Isolating Islam
Things are getting out of control and I think the notable fact is that governments and administrations from where these types of offensive publications are coming out are not condemning the caricature or its publications (‘Saudi scholars condemn cartoon publication,’ Gulf News, January 17). It may be in the name of freedom of expression, but it will only aggravate the situation. It is unfortunate that with each terror strike, the isolation of Islam is becoming more acute.
From Mr Girish R. Edathitta
Dubai
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Giving excuse for extremists
This type of attitude will ultimately serve the fanatics and extremists who are looking for excuses to commit their acts of terror and to kill innocent people. The world has a duty to build mutual trust and a positive coexistence. This cannot happen through insulting religious icons.
From Mr Jaffar
Sharjah
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The root cause
If the people who attacked Charlie Hebdo are to be blamed for what they did, then I think in equal measure those who printed the newest cartoon of the Prophet (PBUH) and those who queued up to buy millions of those copies are also accountable. Freedom of expression can never be absolute. No one has the right to insult each other, let alone a Prophet revered by billions Muslims. Why are we wasting our energy negatively when there are lots of positives that await us?
Over the past twenty five years, the Middle East has been used and abused by Western powers with an aim to dominate this blessed region and it has resulted in hapless millions being brought thrown on the streets with no visible future. This is the root cause of the problem that needs attention.
From Mr Dawood Hajwani
Dubai
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Respecting our messengers
The love we as Muslims hold for the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) is our faith. Neither nation nor any community is allowed to say any single word against Him. This is also the faith of all Muslims to respect all messengers of God. Charlie Hebdo or any one has no right to make caricatures of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
From Mr Suhail Baig
Dubai
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My freedom of speech
Why didn’t all the world leaders, who were present in the Paris march, come together again to stop Charlie Hebdo from publishing the cartoons, when they clearly know they are offensive to Muslims? It is wrong to kill people like that, I agree, and it will always be. But, what Charlie Hebdo published is wrong too. Every country should condemn this act and do something to stop this! People are doing so at an individual level, but it is high time world leaders do something about it too. And saying so is my freedom of speech.
From Ms Samina Akhtar
Sharjah
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Awareness
It’s not always about how a massacre is being reported, but what I feel is that none of the readers of a newspaper are aware of what goes on behind the scenes in the offices. Whether it is fair or unfair, every incident and massacre carries its own importance and as humans we all should be aware of what harm has been done. I don’t think the importance of humans is to be chosen. We all belong to the same Earth and I do not at all feel that people are being given less importance or equality.
From Mr Pavneet Kaur
UAE
No problem with manners
There is a very fine line between chivalry and being courteous and that does not hamper progressing gender equality (‘Facebook debate: Chivalry vs gender equality’, Gulf News, January 18). As a woman, I have given up my seat for older men and women, women with children or anyone needing help in a situation. I have also held doors open after passing through for the next person, irrespective of gender. I do not wait to be seated as I am capable of doing so on my own, thus no pulling chairs for me by anyone. However, if a gentleman does so, I graciously accept.
Having said that how is this affecting progression of gender equality? It is the thought process of individuals on how anyone wants to be treated. Gender inequality comes about when job classifieds have ‘only men’ required to fill a position, which could be done by a woman! On a lighter note, these days most doors are heavy to push open - I wouldn’t mind that little chivalry from a person physically stronger than me to do it!
From Ms Aazmin Kantawala
UAE
Keep it separate
Gender equality and good manners are two different things. Just because one has good manners does not mean they are not equal with the other gender. It does not mean you should treat people from the opposite sex differently and impolitely. Forget gender equality, opening doors and giving seats even to anyone is a decent gesture and speaks about one’s upbringing. I think we should keep these two things separate and not try to complicate them with gender equality.
From Mr Ghanshyam Vyas
UAE
Soulful and sublime
The show was a glorious success and Arijit Singh is an absolute charmer on stage with his boyish simplicity and natural relaxed demeanour (‘Dubai sways to Arijit Singh’s tunes,’ Gulf News, January 17). I love his next door neighbour personality that made his songs so close to our heart. Also his smile is so omnipresent and down-to-earth that it’s difficult to dislike him. His songs are very soulful and he sublimely blends the emotions at the right moment and it touches the strings of my heart. It was an entirely satisfying programme, which still brings warmth to my heart.
From Mr Prithvijit Debnath
Dubai
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A social priority
I am short of words to express my gratitude to the team at Gulf News for covering this heart breaking fact that ten farmers committed suicide (‘Ten farmers in Vidarbha committed suicide in the past 48 hours,’ Gulf News, January 17). It is indeed very sad that the soil is losing the battle of survival. I hope the concerned authorities give the utmost priority to this issue in order to give the necessary financial and moral assistance to these farmers.
From Mr Sandeep Vinerkar
Thane, India
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Not for peace
This man, Benjamin Netanyahu, is one of the biggest cheaters in the world (‘Israeli premier’s opportunism was on show in Paris’, Gulf News, January 15). So please tell me what is our chance of any peace? The only thing that would have been achieved is a bunch of more lies from Netanyahu. For years and years the Palestinians are given hope whilst Israel is grabbing land and trying to avoid any fast track solution.
From Mr Markus Setz
Dubai
Facebook comment
Unbalanced
Just because this pilot punched a colleague or an engineer doesn’t make it better than punching a passenger (‘Air India pilot punches engineer on the nose,’ Gulf News, January 18). I think if a pilot can lose his self-control by punching anyone, he is not fit to fly – ever. He is psychologically unbalanced.
From Mr David Woodward
Dubai
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Work together
Well it’s a good thing that India is not growing as a country because of such people. They think everything can be achieved by a strike. Grow up people, instead we need to work together to make India a more developed country.
From Mr Sajida Begum
Dubai
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Odour or our habits?
Mosquitos have been a very pesky problem in many households and people try to get rid of this pathogen filled insect yet fail in vain (‘If mosquitos find you irrestible, it could be down to your body odour,’ Gulf News, January 17). We can blame our odour and our body temperature for their persistence, however people fail to see measures against the breeding of mosquitos as a task encompassing thoughts from a community perspective. Mosquitos usually breed in dirty corners where there is stagnant water and we fail to realise the reason for this is our very own habits. Many of us litter without a concerning second thought.
Many people pollute their surroundings without any awareness of its repercussions. These are then becoming home to the devastatingly deadly mosquitos, which start breeding. Within a short span of time the entire place will be filled with swarms of mosquitos. Keeping the community clean not only promotes safety against carriers of pathogens such as the mosquitos, but also instils within any person a sense of cleanliness and personal hygiene. We can assert the importance of personal hygiene by taking notice that the mosquito, which usually breeds in dirty habitats comes close to us on the basis of our cleanliness. In this way we can say that mosquitos can be an indicator of the extent community cleanliness in any given area. We should be able to perceive this as an issue not only concerning our personal hygiene, but as an issue that should concern community effort in maintaining our surroundings. We should all value the importance of a clean and green environment and do our best to contribute to the same.
From Ms Sruthi Rao
UAE
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