No one is reacting
The recent brutal killing of a Palestinian teenager has become a big test of conscience for the modern world (‘Palestinian teen ‘was burnt alive’’, Gulf News, July 6). A 15-year-old boy, Mohammad Abu Khudair, was abducted when he was going to the mosque one early morning and according to initial autopsy reports, he was forced to drink gasoline and was burnt alive. It was only through his DNA samples that they were able to identify his body. Although no group claimed responsibility for his abduction and killing, most people believe that it was done out of ‘revenge’ for the killing of three Israelis a few days ago. This case of brutality does not end here. A video is circulating on social media in which Israeli forces abducted and brutally tortured another young boy after the funeral of Abu Khudair. The boy, who has American citizenship, has now been admitted to a hospital with a broken nose and swollen face. Despite his serious condition, he received no medical treatment for six hours. These types of brutalities and torture are not new for Palestinian people. Use of phosphorous bombs, guided missiles and F16 fighter jets against the civilian population has become a daily routine in Gaza and other parts of the territory. Unfortunately, the brutal killing of Abu Khudair could not get the attention of the world’s so-called champions of human rights. The killing and abduction of Palestinian people is still continuing. Despite large protest rallies, the killers of the young Palestinian boy are still at large. Due to double standards of the United Nations (UN) and other big powers, things are going from bad to worse and this is the main reason that all road maps presented by the US and its allies could not bring peace to the region.
From Mr Khawaja Omar Farooq
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Shameful behaviour
Nobody deserves to be killed in such brutal and barbaric manner (‘Israeli Facebook page calls for ‘revenge’,’ Gulf News, July 4). The Israeli forces have long been killing tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians. They have been allowed to walk free, while the death of three of their youngsters has prompted them to seek revenge from these poor people who neither have shelter nor food.
These people are already enduring so many hardships at the hands of the Israelis and to make it worse are even murdered mercilessly. The entire world is partly responsible for the current situation in Palestine. We have all failed to support the country and in raising a voice against the injustice to its citizens. It is a shame that we have chosen to remain mute spectators to the violence against Muslims.
Such pages that are created to fuel hatred and animosity amongst mankind should be deleted and banned. The Israelis posting in favour of the killing of the teenage boys should in fact be ashamed of their behaviour.
From Ms Fatima Suhail
UAE
Facebook comment
Peace campaign
I think we should do something positive about it. How about a campaign for peace or a support campaign for the Palestinians?
From Mr Safa Ali Tayeb
Abu Dhabi
Facebook comment
Need a solution
I really wish both sides could finally find a solution. This fight is absolutely horrible and in the end, the normal and innocent people suffer because of the stupidity and carelessness of both governments.
From Mr Bisser Dimitrov
Dubai
Facebook comment
Peace pages
There are also thousands of Israeli Facebook pages calling for peace and denouncing the calls for revenge. It is too bad we don’t see any of that.
From Mr Mike Gelbman
UAE
Facebook comment
Inform passengers
I was surprised to read that you need a license to drink on all flights (‘In-flight drinking could land you in jail,’ Gulf News, July 3). First of all, the airline offices or any travel agent should inform all tourists and expatriates of the law on alcohol consumed on the flights and what the consequences may be.
From Mr Ed
Sri Lanka
Website comment
Adjustments needed
This law needs to be adjusted. Why allow people to drink as much as they want in some places to later penalise them? I don’t think tourists should be fined because they didn’t have an alcohol licence. Only residents are allowed to get one. Tourists need to be warned that it is simply not allowed for them to drink.
From Mr Riri
Ras al Khaimah
Website comment
No alcohol on flights
I don’t understand why airlines serve alcohol in the first place? I think alcohol should not be served on any flight.
From Ms Sujatha Raja
Sharjah
Website comment
Mutual responsibility
I agree that disorderly behaviour and being drunk in public is not acceptable anywhere. However, I think it is not right to think that any passenger on a flight or a visitor to a hotel or restaurant who has a drink but is not drunk can get into trouble. If a license is required, then it is the vendor’s responsibility to check if the person drinking holds a license.
From Mr Dan
London, UK
Website comment
More initiatives
The fridge of goodness really touched a chord (‘New Dubai residents set up fridges to help the needy,’ Gulf News, July 3). The desire and intention to help others around us in every possible way is a heart filled with goodness. It is an amazing initiative by the two expatriates and I pray many more will join hands. It is so touching to read that many people are filling up the fridge and many who cannot afford are benefiting from the same. There was a report on leftover food being thrown into the waste bins after closing hours at a food court. If the food could be kept in fridges like this, so many people would be benefited. Wasting food is such a sin when there are people who sleep hungry or are unable to afford certain foods. I really hope and pray an attempt is made to initiate such a step.
From Ms Naina Nair
Bangalore, India
Website comment
Faith in humanity
Tears rolled down my cheeks after reading this article. May God bless these great people. My faith in humanity has been restored!
From Ms Prasanth
Dubai
Website comment
Dangers of selfies
I think that taking selfies has made us all obsessed with ourselves (‘Student falls to death while taking ‘selfie’, Gulf News, July 5). I guess we should all start helping each other to take pictures instead of going along with this trend. May her soul rest in peace. Next time, we should remember to be careful with selfies and keep away from dangerous obstacles.
From Ms Asma Malek
UAE
Facebook comment
Non-cooperation is over
The call of revolutionary Mohammad Tahir Ul Qadri for government servants to leave their jobs shows that the gentleman is out of touch with Pakistan’s realties. It seems we are in a time when people are paying handsome bribes to enter the government sector because there they have good options for extra income and there aren’t as many job opportunities outside the government. With no or low education, this call will hardly have any impact.
Qadri must have read about this in a history book that when in 1921, the Indian National Congress under the leadership of Gandhi called to boycott the British government and administration and resign from posts. At that time and with those people dedicated to throw the British out of India, it was a new and powerful instrument in the hands of the nationalists. But those days are long gone and today in Pakistan and especially in the government service sector, all people want is to make extra money or those honest ones who do not make extra money can’t afford to leave the job they’re in.
The promises made by Qadri’s revolution, thus seems out of sight. There appears to be a race for showing street power. And this is coming from a claimant religious scholar who seems to be ignorant of the sanctity and spirit of the holy month of Ramadan.
Given that it is a task assigned to him by his mentors; this will play into the hands of militants.
From Mr Ali Ashraf Khan
UAE
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