No right to insult women!
Islam is a religion where one should respect the other person (‘Female shopper ejected from Saudi mall ‘for not wearing gloves’, Gulf News, May 26). If someone you think is doing wrong, then you can correct them by talking to them politely. No one has any right to insult someone this way.
From Ms Fatima
UAE
Facebook comment
Not mentioned in Islam!
There is no such thing mentioned in Islam saying that women have to wear gloves. Islam is a very modern religion in the world. It is my opinion that Islam is the first religion to give proper respect to women in the history of mankind.
From Mr Ali Jaffri
Dubai
Facebook comment
There are larger concerns
What a misunderstanding of Islam. What a wrong interpretation of God’s commands. What a silly concern that they get themselves busy with rather than concerning themselves with more serious issues like war, hunger and poverty. This is the 21st century, wake up!
It’s not okay to kick someone from the mall because her hands were exposed. The profit Mohammad [PBUH] was the best person to learn from and to follow in his footsteps. In his day, he was centuries ahead more enlightened and open-minded than what people like these who think women need to cover their hands.
From Ms Reemara Abdul
Muscat, Oman
Facebook comment
Being modest and progressive
I don’t understand why these people want to put women through this in our modern era. When people ask this question, I feel that the common response is to say that dressing nearly naked isn’t progressive. I feel that most people don’t mean that dressing provocatively is progressive, but having modest clothing is.
From Ms Sairii Mehnaz Kamal
New York, US
Facebook comment
Time doesn’t change Islam
Let it be the 21st or 22nd century, there is no change in Islam. How can you change God’s order yourself by giving reference to the 21st century? If you are a Muslim, you have to follow Islam’s rules. Men are supposed to lower their gaze and prevent themselves from looking at women. Also, women shouldn’t expose their beauty except to their husband and immediate family. The century we are in doesn’t matter.
From Mr Jameel Baig
Hyderabad, India
Facebook comment
Hands and faces are allowed
But, Mr Jameel Baig, there are no such comments about hands being covered. I have been to Saudi Arabia and I have seen many women covering there heads and body, but I saw them with their faces and hands exposed, and it wasn’t a problem. Don’t misinterpret things.
From Mr Mubashir Bhat
Jaipur, India
Facebook comment
Not only a woman’s fault!
The problem was apparently also because she was sitting too close to a man. Why is it only the woman’s fault? If the woman was sitting too close to the man then, clearly, the man was also sitting too close to the woman!
From Ms Victoria Allen
Cham, Switzerland
Facebook comment
More segregation the solution?
It is sad to know that the woman shopping was prevented from entering a shop and instead asked to return home by the religious police for not having worn gloves and sitting in a specific pose. It is infuriating that the woman was ordered to leave the mall instead of the male shopkeeper who also sat close to her. Why is the woman blamed in such situations even when she is not at fault? With such attitude towards women, the country is less likely to progress in the future. It is a great shame that women are treated inferior to men. In my opinion, Saudi Arabia should have separate malls for both genders so that women can shop at women-only malls without being harassed or humiliated. The authorities could employ Saudi women as shopkeepers in such malls so such issues will not arise in the future and women do not have to feel sorry for anything.
From Ms Fatima Suhail
Sharjah
Facebook comment
Don’t judge Saudi
I find the headline deceiving in this article! Make sure this article is properly read before commenting blindly. I have a few friends in Saudi Arabia and they do not only travel around with bare hands, but also bare faces! These things are allowed, so Saudi Arabia shouldn’t be painted so negatively because of one story or incident.
From Ms Iram Siddique
UAE
Facebook comment
Went too far
When I went to Saudi Arabia, I didn’t have to cover my face or hands. I saw a lot of women like that. This is a little too much, I guess.
From Ms Madiha Babar Kayani
UAE
Facebook comment
This is positive action
I think that what the religious police have done is really good. I appreciate their hard work in these matters.
From Mr Taufeeq Ahmad
Dammam, Saudi Arabia
Facebook comment
Need for women in police
I think that there should be a female Islamic police for women! Why was that man even looking at her hands?
From Ms Sadia Khan
UAE
Facebook comment
Many interpretations of Quran
This is not Islam. Islam is the most beautiful religion of all. Although the Quran is in Arabic, people whose first language is Arabic can’t understand it properly. There are many interpretations.
From Ms Weda Shah
UAE
Facebook comment
Respect national traditions
Although this doesn’t seem right, it needs to be understood that each country has their own traditions. We need to respect all.
From Ms Silvia Mora
Argentina
Facebook comment
A chosen way of life
As a non-Arab Muslim, I believe that those kinds of practices are a part of their ancient traditional cultures that have survived the ages and people are still stuck on them today. Looking at the history, Islam originated from this area and Islam has been for a long time their law, so of course the law systems and its methods to punish people were much influenced by the way of living during that time. I think this is why some Muslims nowadays are still thinking and expecting certain behaviour. It is the same way of life as it was in the lifestyles of Arabia, 1,400 years ago.
So, why are we so bothered of how they live their own life as long as it is not disturbing ours? Yes, it looks very different to us, but it’s up to their own people to change or stick with their old traditions.
From Mr Tio Nugroho
Dubai
Facebook comment
This is Islam
I don’t think Mr Tio Nugroho is right, this is not a lifestyle from 1,400 years ago. This is the teachings of Islam and sitting with an unknown person, smiling and talking isn’t allowed. If any woman wants freedom from Islam they should leave Saudi Arabia because it’s a Muslim country. I personally appreciate Saudi law.
From Mr Wahab Khan
Dubai
Facebook comment
Let’s stop young people smoking!
Last weekend, I went for an outing to Ajman beach with my friends and family (‘Community Report In-depth: Say ‘no’ to the cancer stick’, Gulf News, May 26). It was shocking for all of us to see some children of our age smoking cigarettes, one after the other. What surprised us the most was that these children were least concerned about health problems.
As our society is moving at a faster rate than ever before, more and more students tend to be persuaded to try such unhealthy practices. I was determined to do our part towards bringing about a change in this situation.
This addiction to tobacco products in teenagers is due to lack of awareness in the community, schools and family. It is absolutely essential to bring this social issue into the limelight as it greatly affects the health of a great many people in society.
In association with the World No Tobacco Day being observed today and as the ambassador of the eco-club in my school, our club has decided to initiate many activities in collaboration with the faculty and youth community to widen the students’ knowledge of the ill effects of smoking and to prevent them from taking up these harmful activities.
From Ms Anagha Rajesh
Dubai
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