Change is due
This is a sign of a weak leader (‘Fear, sectarianism behind Iraq army collapse’, Gulf News, June 14). Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki should resign, in my opinion. I think the only thing he is doing is setting up his country for disaster. How were a handful of gunmen able to take over a whole city (Mosul)? Shame on the Iraqi government and those supporting them. Iraq needs a strong leader. One of the weaknesses of the country is that its people are distinguished as Sunnis and Shias, which I believe is a political tactic to keep people in constant fear of each other.
From Ms Katarina Kunakova
Dubai
Facebook comment
Can’t feel safe
The views of political leaders in India on the topic of sexual assault was appalling (‘Change of mindset can end rape culture in India,’ Gulf News, June 14). Do they honestly think that making girls wear an overcoat will prevent men from being driven mad by lust? Indian school uniforms are decent and I don’t see how a salwar can induce lustful thoughts. In cases like with Ms Jyoti Singh, how was it her fault? It’s the men who raped her who should be at her feet. I was shaking with anger as I read readers’ comments about boys being boys or that Ms Singh should beg for forgiveness. I can’t believe that they blame it on the person’s stars and say that only an astrologer can predict rape. How are women supposed to feel safe in a country that constantly rebuffs their cries for help? How will they trust any government with their safety?
From Ms Sankavi M.
Dubai
Full name withheld by request
Punishment as well
Not only a change in mindsets is needed, but strict punishments as well. The guaranteed implementations of those punishments need to stop men from thinking about it.
From Ms Jazira C.
Dubai
Survivors and victors
This is an eye opener to the plight of Indian ministers right now. Gulf News, thank you for reminding me about the snide comments. If you notice, the entire list of comments in the report was mainly by men. I think that’s what India has turned into: a chauvinistic nation, ruled by such men. Is it any wonder then that rapes happen in India? According to these ministers, rape is not a heinous crime in some cases and it should, therefore, be excused if the rapist says it was an accident. In some cases of rape, destroying a girl’s future is a sound punishment. To whom may I ask?
While according to another, boys need their share of fun, by hearing the protests and yells as he forces himself on some unfortunate girl? People are waking up to reality, which is why protests and rallies are happening. And instead of justifying or hushing up such acts of violence, voice it, support the people raising a voice against it. Voice your concerns, show your anger and let it be felt through the nation. Force the lawmakers to implement it strictly. Condemn people who hush such incidents. Support the girls, because it is not their fault. Don’t treat victims badly. We need to look upon them as survivors and victors of a physical and mental battle.
From Ms Sandy Sunvi
UAE
Upbringing
I have to ask, what are we, as parents, doing or not doing? Why do we have sons who think and feel it’s okay to even touch a woman without her consent, much less violently rape her and not feel any sense of guilt! Don’t these men have mothers and sisters?
It’s really sad that we have come so far, yet some people in our society still are living and thinking in the dark days! Any society or community that turns a blind eye to these atrocities should be ashamed of themselves. We need to realise that our daughters are our most precious ones, they are our future mothers and we must protect them at all costs! Abuse flows from generation to generation and unless we all stand up and say ‘enough,’ it will unfortunately continue!
From Ms Sheridan Tanner
UAE
Unacceptable
For those who are discussing where the woman is from, bad behaviour doesn’t have a country (‘Watch: Woman denied cigarettes vandalises supermarket in Sharjah’, Gulf News, June 13). It’s a behavioural issue. As a woman, I feel it’s unacceptable to act like this, no matter the time, place or country of origin. We have both well-mannered people and people with poor etiquette in all countries. I’m appalled!
From Ms Cecilia Zapata
Dubai
Facebook comment
The full story
I don’t think this video should have been posted on the internet. It should be left to the authorities to deal with it and we don’t need to blame and shame in public. It is definitely wrong to vandaliSe the shop, but this behaviour could have been provoked by supermarket’s staff as well. We can’t see how they treated the customer in the video clip.
From Ms Zina H. Komad
UAE
Facebook comment
It doesn’t matter
Zina, no matter how she was treated, it doesn’t give her the right to trash the place.
