Letters: March 21, 2011

Root of the problem
When a society is open to diverse ideas and views and the young people are given opportunities to flourish, nobody will subscribe to religious fundamentalism and terrorism, which I think are meant for people with mental depression or suicidal mania. I also think that angry and cynical old men are behind all this. However, the brainwashed youth are employed as tools to kill or be killed. Fundamentalism suffers from methodological and philosophical problems. It is based on fear, anger and revenge. It aims at creating fear in masses and it tries to diminish the empowerment of people, especially women. That is why I think it had no role in the current revolutions in the Arab world, as women and youth played a very important role.
Mr Raju Mathew
Al Ain

Fight for true democracy
I find it very disturbing that our youths are not so concerned about what is right and wrong ("Arab youth long for democratic reforms", Gulf News, March 16). I believe that the need for democracy, inequality, the gap between the rich and the poor and the increasing cost of living are important issues and I appreciate their awareness and concerns about them.

However, issues like parents, society and faith seem to be lost behind the desire to have material things. Apart from democracy, it seems that they show more concern about working in the private sector or having businesses. I believe that democracy has less to do with commerce and economics and more about doing the right thing and being free.

What I mean by free is not doing as one desires — real freedom is the willingness to sacrifice our own rights in respect for other's rights.
Mr Mahdi Raza
Dubai

All the best
The past few weeks I have been following the reports on what is happening around the Arab world. I sympathise with the people, especially the young generation, and their great desire for change and democracy. I strongly wish them all the best and I hope they achieve their goals. No more bloodshed, no more oppression. It is great to get information from Gulf News and other newspapers in the Middle East and not only from our newspapers in Germany. It brings in various angles.
From Mr Günther Pohlmann 
Germany

Stop
I think one key factor in road safety should be educating drivers to stop at pedestrian crossings, instead of honking and flashing at the pedestrians ("RTA campaign focuses on safety of pupils", Gulf News, March 16).

These areas are there for exactly that purpose — for people to cross roads safely. But with some of the ignorant driving behaviour in the UAE you rarely see such things. The rule here is clear — you need to stop. Also, speed limits in residential areas need to be monitored and violators should be stopped on the spot.

I don't think there is any use of issuing heavy fines, the best way is to confiscate their cars on the spot. This will hopefully make them start thinking about their behaviour on the road.
From Mr Tom
Dubai
Full name withheld by request

Colourful idea
I have observed on different occasions people waving at vacant taxis but they do not stop. I do not think that the taxi drivers are rude but it is more about how the system works.

I request all the transportation departments around the UAE to put a system in place. If the taxi driver is not able to pick up a passenger then a blue light could be turned on to indicate that the taxi is out of service. So, at any point in time, there will be three coloured lights: yellow for vacant, red for engaged and blue for out of service.

Taxi drivers could turn on the blue light when they are on a break, or going for prayers, or heading back to their workshop. This way people will not have to wave their hands at every taxi, as they would know that the out of service light is on.

This will also be a very useful tool to check how many hours a day the taxi driver was not available for customers. If any person complains about a taxi not stopping for them then the taxi's headquarters could check the system and take corrective action.
From Mr Jeyapandian E. Antony
UAE

Who are minnows now?
The International Cricket Council (ICC) needs to reconsider its thoughtless statement of keeping the minnows out of the World Cup.

These associate countries have destroyed many giants. Minnows have done well and I think will continue to improve. The England team may be minnows in the next World Cup. Kenya put up a good fight against World Cup champions Australia. I hope these teams will rise and prove the ICC wrong.
From Mr Kanwar Hayat
Dubai