise
I commend the judge for his wise observation and not falling for the emotions of the mother or of her son whose wife is pregnant (Men ripped off woman's clothes in bathroom, Abu Dhabi court hears, March 4). How could he commit such a despicable act, and then ask to be let off the hook "just because"? I guess he was not thinking about his pregnant wife then. Only when it can be convenient for him does he think about her.
Name withheld by request
‘New’ trend is not so new
I am responding to the article The new trend of dining with strangers in the UAE, (March 5). There are a lot of lonely people in Dubai, single men and women. This is a great way to meet people.
LuLu Danish, Dubai
It has been going on for a long time and I have seen this, in one form or another, since 1995. There is nothing new in it.
Nicola Jane Ablett, Abu Dhabi
Road names are confusing
Thank you for the article, Where the streets have new names, but lack numbers (March 4). I feel the same way every time I exit Shakhbut Street only to be confronted with an intersecting Shakhbut Street instead of Al Saada/19/Immigration Road.
Why make an already confusing system (numbers and nicknames that don’t match the street names) even more confusing?
Common sense says to leave the numbers on the main thoroughfares and add the nicknames. Kudos, however, for giving the side streets proper names.
EM Brewer, Dubai
