Not a local issue
The missile attack on the aircraft MH17 is a great challenge to passenger traffic in general and the aviation industry in particular (‘Dutch experts inspect MH17 bodies as Russia hits back,’ Gulf News, July 22). The killing of innocent people will not serve any purpose. The issue highlights the dangers of weapons of mass destruction falling into the hands of criminals and terrorists. One of the major flying zones in Europe, now converted into a warzone, resulted in the diversion of flights to longer routes, which will proportionally increase travel time.
Moreover, the missile hit the future prospects of Malaysian Airlines hard. Where are we heading to?
Now the world realises the fact that unrest in Ukraine is not at all a local issue. These aggressions and unrest can be tackled only by an affective United Nations (UN). If only it could ever be possible to restructure the UN. One country, one vote and no veto power – that’s what we need.
From Mr Girish R. Edathitta
Dubai
War games
President Obama seems to have visions and insights normal people don’t have. Even before any inquiry into the disastrous fate of the Malaysian airline he pretends to know that the Ukrainian rebels have downed the airliner despite the fact that they hardly have the technical means and knowledge at their hands to hit a plane at a height of 10 kilometers – that was the height at which it was flying at the time when the disaster hit. Indirectly, Obama is even implicating Russia and President Putin despite the fact that Russia has time and again insisted that it is not interested in waging war in Ukraine and has no intention to annex Eastern Ukraine.
It is a shame how the whole Western world is joining in the blame game against Russia, very much the same way they did during the decades of Cold War. Some allegations are that Russia has somehow trained the Ukrainian rebels to use Russian weapons to attack the plane in the sky. What a story!
And let’s face it - it is a US war game. Normally, we would expose this behaviour as a failed American foreign policy but even this is not likely to hit the truth. The truth seems to be even worse; the US is intentionally messing up world affairs on the lines of the millennium agenda, reviving the Cold War with Russia at a time when the Middle East is burning due to American machinations. Russia should be blamed without any trace of a proof. It is the US itself that is behaving like a faltering empire trying to drag the rest of the world into the abyss they are heading for.
From Mr Ali Ashraf Khan
Karachi, Pakistan
Go Ishant!
A stupendous bowling effort by the lanky Ishant Sharma provided India with one of the most memorable cricketing victories ever (‘Hero Ishant Sharma credits Mahendra Singh Dhoni for India triumph,’ Gulf News, July 22). At the same time, they cemented the Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s name in the Indian cricket hall of fame.
England, once again undone by some hostile pace by Sharma, ended up with a tenth consecutive defeat. A great team effort, and together with South Africa’s triumph in neighboring Sri Lanka, it bodes well for test cricket after the flurry of one-dayers and IPL matches, that almost took the glean off the longer format!
From Mr A. R. Modak
Johannesburg, South Africa
Where is the unity?
Delhi being the capital of such a multicultural country like India, and this is what is happening (‘Manipuri man beaten to death in Delhi, India,’ Gulf News, July 22). There is not one day where I haven’t come across an article about the rape or harassment of an innocent victim. Who is going to stop these criminals from committing such atrocious offenses? The government is just fit for recording and totaling the number of crimes taking place.
I think it’s high time measures need to be taken. The moment a rape takes place, tremendous public protests are staged across the country and appeals are made to punish the criminals and protect public safety. But everything gets forgotten in a few months’ time and people get busy in their own lives. Is this what unity is all about?
From Ms Sneha Miranda
Dubai
Respect is necessary
Recently, we were at a restaurant for iftar. There were many foreign guests there as well who were attending this iftar buffet. However, one of the attendees caught everyone’s attention for her lack of respect and patience. We were sat at a table next to a non-Muslim lady who was accompanied by a Muslim man.
As a tradition, each table was served with a few dates, some savory snacks and drinks to begin with. But to our astonishment, the woman started eating and drinking before the call for prayer at sunset.
This is not the question of the believers feeling hungry or thirsty to see someone eating and drinking before their eyes, but more to do with respect and courtesy. It would not have mattered to her had she waited for another five minutes before digging into her plate.
My request to such people, especially those attending iftar parties, is that they should be sensitive towards others and should know how to behave in public gatherings. These are basic etiquettes that are expected from each one of us.
From Ms Fatima Suhail
Sharjah
Respecting customs
I am European expatriate and I respect UAE law, culture and religious views (‘Dubai Municipality clears dress code confusion,’ Gulf News, July 22). I like the UAE culture as it is still not destroyed by Western influence. I think everyone should respect the culture of the country that they are living in or visiting. Ethics vary in different countries and if it’s acceptable in your country, it doesn’t mean it is acceptable in all other countries. Every country has different laws and cultures, which should be respected. It doesn’t matter where you are from. For example, if you live in Europe or you’re visiting the UK, and you have to comply that you can’t drive on the right side of the road. Just because it’s different in your country, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t respect it.
From Mr Arun
Dubai
Website comment
Behave according to society
In my opinion, there are a lot of women that think wearing skimpy clothing is a mark of their freedom. It really worries me that some even encourage their children to do so, too. This is often supported by the men in their household, who consider it as fashionable. I think it is shameless. You can do whatever in the privacy of your own home, but when you come out into public, you should behave as is required by the society. If you think otherwise, then why don’t you wear tank tops and micro-mini skirts for a funeral or for a family wedding? Doesn’t it sound hypocritical when it’s put that way?
From Ms J.B.
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Bad experience
My wife was refused entry into a medical centre for the same reason. She wore shorts. We are not conservative or liberal in our dress codes, and from my humble opinion it was in no way even close to being morally unethical to wear such shorts.
To add to it, we were told that regularly we would be allowed, but now because of Ramadan, she is not allowed in. We were with our two-year-old son when we went for the medical test, and were subjected to being sent away in the summer heat, and had no other choice but to buy a towel from a supermarket and wear it as a skirt.
From Mr Nicholas
Dubai
Website comment
Good thinking
Well done for turning away those wearing shorts. Some basic dress decorum must always be maintained. Being tolerant and progressive does not mean encouraging depravity and decadence in any form or manner.
From Mr Sultan
Dubai
Website comment
Respecting norms
A similar story happened with me exactly in Abu Dhabi at a suhoor tent. I had fairly long shorts on, covering the knees, but I was still refused entry “according to Abu Dhabi tourism board regulations”. They gave me a pair of trousers from their staff inventory and I changed into them and went in after 45 minutes of arguing with their management. It was a pretty bad experience. I acknowledge the need to stick to respectful norms, but I didn’t understand how the way I was dressed violated them.
From Ms Mamoun
Dubai
Website comment
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