Pakistan’s children live in fear
Schools have opened in Pakistan’s provincial capital of Lahore, after more than a week. The country’s so-called ‘experienced’ government gave the orders to close down educational institutions because of a severe cold spell in the city at midnight on a working day last week. Was this the sole reason for this action? No! The real reason is serious security threats and to add fuel to the fire, the Pakistani government has refused to provide security to private schools, claiming it is the prime responsibility of the owners and administrators of educational institutions to do so.
My 10-year-old son refused to go to school when it finally reopened, saying he’s scared. Who is responsible for this fear? Who is responsible for getting rid of this fear? This child and millions of other children going to school every morning are citizens of Pakistan, and they have every right to be safe and secure in their homeland.
The government can allocate the highest amount toward the army budget and can spend billions on Operation Zarb-e-Azb. It can spend much more on projects that are least required, like metros and highly controversial VIP protocols. But, it cannot provide security to its children. Sadly, these are the country’s leaders and this is the nation we belong to.
Did we return to Pakistan after 15 years of living in Dubai, holding a green passport by choice, to experience the fear our children face? What future do these 10-year-olds have in Pakistan? Is there anyone who can answer our questions?
From Ms Khaula Shahbaz Rao
Lahore, Pakistan
End religion-related violence
Saudi Arabia is one of the Islamic countries that has passed laws so that there would not be disputes because of religion (‘Saudi Arabia identifies mosque suicide bomber’, Gulf News, February 1). This person will likely get the death penalty because one law in Saudi Arabia has death as the punishment for a third offence. Nearly all Muslim countries are very serious about ending religion-related violence.
From Mr Bobby Dias
Santa Maria, US
Facebook comment
Attacking the innocent
It is terribly sad that this young man chose the wrong path and brought shame to his family after carrying out a suicide attack in a mosque and taking down four other innocent lives. It is tragic that youngsters who have their whole lives ahead of them are being influenced into committing such crimes and wasting their lives. It is heartbreaking that despite supposedly being a Muslim, the bomber attacked his fellow brothers as they performed their prayers.
From Ms Fatima Suhail
Sharjah
Facebook comment
Disappointing
It’s such a strange thing when brothers murder brothers. Almost like a cruel joke. It’s disappointing.
From Ms Jyotsna Menezes
UAE
Facebook comment
A corrupted mind
This is so sad. At a young age, he could have been a better version of himself. So disappointing to know young minds think and plan crimes like that. Many factors contributed to his decisions, but one thing is for sure: he was deceived and corrupted.
From Ms Maitha Al Khalifa
Dubai
Facebook comment
Waste of life
Unnecessary waste of a youth for the community and a precious loss for the parents and other loved ones. He could have made his life memorable by living a normal, mentally sound and healthy life.
From Ms Farzana Ghori
UAE
Facebook comment
Making a mockery
What a waste of a young life. I just don’t understand why anyone would think that any faith would allow people to bomb a place of peace and worship. As a Catholic, I was taught in school that the Muslim faith was a peaceful religion. What has happened in the last 20 years? There are now some extremists creating havoc. Why are we allowing these fringe elements to make a mockery of their faith?
From Ms Ruth Tuttle-Jones
UAE
Facebook comment
Solution needed in Syria
This article has highlighted a core issue, which has many implications related to the ongoing migrant crisis that has confounded European Union (EU) countries (‘How not to handle the Great Migration’, Gulf News, February 1). Initially, the EU’s move to open up its borders to facilitate war-stricken Syrians had won plaudits all around. Though the move was made with the noblest of intentions, it was viewed as a strategic step to rejuvenate and revive an economic slowdown, especially in Germany. However, the heavy influx of migrants and EU’s inability to swiftly cope and manage them had an adverse effect.
To add to the growing woes, refugees from other war-torn countries, such as Iraq and Afghanistan, have sought this as an opportunity to turn towards greener pastures and have joined the Syrian migrant flow into Europe. This primarily has led to a number of other social and economic issues, the most critical of them being terrorism associated with Daesh.
In light of these increasing socio-economic troubles with most of the European countries, they have resorted to bringing about border reforms, migrant quotas and eligibility criteria to address the heavy migrant influx. Though this move might assist in curtailing the migrant inflow, this would only serve as a temporary way forward.
The EU should encourage world powers to focus on the Syrian conflict and start finding a lasting solution to end the civil war. Otherwise, the war might never physically spill over to Europe, but its repercussions will be severe.
From Mr Bilal Farooq
Abu Dhabi
Not the woman’s fault
Why are women to blame for a men’s behaviour (‘Air hostess berated for not wearing hijab in Saudi Arabia’, Gulf News, February 1)? In this case, he should have not stared at the woman. I’ve seen men even leer at women in hijab! Men have this problem — albeit some, not all.
From Ms Vickie Al Hazineh
UAE
Facebook comment
A country’s laws
If France and Australia can force Muslim women to remove their niqab (face veil) for the sake of nationalism or education, then why can’t Saudis make the hijab compulsory? It’s a matter of people’s culture. Please do not spread propaganda over this or spread negativity. Instead of a flight delay, the airline’s management should have educated their staff to be kind with the elderly.
From Mr Faizan Siddiqui
Manana, Bahrain
Facebook comment
Headscarf is her choice
These extremely conservative people in society should probably start travelling by land and not create issues for others. It causes an embarrassing situation. The air hostess’ headscarf is her choice! This person should be charged for causing an unnecessary delay for the flight.
From Ms Zarah Binth Rahman
UAE
Facebook comment
Lower your gaze
The Prophet [PBUH] advised men to lower their gaze. I’m not sure why people don’t follow his teachings properly. If men can’t control themselves at the sight of an uncovered women, then that’s the real problem.
From Mr Asif A. R.
UAE
Facebook comment
This isn’t an issue
Wearing a hijab is compulsory in Saudi Arabia. So, what he said is the law in his country. It is a place where such practices are followed strictly. This is not an issue at all.
From Mr Fahad Liaqat
UAE
Facebook comment
Judging harshly
He should have lowered his gaze, as advised by the Prophet [PBUH]. Rather, he seemed to be trying to teach religion, while conveniently ignoring it for himself. Such a shame that people judge others so harshly.
From Mr Abbas Teja
Dubai
Facebook comment
No manners
He is liable to pay damages to the airline and the air hostess. Such an ill-mannered man!
From Ms Angel Rocamonje
UAE
Facebook comment
Respect other’s clothing
The search for peace is eternal and we should remember that respect begets respect. What’s the matter if the woman doesn’t like to wear customary apparel? I’m sure that if you travel to many different countries, people will respect you, no matter what you wear!
From Ms Alner Sabas
Dubai
Facebook comment
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