A hearty donation
The precious donation made by the young boy Ahmad Hatem Al Haj to the Human Relief Fund was indeed very touching (‘Child donates lifetime of savings to Gaza,’ Gulf News, August 4). It showed his love for humanity, especially his concern for children and mothers of Gaza. His life’s savings of Dh7,300 was a gesture that is worthy of emulation by one and all. Ahmad said the war on Gaza was a war on children. His call to all children in the world to show solidarity was heartwarming.
From Mr Thomas Matthew Parackel
Kerala, India
Moral fabric
I don’t think that they should have been punished for doing the right thing and making their relationship legitimate by getting married (‘Couple shot dead in Pakistan honour killing,’ Gulf News, August 4). Would the parents have preferred forcing marriage onto the girl to someone with an agenda? She could end up living her entire life in misery.
I don’t think that’s the better option. I mean, honour lies in being happy and living a marital life the way God had intended marriage to be. Saying that customs come first and that marriage has to be hell on earth is not right.
Where is it written that you cannot marry someone of your choice? Where did this come from? The Islam I know insists we marry a person we like so the fabric of society and family remains intact and peaceful.
From Ms Scarlet Ebrahim
UAE
Facebook comment
A harsh reaction
I agree that the couple had disobeyed and committed a serious mistake, but I don’t think it was necessary to kill them. People should know that only God has the will to take souls. By killing the couple, what does this prove?
From Mr Ahmad Seddiqui
UAE
Facebook comment
A solution
There was a solution to this issue - their families shouldn’t have refused to consent to their marriage. I’m pretty sure their parents were aware what would happen next but pride made them blind. In Islam it says that if there is a solution, solve it. This particular solution would have been acceptable had their parents listened to their children.
From Mr Zahid Noor
Al Ain
Facebook comment
Appalling political biases
It is an appalling situation that continues to go unchecked and unchallenged (‘‘Shock and disbelief’ as another UN school hit,’ Gulf News, August 4). As the world sits and watches, innocent people are being slaughtered, courtesy of severely biased political heavyweights that turn a blind eye to change.
From Mr Gregory Gomes
Dubai
Website comment
Separate civilians from missiles
First and foremost humanitarian aid to the Palestinians should be coming from Hamas in the form of protection. Children and women should be separated from missile range areas and military strongholds.
From Ms Dinny Kurian
UAE
Facebook comment
Big decisions
Support by money is not enough. Governments should send relief teams with all medical and other necessities because this time Israel is blocking everything.
The Arab league has to make some big decisions. They are asking for a safe home, a safe country with freedom and support from all Islamic countries that have the power to fight.
From Ms Noor Endah Humaira
UAE
Nothing without the US
The most important aid that Gaza needs is to let other countries stop the US from providing ammunition to Israel.
From Ms Reham Rolisa
Davao City, Philippines
Facebook comment
Stand up for Palestine!
Both military aid and peace talks are equally required. Military support is inevitable because without it, Muslims can’t survive there. But for the sake of humanity, both sides have to think of ceasing the war. Also, every country in the world should stand up for Palestine.
From Mr Muhaimin Naaz
UAE
Facebook comment
Chance to change minds
Children are considered to be one of the best gifts from God (‘Flood of goodwill for abandoned baby,’ Gulf News, August 4). People will go to any lengths to bring a living, breathing child into this world and hear its laughter and its cries. And up to this point, I had been told by every adult that no matter if the child is ugly, or is suffering from a life threatening condition, parents will do anything for their children.
Well little did I know that there are parents out there who could give up their child just because they were born with a condition that could probably lead to the child’s death. This Australian couple that abandoned their baby is no exception.
Firstly, it is evident that the couple wanted to have their own child as they had paid money to a Thai woman to be a surrogate mother who gave birth to a pair of twins, a girl and a boy. Sadly the boy, Gammy was suffering from Down syndrome as well as a life threatening heart condition.
I feel that this couple should have paid for the child’s healthcare and looked after him as Gammy is their own child with his father’s DNA in him. Even though he was born from a surrogate mother, they could have started a campaign and had charity drives to earn money for their child’s healthcare.
But judging from what they did, I consider this Australian couple inhumane. They decided to take care of the girl child since she was fit and abandon the boy.
Now everyone knows that taking care of a child is not as easy as it sounds. Every parent should know that there will be risks involved when having a baby. There are chances of hereditary conditions or diseases that can be passed on. Sometimes newborns can be affected by a virus at an early age.
I sincerely feel that the Australian couple should forget their inhumane behaviour and willingly accept the child back and try to help their son. That will be a great example to show the world that anyone can change their attitude and behaviour, if they believe in themselves and feel that they are doing the right thing.
From Ms Niyati Raj
Dubai
Past still haunts him
Before Narendra Modi decided to help, he should have first considered all communities equally (‘Modi unites Jeet Bahadur with his family,’ Gulf News, August 4). He is still unpopular due to his alleged involvement in the Gujarat communal riots, but I think he is against having a particular popular religion or community. I think this is known to the whole world.
From Mr Abdullah
Abu Dhabi
Website comment
Good governance
Hats off to Modi. This shows his humbleness and love for humanity. He is one of the only politicians with such a modest and down to earth attitude. I am confidant of a bright future for India under his governance.
From Ms Rita
Dubai
Inconsistent justice
People never expected such exposure from Indian moviestar Aamir Khan in his poster debacle given his credentials in dealing with social issues. He is a well-known, mature Bollywood film actor, as well as an anchor of the famous reality show ‘Satyamev Jayate’.
Khan’s influence in society, especially among youth is overwhelming. As the petitioner pointed out, this nudity has the potential to mislead the youth - especially in the wake of a series of rape and murder cases across the country.
The most amazing factor is the silence and hypocrisy on the part of religious extremists who issued a fatwa against Sania Mirza for wearing short skirts [for tennis]. The fact is that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
From Mr Girish R. Edathitta
Dubai
So much strength
I am a Muslim and I strongly condemn the actions of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) (’Isil militants execute dozens from Yazidi minority,’ Gulf News, August 5). They came out of nowhere in a matter of months. I wonder, with their strength if there is a power somewhere that is supporting and financing them. Such a strong and lethal force can’t be formed without strong financial supports that have eyes on the oil wealth of this region.
From Mr Ishaq
Dubai
Website comment
The suffering
This is the beginning of the end for Isil. They are displacing thousands in Syria and Iraq. They will be answering to God. To the displaced people, your suffering while living on this planet is not forgotten by God.
From Mr Romeo
Toronto, Canada
Website comment
Costing humanity
I am a proud Muslim and these killings go against Islam. These militants who have kidnapped our religion and committed such horrible acts will be dealt with soon. Isil does not represent true Muslims. They are costing humanity, and especially Muslims, a great deal of pain and suffering.
From Mr Mohammad Al Bakar
Geneva, Switzerland
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