Oman's traditional architecture is worth preserving

How do you expect youths to live with traditions, respect them and keep them if you make most of them disappear? (Oman's historic homes under threat, January 10). How do you expect them to pass on to the next generation the history of your people if you erase its trails? The Sultanate is investing a lot of money in infrastructure works to develop the country, and this is good. They also invest to provide residents with improved living conditions by important building programmes. These bring advantages and disadvantages at the same time.

But when you come from outside the country, you see the improvements as positive changes. Change is always difficult to handle, especially if it impacts your family history. Sometimes, there is no choice - eg, the new motorway will run through your garden or your living area. But on other occasions, especially where the government provides new accommodations, people are simply moved from one area to another where it is easier for the government to provide the necessary facilities.

The fact is, there are exceptional sites and buildings in Oman from north to south. Solid rock construction is worth mentioning as there are not so many examples across the Arabic peninsula. If the ministry of national heritage and culture is not able to start a preservation programme or lacks funds, I am sure there is an opportunity to organise fund-raising from generous donors worldwide who would be proud to participate in the preservation of this heritage. Tristan de Ferluc, Abu Dhabi

It appears that the organisers of the Dubai Tennis Championship do not learn (Sell-out sidelines tennis fans, January 11). Arriving at 8am we eventually bought our tickets four hours later. Why can't the organisers have more desks open on the first day? When one gets to the front, one realises why it takes so long to buy a ticket. The process of taking a buyer's order, providing the tickets, taking the money, and cross-checking the tickets with the money took on average five minutes per person, by my calculation. With four counters, that meant they could handle around 50 people an hour. Most people were buying huge numbers of tickets. I recall one person last year buying four for every day of the tournament. Sometimes there are groups of people where everyone is ordering their own tickets. Last year I complained to a supervisor and was told they would advise management. Mike Smith, Dubai

Neglect of Sudan by its Arab neighbours is telling: while many Arab sovereign funds are busy investing in the West in marquee projects and in Asia for infrastructure development, the biggest Arab nation by area has been ignored for decades, as stated by Sultan Al Qassemi in Arab world will feel the pain of division in forsaken Sudan (January 10). From the Darfur massacres to plain old development issues, it's the same story of internecine politics. Besides the UAE, Sudan does have resource-rich neighbours, but neither they nor Sudan's own government has paid much attention to nation building. As some move on with development despite challenges, others squander opportunities. Athar Mian, London

In regards to Britons charged in Emirates bomb scare (January 10), I hope they are found guilty and punished. Maybe their punishment should be to talk to people who've lost family members in plane crashes and bombings and to watch footage of the same. Chris M, Abu Dhabi

I am just wondering why Emirates Airline allows drunk passengers to get on the plane. Drunk people can cause trouble in any case and it is dangerous - especially in an aircraft. Angela Lancsak, London

Congratulations to the Al Manzil! (Four-star Al Manzil tops Dubai hotel rankings, January 11). I'm sure it is a fine hotel and with so much praise it has likely earned its top place. However, perhaps this means that the people who stay at the Burj Al Arab and Grosvenor have better things to do than give their opinion on TripAdvisor Donald Glass, Abu Dhabi

It's nice hear that many commuters are using buses rather than taxis. Let's increase the information available to the public. Ullas Vazhappilly, Abu Dhabi