This isn’t Islamic and Pakistan need to do something
If one person kills an innocent person it is as if that person has killed all of humanity – these are the teachings of the Quran (‘Pakistan: ‘Honour’ killings grow more brutal, draw backlash’, Gulf News, July 5). Taking the life of anyone is solely the choice of God. Killing in the name of honour is done in many parts of the world, not only in Pakistan.
When the Quran says that there is no compulsion in religion, then why are forced marriages allowed? True Islamic teachings allow a woman consent in her marriage. If she don’t like a man selected by her family, she can reject that proposal.
There are many reasons in parents’ minds for not accepting a marriage proposal that is chosen by their children. But religion does not allow parents or anyone else to take the life of their children.
The government in Pakistan must abolish the jirga system as soon as possible. This system is the main culprit for taking the lives of so many innocent people. The government must arrange police stations and family courts to give justice. Brave lawyers and judges must be appointed who are not scared of anyone when giving justice.
From Ms Syeda Ahmad
UAE
Facebook comment
Killing on the rise
Sadly, the scariest thing is not that a mother strangled and burnt her daughter to death. The scariest thing is that “honour killing” appears to be on the rise!
From Ms Sana Abu Backer
UAE
Facebook comment
Help solve the problem
Instead of people blaming Gulf News on the Facebook page for reporting these things, why don’t I see more Pakistanis condemning these acts? There’s something wrong going on in your country, acknowledge it and try to fix it. Yes, we know rape runs rampant in India and Gulf News reports on that, too. Every single country in the world has something wrong with it.
Did you read the articles about the Texan mother in the US who shot her two children? Did you read the article about the bombings in Saudi Arabia and Turkey? Did you read the articles on the corruption in the Philippines? Let’s not forget the scandal articles written on a couple of Bollywood actors, too.
Be part of the people solving the problem.
From Mr Morvarid Jalali
Sharjah
Facebook comment
No one’s honour hurt
This woman’s daughter didn’t do anything against her mother’s honour. She married. God will not forget what she has done.
From Ms Ameena Anjum Nazir
Dubai
Facebook comment
Selfish and brutal
Killing has no link with any honour. It’s a brutal and criminal act. It’s better to abandon her rather than to kill her. She also deserves to live. Don’t be selfish.
From Mr Sati Kaamil
UAE
Facebook comment
An attack against all
The attackers should be prosecuted strictly with an iron fist for going after the holy land (‘Madinah mosque opens for prayers after blast’, Gulf News, July 6). It’s not only the issue of the Saudi Arabian authorities anymore. The global Muslim community is involved when the Prophet’s [PBUH] Mosque is in danger. Otherwise, our doorsteps are not secure.
From Mr Kamil Orakzai
UAE
Facebook comment
Affecting all Muslims
The blast in the city of Madinah, Saudi Arabia is like a stab in the heart of every Muslim in the world.
From Mr Tajamul Hussain Turi
UAE
Facebook comment
Journalism holds the key
It was really comforting to read these comments by Ahmad Mustafa (‘Stop hijacking our religion’, Gulf News, July 2). The issues raised and deliberated are not of contemporary relevance only, but carry a message for all those media persons who are engaged with this noble profession. In the present day circumstances, the media has a vital role to play in our society to format and scan our mindset and push us in the right direction. Even more so when the entire humanity is faced with growing challenges like that of terrorism, radicalism and militancy all over the globe. It is the best tool to spread awareness in our minds and provide insight about what is happening in our world, making us aware about our rights, creating awareness against evils in our society, exposing corrupt politicians and other scams happening around/inside our society and country.
So, as far as the battle for combatting terrorism is concerned, the media plays a key role in adopting pro-active measures that can serve as effective ‘soft weapons’ in the fight against extremists and other subversive elements bent upon creating havoc in the world.
