Rulers made the world aware of Dubai

Made the world aware of Dubai

The selection of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, as the Cultural Personality of the Year is the happiest news to the residents of not only Dubai, but the entire UAE (‘‘Mohammad epitomises the vision of Zayed the founder’’, Gulf News, April 16). Shaikh Mohammad has done so much for the development of Dubai, which has become one of the most modern cities of the world. He played a major part in making the world aware of Dubai and the UAE and made even the superpowers realise that it is a dynamic nation with a modern system of development and growth.

Shaikh Mohammad has constantly encouraged creative innovations and all possible steps for the orderly growth of Dubai. His name will be written in golden letters in the annals of the history of this metropolitan city in the desert.

From Mr Thomas Matthew Parackel

Kerala, India

Language of violence

I n following the conflict, one can quickly conclude that the only reason the Saudi coalition has been created was because Al Houthis would not come to a peaceful solution after pushing out the legitimate government (‘UN imposes arms embargo against Al Houthis; Russia abstains’, Gulf News, April 15).

If Al Houthis destabilise the country’s government even further, the way that they have, it can result in the growth of terrorism — Afghanistan being a perfect example of that. And, just as predicted, this has happened in Yemen as well because Al Qaida seized an airport in the country.

Al Houthi militants need to stop acting with violence if they actually want their voice to be heard. But, until now, they have yet to listen to the international community and the UN’s calls for a peaceful solution. War is the only language they have been speaking since September.

From Ms Lili Maria

Dubai

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Unnecessary political strife

Saying that one of the minorities has too many children is an old claim and not at all true (‘India party demands sterilisation of minorities’, Gulf News, April 15). I am the only child of my parents. In my entire family circle, no one has more than two children. If you check the survey, you can clearly observe that many Muslims have been doing family planning even better than many other communities for the past 15 years. In this busy world, as per Indian economics, we often cannot survive with more than one child, so how can anyone imagine us having 10?

Such claims seem to be a brainwashing attempt against minorities. These politicians need to kindly do their job and let other communities live peacefully. All Indians, including Muslims, Christians, and all minorities, have sacrificed for our freedom from the British colonial rule, so we are all proud to say we are Indian.

From Mr Mahabub

UAE

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Growth of extreme ideas

Minorities are facing such issues, and this is just the beginning of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s time in office! I hope Muslims and other minorities don’t face more problems in the future and are able to live peacefully in India.

From Mr Ahmad

UAE

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Wake up, Indian government

It is sad and shameful that all Indians, irrespective of their religion, have been deceived into voting for a government that promised good governance, development and equal rights of minorities. Besides, Modi keeps trumpeting in India and mainly abroad that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government spares no effort to ensure every Indian is taken care of, but it is purely to beg for investments, technological know-how and sympathy from Western nations.

On ground zero, there have been numerous issues against Muslims and Christians over the past year since the BJP came to power. Numerous bans, hateful speech and irresponsible statements were made by fringe groups – all right under the nose of Modi.

Given the climate of fear, the minorities live on a day-to-day basis. Can we Indians call ourselves the largest democratic nation? As per the constitution, every Indian has seven fundamental rights and no elected government can take this away from us. Who is the BJP to talk to Muslims and Christians on forced sterilisations? Why is Modi silent and unable to come down heavy-handedly on his cronies? A few days ago, statements were made saying there should be no voting rights for Muslims, they should receive forced sterilisation and later, another church was attacked in Agra. It’s not the BJP who is at the forefront of developments per se, but every Indian contributes to the nation. This warrants a wake-up call for the present government to say enough is enough. Or else, they will be booted out from power.

From Mr Melwyn

UAE

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Using the religion card

Political leaders in India use the religion card as an unchangeable truth. Minorities in India have no voice, as elected representatives from their localities represent their own religion, which is the religion of the majority. Therefore, the oppression of minorities is increasing day-by-day. The calls to take away voting rights, forcing sterilisation upon a community, or forcing people to change their diet with a ban on beef are examples of alienating a large portion of the country’s population.

This is an open attempt to make minorities second class citizens and to treat their own citizens like outsiders, because of their faith. Governments need to be well-wishers for their citizens and should not be biased. If we keep going this way, every religious group, such as Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, and Buddhists, will have to have their own elected representatives based on the number of people, in order to have a fair say in the government.

From a reader

UAE

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Views of a power-hungry few

These are the views of fanatic politicians in India who will say and do anything to gain favour with some, regardless of popularity. Ultimately, one day they will realise that they are burning their own house.

From Mr Fahad Hassan

UAE

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What are we capable of?

I am really shocked by the report about the maid who is to be executed for killing a child in Saudi Arabia (‘Maid to be executed for child murder’, Gulf News, April 16). How could a domestic helper kill a four-year old innocent child? She used a cleaver to end the victim’s life while her father and mother were at work and her other two sisters at school. What made the merciless helper commit such a heinous crime, is yet to be known. The recruiting agencies have to obtain medical certificates from qualified doctors, stating that recruits are mentally and physically healthy to carry out the responsibilities entrusted to them. We often say children are butterflies, cherubs and flowers; yet when we hear and read such incidents, the reality seems different. It puts one in utter confusion and anxiety about human nature.

From Mr Sunny Joseph

Mala, India

India’s politicians at work

Vice President of the Congress party Rahul Gandhi, caught the media’s attention all over India in equal measure as his mysterious disappearance went on for a couple of months (‘Rahul Gandhi returns after two-month sabbatical’, Gulf News, April 17). While it is not officially known where he had travelled, rumours are going around that he went to Thailand to meditate and get rejuvenated. Only time will tell what transformation this sabbatical will bring.

In other news, an event that has been dominating headlines for the past couple of weeks is that of Modi’s visit to France, Germany and Canada. The reception accorded not only reiterates his increasing popularity, but also raises the hopes of millions of Indians across the globe that India has now got a prime minister and a government that really works for the development of country.

The Congress party’s objection to Modi’s statement that he’s moving from ‘scam India’ to ‘skill India’ remarks while addressing a gathering of Indians in Canada was amusing. It is a statement of truth and the truth will always be a bitter pill to swallow.

From Mr Ganeshan Srinivasan

UAE

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