I could not think of a more suitable person than Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed to undertake the task of promoting the acceptance of others' beliefs (UAE and Vatican unite on tolerance, security and peaceful coexistence, September 16).
I think Sheikh Mohammed has set the stage for other Arab leaders to follow. The key to bringing stability to the Middle East is tolerance and coexistence. It’s this leadership that makes the UAE a winner.
Randall Mohammed, Dubai
I applaud any attempts to make the world a better place. If more people would call for tolerance, the world would be a better place. May God bless and protect us all.
Hawaa Almansouri, Abu Dhabi
Mutual respect is desirable, but we must also avoid the temptation to be indifferent. Tolerance must not be confused with indifference.
Robert J M Barrett, Abu Dhabi
Animal abusers ought not be taken lightly
It's sad and unfortunate that the boy who was filmed throwing a cat against a wall has been released without charge by Ajman Police (Cat-throwing teenager released without charge by Ajman Police, September 16).
People who abuse animals are known to be more prone to serious crime as they grow older, and we must set the record straight that animal cruelty and abuse is unacceptable in both Islam and our social and legal construct. Releasing this boy, even though he is a “minor”, sends the wrong message.
Anyone who commits cruelty towards animals must be held under legal custody and psychologically evaluated, and perhaps treated. That’s because such acts are strong indicators for deeper and more concerning issues. If the case for animal well-being isn’t strong, the case for public threat is.
Ahmed Alanzi, Dubai
This will only set a terrible example for the youth. This will encourage them to do such things as they will know that they can get away with brutality by claiming mental problems.
We ought to be concerned about the future of these people. There is evidence that such people can pose a threat to humans.
Saif Omar Al Suwaidi, Sharjah
When I was a small child, my parents taught me that we have to be compassionate towards animals. They would explain to me how they have the same right to live on this planet as humans and how they can be our friends and love us unconditionally. They would not just lecture me, but show me how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly and make me aware how we sometimes depend on these animals. For example, we get milk from cows, so we have to respect them and love them.
I think it largely depends on how parents bring up their children and whether they teach them compassion and love. Although such feelings usually come naturally as children grow up, I believe such education goes a long way in shaping the character of a child.
Deep Saranya M, Abu Dhabi
Violence against animals has become a trend here (Student who stole dogs from Dubai villa and set their cage ablaze is jailed, September 16).
This should be addressed and children should be taught to be compassionate towards animals. Why is this happening here with such frequency?
Nora Al Suwaidi, Abu Dhabi
Did you have to mention the price of the dogs? It’s good enough to be a dog, expensive or not, and deliberately harming animals under any circumstances should be treated as a crime.
Sanchita Guha, Dubai
Strict rules can fix lorry problem
Faulty and dangerous vehicles abound our roads (More than half of lorries inspected in Dubai during six-month period had faults, September 17).
What surprised me was that there was no mention in the article about the heavy emissions from most of these vehicles. They pollute our air, contributing significantly to respiratory problems in the region.
Until these violators are heavily penalised and businesses lose their ability to put these menaces on our roads, inspections will have very little mitigating effect.
Elan Faabri, Dubai