All great religious leaders and spiritual celebrities have always spread the message of love, but unfortunately many of their followers end up spreading hatred. These evil-minded people do not hesitate in committing dreadful crimes. This is the reason why there is so much tribulation, violence, distress and chaos prevailing in society and the world around. Compassion and empathy are elementary components that can lift our values and stabilise human relationships across the world and for that the responsibility lies on the shoulders of the media to uphold these values.
From Dr Shiben Krishen Raina
Ajman
Problems that need to be faced
A lack of centralised authority in Islam on issuing authenticated decrees or fatwas has been a major source of encouragement for the so-called scholars regardless of their geographical location and their level of understanding of the religion. However, a long term and effective solution to this problem would be hard to achieve with the help of external sources such social media alone. The emergence of these platforms is something new, but extremists have proven many times that their dependency on technology is just a complementing tool that helps their propagation tactics. The traditional methods of propagation of their twisted ideology have found effective means even before the advent of social media, such as using places of worship to brainwash youth and religious educational institutes being turned into indoctrination camps.
Mustafa has rightly cited that a good portion of the monetary contributions from the rich and generous Muslims originally intended for genuine charity causes, somehow have ended up in the hands of those who hold extremist views. But this situation is easy to control with a well-designed regulatory policy drafted by respective governments to choke off the flow of financial funds that otherwise may be freely channelled to extremist groups.
The argument that Daesh is the creation of West is the most absurd theory that has been going since the organisation originated in Syria and with the number people subscribing to the propagation being so huge. Such a mentality is not helping to resolve the situation that we face today. The notion that everything is perfect within us, the Muslim community, is very immature and is one reason that puts Muslims in a state of perpetual denial.
From Mr Esmail Mohammad
Dubai
Strongest bonds are based on trust
The UAE Consulate in Kerala, India should have opened much before, not only because of the presence of a large number of expatriates in the UAE (‘UAE likely to open consulate in Kerala in August’, Gulf News, July 4). The success stories of Kerala has inspired others to follow irrespective of their qualifications and skills. Kerala has grown. The standard of living of people in the state is the highest among any other Indian states. Millions of employment opportunities created over decades. Dreams turned into realities and made many into billionaires. The bond between Kerala and the UAE is strong. Now the presence of the people from Kerala in the UAE is reciprocated with the opening of its Consulate in the state. Let this relationship remain intact forever.
From Mr Girish R. Edathitta
Dubai
The spirit of humanity
I am really touched by the story of Sana who wanted to buy gifts for her brother’s birthday (Letters to the editor: The kindness of residents’, Gulf News, July 10). Kudos to Gulf News! I’m really touched by this news of the girl who wished to get a pair of sports shoes and a football for her brother. This girl did not give up or get involved in something bad to arrange money for her brother.
Instead, she cooked and sold food to collect money for the gift. It’s amazing to see the spirit of humanity among the people here, who decided to give the family a fancy iftar treat, gifts and money and other things.
It’s really praiseworthy and my heart goes out to this girl who loves her brother so much. May the family stay blessed and kudos to Gulf News for bringing happiness to the lives of such people.
From Ms Meena
Dubai
Finding happiness
Happiness stories have a lot of power and they are always refreshing to hear and little breaths of fresh air when looking back. I have made it a practice to call my mother daily after reaching home. It’s a time dedicated during weekdays, like a commitment to fulfil. It’s a time when I hear the expectations of someone who lives so far away, but someone who is always close to my heart and listening to her voice makes the stressful day melt away. The little time they spend over the phone can make a difference, and it really relaxes the family as a whole.
The conversation I usually have really helps to divert the mindset from work to home, it encourages a comfortable dinner and definitely boosts a good sleep. I feel like I’m back home for a while with my parents, as the little time gives a stimulating start to compose the next day more refreshed.
Happiness in life is a kind of reflection that every moment fetches and valuing the spirit of a parental partnership can obviously turn all that impossible to possible. With my mother, it’s a waiting time for her to hear my voice from miles away, but it touches so deep for both of us.
At the end of our conversations, it becomes an emotional event that carries out until the next day when we speak again.
From Mr Ramachandran Nair
Oman
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