Letters: 25, June 2010

Stressing purity

Being a Muslim, I have learnt that there is quite a distance kept between men and women in any relationship they are a part of; either as mothers, sisters or wives ("Saudi women use fatwa in driving bid", Gulf News, June 20). Islam stresses purity in relationships. The Quran has distinctly clarified various issues, but to find ways out of the Quran and Sunnah [practices of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)] is what is taking all of us Muslims to a devastating end and will only make people laugh at us and not give respect to Islam as a pure and authentic religion.

 From Mr Mohammad Farhan Dubai

Taken the wrong way

The fatwa and the driving issue in Saudi Arabia do not make sense to me. A woman can drive a car alone, with her children or husband in case of emergencies. I do not understand the fatwa. We have to look at Islam carefully and have to understand the teachings of our Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

From Mr Kadiri Mohammad Azhar, Dubai

Let’s dispel doubt

This is what happens when you do not understand the religion — one person’s ignorance leads to many more going further away from logic and truth. I personally disagree with the fatwa as well as the driving ban on women in Saudi Arabia. But just like the fatwa made me squirm, these words by the women disturb me, especially the slogan. We need to rediscover our religion, the Quran is unchanged and we have preserved the teachings of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) well. Let us enlighten ourselves, instead of falling deeper into the darkness of ignorance. With such actions Muslims are just digging themselves into a deeper hole.

From Ms Ameenah Farah, Dubai

Don’t let stress slow you

A few days ago I was near Al Maktoum Bridge going towards Floating Bridge at 5pm. When the signal turned green, cars in my lane were not moving with several motorists changing lanes simultaneously. I realised that a car that had called a halt was the reason. There was nothing wrong with the car, but the driver inside did not move. I saw a person parking in front of him to see what the issue was. The driver inside had fallen asleep. Although all this seemed quite funny at the time, it shows what stress can do to a person. People generally know when they are very tired. Instead of pushing yourself to the limit, one should take a short break — park the car and take a nap. With summer already here one gets exhausted easily. I urge everyone to take care and protect themselves from the heat and drink lots of water.

From Ms Vandita Kumar, UAE

TV charges spoil the fun

The Fifa World Cup 2010 is under way and seems to have captured everybody’s imagination. It is just like any other sport with a big following. All such tournaments are eventually about making money. I want to point out that nowadays, television channels in particular, have made charges so prohibitive that its out of reach for the less privileged to follow sports events, which means that those who cannot afford to pay cannot enjoy these global events, for which the media already earns a lot from advertising. With the global economic crisis, many people have very little to spend on their enjoyment. The exorbitant costs by the television channels and electronic media have taken out the slightest possibility of enjoyment for these people. Isn’t it against human rights?

From Mr Aizaz Ali Othmani, UAE

The hottest summer

I think this summer is much hotter than any other summer that the UAE has faced (“Heatwave no cause for panic”, Gulf News, June 22). I work in a refinery and the heat is unbearable at noon. Ramadan is also coming soon and the conditions will be even worse because we would dehydrate quickly from the heat. I think it would be best if the concerned authorities change our working hours from 5am until 11am instead of from 7am to 1pm during Ramadan.

From Mr Sultan, Abu Dhabi (Full name withheld by request)