Letters: June 4, 2012

Lop-sided story
The media and newspapers are always showing one side of the story (‘Pakistan clerics issue death decree over wedding video: police’, Gulf News, May 29). I am from Pakistan and I can say that it is a big country. The media are talking about tribal areas whereas in big urban centres it’s normal to have mixed gatherings and celebrations. Pakistan constitutes of a population that ranges from conservative to liberal. Pakistan had a female prime minister and we have a female foreign minister.

From Mr Jawad, Abu Dhabi

They need our prayers
This is so tragic and being a mother myself I cannot imagine what the mothers of the deceased would be feeling right now (‘Nineteen killed in fire at Qatar’s Villagio Mall’, Gulf News, May 29). We pray to God to guide them and give them strength and to comfort them. I offer my heartfelt condolences.

From Ms Sal, Dubai

Heartbreaking news
This is heartbreaking news. I lived in Qatar for about four years and now I’m in India. Villagio has always been a favourite destination in Doha for its locals, expatriates and tourists. We always talk about Qatar and its safety first initiatives in everything they do, ever since it came into the limelight, globally, after it hosted the Asian Games Doha in 2006. We pray that no such event happens again. Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

From Mr Vinay Vedi, Nasik, India 

Let’s put our trust in God
May God give strength to the families who lost their loved ones. Being a father I can understand what’s going on in the victims’ families’ minds. May God save us from all disasters and accidents.

From Mr Asrar, Abu Dhabi 

Fee mania
There had been an indiscriminate increase in bus fees and it is not justifiable by the school (‘Parents feel taken for a ride by school transport providers’, Gulf News, May 29). Some schools still stick to the right fee structure but others want to charge something higher every year since they are not able to increase the tuition fees. So, they want to make money by increasing the bus fees. I believe the authorities must address this issue.

From Mr Mujeeb, Sharjah 

Schools should help
Schools should play a constructive role by providing reasonable and safe transportation to their students. This is a very important aspect in a student’s life. Parents should also be able to afford transportation so that they can educate their children. This is fundamental to the schools’ responsibility. Being concerned and doing something about it will help everyone.

From Mr Tarek Syed, Dubai 

Parents at a loss
Schools cannot absolve themselves of responsibility. I think that the schools probably have a hand in the increase and also may be receiving a portion of the income from the transportation company. Outsourced arrangements are made by the schools and not by the parents, and hence parents do not have any say in the cost or the services provided.

From A Reader, Dubai 

Sensationalising news
Why was the report’s headline labelled with the profession of the buyer (‘Desperate mum sells baby to meat seller’, Gulf News, May 23)? It could have been simply labelled as “desperate mum sells baby for Rs2,000”. This is just an attempt at sensationalism with the mention of the words ‘meat seller’ almost leading one to believe that the baby may have come to some harm. Please be careful with the headlines.

From Mr Zahid Malek,  Al Ain 

It’s not the point
When I read this headline I thought the baby was being sold as and for meat? Why the need to mention ‘meat seller’ in the headline? The story is important because a child was sold and not because of whom she was sold to.

From A Reader, Abu Dhabi

Editor’s note: The World section responded — We understand reader concern and would like to say that Gulf News practices fair and ethical journalism. We do not indulge in sensationalism. The intent was only to give more information in the headline.