Thank you for your insight
This is a very pragmatic and outside the box approach articulated by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai (‘The intellectual battle against ISIS,’ Gulf News, September 29). No doubt the superlative success of his wise leadership is evident in every walk of life in Dubai. Other world leaders need to rise above their parochial interests and take a leaf out of Shaikh Mohammad’s book to usher in the elusive peace in all parts of the world. Whilst there is no greater strength and motivation than hope, despondency reigns when nations are driven by pecuniary and territorial ambitions. My gratitude to Shaikh Mohammad for sharing his wonderful thoughts and suggestions.
From Mr S. P. Singh
Bangalore, India
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“Not in my name”
I agree whole heatedly with everything Shaikh Mohammad has said about Daesh. They are using a peaceful religion to justify violence, oppression and murder. We as informed Muslims can never condone such senseless violence in our names. The Muslims of Britain have come up with the hashtag #notinmyname, which aptly sends a message to Daesh that they are not representing Islam in any manner.
From Mr Zubair
Dubai
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An inspiring read
This decision to act against Daesh is a historic moment. The clarion call from a great leader in the Arab world, Shaikh Mohammad, has been sounded. The Arabs’ call for action has been further inspired by these words to dominate and destroy the evil within Daesh.
This will no doubt have an immediate effect of galvanising youth to see greater sense and to muster their minds and hearts for the vital cause to safeguard their destiny. In the combined and coordinated assault by the Arab and the Western braves, in battle and in intellect, the best in humanity will survive and dominate for all times to come.
The most active joint participation displayed in the joint airstrikes will no doubt continue with the strife on the ground and in the air. The world will be rid of the growing Frankenstein. The Arab leadership will be more emphatically visible in their own region, with the active and cooperative support from the US and the West when necessary.
The rest of the world equally concerned will heave a sigh of great relief. A new world will hopefully emerge with peace, understanding, amity and, above all, a trust bordering faith, which is missing all over the world today.
From Mr Prem Chowdry
Dubai
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Amazing achievement
Excellent job Alia Mohammad Saeed Mohammad for her amazing achievement for the UAE in the women’s 10,000m at the Incheon Games (‘Alia bags gold for UAE at Incheon Games,’ Gulf News, September 28). It takes a progressive and forward thinking country that respects and accepts all. This represents truly the freedom and safety of the wonderful UAE.
From Mr John Paul Godoy Ganga
UAE
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Changing Dubai street names
The changing of Dubai street names has been long awaited (‘How Dubai streets got their new names,’ Gulf News, September 28). It is an excellent initiative, and it will be useful for newcomers, as well as for residents to find locations. Specifically after the new areas are developed and umpteen number of streets have been developed. Currently, it is easy to get lost. Therefore, both for tourists and residents, it will be extremely useful. We wish the authorities success in their implementation.
From Mr Bennet
Dubai
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Is peace possible?
I am sad to say it but I think that peace between India and Pakistan is impossible because people from both countries are always blaming each other for every bad thing that happens to them (‘India PM says serious about peace with Pakistan,’ Gulf News, September 28). India blames Pakistan, Pakistan blames India: this has been happening for so many years, and I fear it will continue forever.
From Mr Vikas Aswani
Dubai
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Not there for long
I think that this is all drama, with the conviction of the Tamil Nadu chief minister and that Jayalalithaa Jayaram will get bail soon (‘Indian court convicts Tamil nadu chief minister for graft: prosecutor,’ Gulf News, September 28). It is in my experience that the Indian system is too weak to punish politicians. No politician will allow there to be tougher laws. Look at Andimuthu Raja, Bookanakere Siddalingappa Yeddyurappa, Lalu Prasad Yadav and Suresh Kalmadi. Has any one of them been in jail for long? I think that this is just to fool the public and to avoid real justice.
From Mr Ronald
Dubai
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Justice prevails
The Bangalore court verdict on Jayalalitha’s disproportionate wealth accumulation case was an expected one. It was a long overdue verdict, but it proved that justice prevails.
This verdict is a shock to Jayalalitha and a blow to the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party. It will diminish AIADMK’s image and performance.
It is a reminder to the politicians all over the nation that whoever is sitting at the helm of affairs and thinking that they are untouchable by the hands of law for whatever atrocity they do, is inaccurate.
Justice is delivered and well deserved for corrupt politicians. Jayalalitha tried her best to dilly dally the case and shunt the case from court to court and place to place, but the truth triumphed over her shenanigans.
The verdict will have a huge impact on Tamil Nadu politics: it makes a significant change on national politics. It will stir the politics of Tamil Nadu and it will put a stop to Jayalalitha’s dominance.
Nevertheless, the main opposition, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) will not benefit on AIADMK’s erosion, but it will give a chance for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress to penetrate smoothly in this southern state. This gives them an ‘in’.
From Ms S. Jayakumar
UAE
Intentionally dramatic
There are many political leaders who have been charged but never put behind bars for long. In this case I think that the same will happen. Unfortunately, not everyone is equal in the eyes of the law in India. This is just hyped up and politically motivated drama.
From Mr Shah Baz
Dubai
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Backward thinking
How can people say that the men who were married to Safiyo Ahmad Jumale should be punished, too (‘Somalia’s Al Shabab stones woman to death for polyandry,’ Gulf News, September 28)? She was stoned to death for being married to multiple people. Thinking that the men should also be punished is no different to the verdict of the Al Shabab persecutors.
Firstly, the act is barbaric and regressive in thinking in every way. The accused should be given community service and never allowed to marry again. As for the men, just let them be. Sadly, this is just another example of extremism, regardless of the religion or faith.
From Mr Andrew
Dubai
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Medieval thinking
As the world advances in science, medicine and technology, this part of the world is gripped with an ideology that wants to bring us back to the medieval times. This is not good for the reputation of Islam or for the region. I fear it makes us the laughing stock of the world.
From Mr Ari
Dubai
Men not accountable
This news is shocking and fearful. I am not an Islamic scholar, but I would like to know about the men who have committed to these marriages without confirming the status of the woman. Is it right to let these men go unaccounted for?
I wonder how a woman can marry four different men. Is there no system of registering the marriages for both women and men?
From Mr Zuheir Ahmad
Abu Dhabi
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Strengthening democracy
Pakistan’s political future is not so bleak if nascent democracy continues (‘Politics on containers,’ Gulf News, September 24). Imran Khan and Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri are the two most vocal people, but I don’t think that they have no belief in institutions like parliament, judiciary and media. Political agitation is part of democracy, but agitation for an unconstitutional cause will harm the country.
Thank God that 90 per cent of political parties within the parliament are in favour of respecting the democratic process and are standing in favour of the Prime Minister. There is no future in autocratic ruling or martial law in Pakistan because Pakistan’s civil society is more vibrant.
In the last military period, civil society started to become agitated, and although it was much too late, that agitation proved fruitful and achieved results very quickly. The judiciary has been restored and for the first time, a government has completed its tenure and handed over power smoothly to a newly elected government.
I think now it’s almost impossible for a military takeover because of parliamentary democracy and the strength of Pakistan’s political parties.
From Mr Aijaz Ali Khuwaja
Karachi, Pakistan
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