From Mr Mubasher Shaikh
London, United Kingdom
Facebook comment
Not the best option
As someone who works in car rental services, I don’t understand the point (‘Don’t hold passports, car rental agencies told’, Gulf News, June 13). When companies rent out cars worth Dh50,000 or Dh200,000, they want to keep something as a guarantee that their cars would be returned without any damage. What would we do with a credit card? Passport or Emirates ID is the only guarantee that car rental services keep. When a customer doesn’t return the car or doesn’t pay rent and fines, then we are the ones who have to run around to police stations to catch the culprit. Our car, our own company, our money, yet we have to run around to get it back! I urge the authorities to extend more assistance and support to car rental companies. I agree with another reader, who commented saying there are many companies that charge over Dh400 for a minor scratch. Legally, they have the right to take the money, but they should also know that the customer won’t return again nor would he suggest the rental service to friends and family.
From Mr Sufi Mohammad Junooni
Sharjah
Shouldn’t need passport
I don’t agree with Mr Sufi Mohammad Junooni. If you are a rental company owner or worker, please don’t expend your frustration over people. There are laws which shouldn’t be just looked from one point of view and it’s too rude to say that if you don’t want to give a passport or emirates ID, then buy your own car. It’s similar to saying that if you don’t want to pay high rents then buy your own home.
From Mr Mike C. Jordan
Dubai
Facebook comment
What’s the problem?
Nowhere else in the world does a rental car agency hold someone’s passport. As long as you have a copy and the credit card number, there shouldn’t be any problems. And being that the country doesn’t allow anyone to leave if they have an outstanding debt, what’s the problem?
From Mr Shondale J. P. G.
UAE
Good luck, Brazil
It’s too early to predict who will win the final as we haven’t seen all the teams play (‘Shaheen the Camel’s World Cup Prediction of the Day,’ Gulf News, June 14). Though, I do wish Brazil good luck as this event has caused so much upheaval in the country. A win might pacify and unite the nation for a while.
From Ms Aziza Al Busaidy
UAE
Facebook comment
Camel time
Remember Paul, the octopus? He predicted all seven of their matches in the 2010 World Cup — now it’s the camel’s time.
From Mr Amjad Aziz
Dubai
Competition of prediction
The camel is not alone, though. Shaheen will have to face tough competition from a group of cute panda cubs from Sichuan province in China and Nelly, the German elephant, in order to become the next animal oracle for the World Cup. All the best, Shaheen!
From Mr Fazal Bangash
Loopholes a vulnerability?
What transpired at Karachi’s international airport, was a militant mission fuelled by the Pakistani government’s inability to close all loopholes that did benefit the assailants (‘Musharraf seeks immediate lifting of travel ban,’ Gulf News, June 13). The incident not only led to the loss of 28 lives, it also tarnished Pakistan’s image in the world as the sitting government has been unable to counter militant’s attacks.
The ease with which the militants entered the airport’s premises, let alone entering Karachi with bags filled with weapons and explosives, signals at the incompetence of the country’s law enforcement agencies to thwart any such attacks.
Jinnah International Airport was left unguarded and allowed the militants to follow their objectives with ease. The old terminal, the Fokker Gate, through where the militants made their way onto the tarmac, was the biggest loophole because there were no strict security checkpoints, and the militants were clad in airport staff’s uniform that did camouflage their identity. Seems like no one bothered to ask the militants since they were looking lik airport staff.
While the militants have been carrying out attacks across Pakistan and openly claiming responsibility, the Pakistani government seems to have lost its strategic edge over the situation. An attack of this nature, where militants target an international airport, may be seen by the Pakistan army as the last nail in the coffin in the government’s efforts to impose democracy and instill peace in the country. The incident also describes how Karachi remains a vulnerable target and that militants can attack any public place and high-security sensitive areas on any given day.
This should be a case study for the Pakistani government to understand the loopholes present at high security areas and how to avoid such incidents.
It is high time that the government rethinks its strategy on the war on terror, takes action against militants, and brings peace in the country.
From Mr Mohammad Omar Iftikhar
Karachi
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