I am writing with regard to the article “What makes Dubai unique?” (May 13) by Dr. Khaled Batarfi. It is a very interesting article and I was happy and saddened at the same time after reading it. I was happy because Dubai has been able to realize and accomplish what others are still dreaming about. However, I was saddened because so many cities have had the same opportunity but have destroyed themselves instead. This is what happened to Aden, Cairo and Beirut before. And now we see Tripoli, Damascus and Karachi being destroyed by their own people. I wonder when Muslims will learn to build rather than destroy? Faiz Al-Najdi, Online response