Arab alliance at the right time
The joint Arab military action led by Saudi Arabia against Al Houthi rebels in Yemen is most timely (‘UN imposes arms embargo against Al Houthis’, Gulf News, April 15). Any inaction on the part of Arab countries in the face of Iranian provocations would have been a historic mistake. After reaching a framework nuclear deal with the US and the Western powers, Iran has become emboldened. It was once considered one of the most dangerous regimes, threatening the peace of the world, and was branded as part of the ‘axis of evil’. Now, it is on its way to being accepted as a full-fledged partner of the US and the other world powers in the near future. Even before the final deal is signed and the sanctions are lifted, Iran has enhanced its active support to rebel groups in the Middle Eastern countries, seriously threatening their sovereignty and security.
It is highly hypocritical on the part of Iran to now appeal for a halt in the air strikes and to be open to holding a dialogue. Yemen’s exiled President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi has rightly accused Iran of being obsessed with regional domination. The United Nations (UN) Security Council’s resolution imposing an arms embargo on Al Houthi militants and its allies will oblige Iran to stop sending arms shipments to them and thus force them to withdraw from areas they have seized.
Wars are devastating. They invariably cause indescribable pain and suffering to the indigenous people. Yemen has endured instability and violence for so long. Therefore, it is in the interests of all to try to restore the legitimate government of Hadi and begin a dialogue, to bring lasting peace and stability to the country.
From Mr Muneer Ahmad
UAE
Terrorism is evolving
Human beings have evolved from the Stone Age, to become the well-mannered folk that we are today, but terrorism has evolved and gained a barbaric temperament (‘UN decries rampant use of rape, sexual slavery’, Gulf News, April 15). The hidden assassinations and car bombings of the olden days has morphed into public beheadings, burning people alive and other inhumane, brutal acts that we can’t even fathom. Also, the people doing this show much zest in publicising their treacherous feats in every way. This evolution, we can strongly justify, portrays to us the dark, beastly side of every human being. I hope that all my fellow citizens feel the same way about this and support the global fight against all forms of terrorism.
From Ms Preyas
UAE
What counts as an emergency?
Some people have low pain tolerance or are paranoid when they feel a small amount of discomfort, resulting in them considering it to be a medical emergency (‘‘Silly calls’ flood Dubai ambulance service hotline’, Gulf News, April 14). There is a need for educating the public about what real emergencies are. This can be done through flyers, events or programs.
From Ms Noora V.
UAE
No time to live lavishly
I am surprised the words ‘lavish lifestyle’ was used in the report (‘Nearly half of UAE residents to use bonus to pay off debts’, Gulf News, April 15). If you have children and try to give them a decent education and activities, what lavish lifestyle would you be referring to? Who really enjoys a lavish lifestyle? Only a few. The large majority of us take loans and then some more loans. School fees and rents are the worst. Now Gulf News, where are the 70 per cent of people who get a bonus?
From Ms Izabella Salloum
Dubai
Never received a bonus
I haven’t heard of a bonus in my entire career history, since 2008. It’s a new word for me. Perhaps this word doesn’t exist in my company’s dictionary. I think it will remain a dream for me, to get a bonus.
From Mr M. Haseeb Mirza
UAE
Website comment
Focus on a cure for cancer
The report about advanced exploration of a tumour’s genetic make-up to target cancerous cells, was a very interesting read (‘Treatments that could target cancer better’, Gulf News, April 15). Tumour profiling seems to be an extraordinary step forward for science, but I wish it weren’t reserved for people with advanced cancer, who have no treatment options that seem likely to be effective. Research labs need to invest a greater number of resources in finding solutions for cancer treatment, as it is one of the most serious diseases plaguing mankind in the 21st century. According to US-based Centre for Disease Control, each year globally, about 14 million people learn they have cancer, and eight million people die from the disease. Probably everyone I know has known a cancer survivor or lost someone they love because of the big ‘C’. I hope the future is much brighter for those dealing with this disease.
From Ms Amelia Pearson
Dubai
Women need a bigger platform
I came across a photograph published in Gulf News of female students taking a test in their quest to land police jobs in Karachi, Pakistan (“Chasing police jobs”, Gulf News, April 15). As a woman of Pakistani origin, I felt proud after reading this news report. Living in this country, it seems like we women are constantly fighting for our rights and empowerment. There have been a few success stories, such as Nobel Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai who has made a big difference at such a young age and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy who won recognition for her documentary, ‘Saving Face’, which was a portrayal of Pakistani victims of acid attacks. Unfortunately, the irony of the matter is that the victims of those attacks were women. Majority of the female population is still struggling to have their say or to be recognised for their own achievements, instead of having to live under the shadow of their male counterparts. I support these small steps in the right direction and hope for a more equal position for women in our society in the near future.
From Ms Zainab Shaikh
Karachi, Pakistan
Net neutrality a must
The internet has become part and parcel of our lives (‘Suit filed as US ‘open internet’ regulation becomes official’, Gulf News, April 15). In such an age, it is insensible for the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to come up with a concept that challenges net neutrality. Millions of people are protesting this move — one that I believe will eventually kill free internet. When paying an internet provider, a user should be allowed to choose websites or services they want to avail on the internet. Why should one be charged for every individual service? Why should we be told which services to use? Commercial organisations that are rich will easily partner with providers, but what about smaller companies? Will they be able to afford prices for partnership? Moreover, this move will curb our reach of information. Easy availability of information is key for the development of young minds these days, to suit the challenges they will face later in a technologically advanced world. We need to save the internet and keep it free for everyone’s use.
From Ms Eliza Ammar
Abu Dhabi
Declining freedom in Bangladesh
According to news reports, Bangladesh’s opposition party announced a two-day strike after the hanging of prominent leaders in the Jamaat-e-Islami party. Qamar uz Zaman, general secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami, was hanged to death in a Dhaka prison. He was an elected member of parliament and a well-known political figure in the country. He was also running an orphanage for poor children. Several Jamaat-e-Islami leaders are facing harsh sentences after the formation of the war crime tribunal. Human rights organisations Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have expressed serious concerns over the recent verdict of this tribunal.
Unfortunately, despite growing tension between the government and opposition, Shaikh Hasina’s government is not trying hard enough to calm the situation down. The recent sentencing of the Jamaat-e-Islami leader and the house arrest of major opposition leader Khalida Zia fuelled further anger and the opposition called for a countrywide general strike. Human rights organisations claim that the death toll is much higher, because security forces use live ammunition against unarmed protestors. Opposition parties claim that the government is trying to divert the attention of the people from real issues. Only last year, more than a thousand people lost their lives when a garment factory collapsed during working hours. In another incident, ten people lost their lives due to a fire in another garment factory. Now, the European Union (EU) is showing serious concerns over poor safety standards in the Bangladeshi textile industry, which is the backbone of the country’s economy. Due to political uncertainty, daily strikes and low business activities, poor people find it hard to provide the daily necessities to their families, which is very unfortunate.
From Mr Khawaja Omar Farooq
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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