I refer to the article Muslim group disapproves of polygamy trend in the UK (October 1), which says that second and any subsequent wives and their children could be left destitute and without recourse to the courts should these marriages break down because polygamy is illegal in the UK.
I don't understand why a woman would knowingly put herself into such a potentially dangerous situation, without guarantee of some security for herself and children that may be the result of this illegal marriage.
Ahmet Kianin, Dubai
Partners with no strings attached
As long as the door of trade is kept open to all investors (Cooler relations with China under newly elected Zambian president, October 2), the Chinese will always have their competitive advantages. I don't see it risking losing out to Western companies.
Who else can provide African countries abundant loans that African countries are so hungry to get? Certainly not the US, European or Japanese companies. Who will not say a word about your domestic politics? The Chinese.
The urgent thing for African countries now is to set up a clear and transparent investment environment and force every foreign investor to comply with the local laws and regulations.
The Chinese are just businessmen, they will obey the laws if the local government show its determination of enforcement of law and respect of international standards.
Howard Xue, US
US citizenship is not protection
The article Air strike kills Al Awlaki in Yemen (October 1) deserves more reaction from readers.
Awlaki's violent behaviour in and of itself is not different from civil rights violence of the 1960s, or from what is still America's most costly war or the civil war of the 1860s.
What makes Awlaki's behavior unique and closer to anarchist labour violence a century ago is its apparently indiscriminate choice of targets.
There are all sorts of things wrong with US foreign policy, but the tactics used against Al Qaeda are not going to bring an end to the group and only succeed in generating collateral damage in the US's ham-handed responses to it.
As far as I'm concerned, this damage has been minimal with respect to the reported attacks on Osama bin Laden and Awlaki.
Civil rights critics are ill-informed if they think that US citizenship is a "get out of jail free" card. Such people are not living in the real world.
Thomas Bleser, US
Prayers for Iraqis to live in peace
It was sad and painful to read about the bomb blasts at a funeral near the Iraqi city of Hilla (Sectarian strike on Iraqi holy Shiite city of Karbala kills 10, September 26).
Ever since the invasion by US-led alliance, Iraqi's problems are only aggravating day by day.
Apart from the damage made to their country, Iraqis' suffering from suicide bombers is unbearable.
I pray for the victims, and that Iraqis will soon live a peaceful life.
K Ragavan, India
Great initiative but more is needed
Good on Aldar Properties for opening two more schools this year (Aldar takes some squeeze out of classrooms, October 2).
But we're still way short of enough schools to force competitive tuition to ease the burden on parents.
Donald Glass, Abu Dhabi
Advertisers must not be offensive
I take serious issue with some advertisements announced over the radio channels that depict South Asians living in the UAE as lower class residents. In one ad, an Indian driver takes some seemingly Westerners to a fancy venue. There have been similar advertisements.
I'm pretty disappointed that residents with South Asian origins are obviously classified as being only of the labour class. That isn't true. There are South Asians in all classes. I have observed this disappointing stereotyping about the South Asian race in general.
Whoever wants to show that their hotel is classy, there are other ways. Shine Shahzad, Pakistan
Mail must improve to avoid risks
I own a home in the Arabian Ranches and I subscribed for a local PO Box in January 2010. But less than two years after spending the money it is being exchanged with a higher priced one. I have not had any delivery since before Ramadan, with the possibility of having unpaid bills or cheques that I'm not aware of.
EF, Dubai
