Standing together
This is bringing back memories of Black July when in 1983 there were anti-Tamil pogroms in Sri Lanka (‘We live in uncertainty because we are Muslims’,’ Gulf News, June 17). My dear friends, without repeating the mistakes of the previous generation: this time we need to stand together and try our utmost to nip budding nationalist organisations, which should be called terrorist groups. Something needs to be done before it escalates to the extreme level.
I don’t need an extremist group to protect my religion. The merits of my religion are good enough to protect itself. Nobody has the right to persecute any Sri Lankan for any religious reason whatsoever. Instead of trying to pretend like it never happened, our government needs to get its head out of the sand and protect the rights of all Sri Lankans.
My dear Muslim friends - you are not alone. The majority of us do not subscribe to these terrorist notions. We will always protect our Sri Lankans. We will not let you down like the previous generation did to our Tamil brothers and sisters. These terrorists are not going to get away with it.
From Ms Iroshana
Dubai
Website comment
Against Buddhist concepts
This is completely against Buddhist concepts and more about the fundamentalist monks who are attacking with no tolerance for others. I wonder if there is government support on this because how can they burn houses while there is a curfew? I really hope this isn’t the case or else it is a shame for governance that calls itself democractic.
From Dr Rishan
London, UK
Website comment
Shame
Aren’t Buddhists supposed to be non-violent? Shame on these fundamentalists and shame on all those who don’t have the decency to condemn these acts of terrorism.
From Mr Norman
Dubai
Website comment
Rally might cause riots
The situation is very bad in Sri Lanka. Immediately after the war against the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam), Buddhist fundamentalists started to attack Muslim shops, factories, supermarkets and homes for the past two years. Furthermore, there is a threat of attacking another Muslim majority city of Mawanella.
Few days ago they started attacking other cities after the rally. Even though there is the chance of riots, we are hearing that the government has given permission to conduct the rally.
From Mr Saman
Dubai
Website comment
Protect minorities
This is a shameful act by Buddhists and it is extremely against their teachings. The heinous acts resemble that of the Gujarat riots in India, where most of the victims were Muslims. Myanmar had a similar episode, too. I hope the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa will ensure that Muslim minorities are protected from fanatics.
From Mr Mohammad Shabab
Sharjah
Torn on the subject
There is one in a hunting goods shop [USA] and I always felt so bad for him (‘Video: King Croc, Dubai Aquarium’s resident crocodile,’ Gulf News, June 17). He looked so miserable and not healthy at all. I love taking the children to the zoo, but I always feel bad for the lack of space that they have.
From Ms Lisa Castro
El Paso, USA
Not necessary
I don’t think it’s necessary to have a predator like this in a shopping mall. It doesn’t seem responsible in any part of the world, to have an animal like this on display. I feel really sorry for it. What a miserable life this animal will have never seeing outside or being in its natural habitat.
From Ms Lisa Justice
Dubai
Facebook comment
Illogical
These animals belong in the wild. Why are human beings so attached to killing, invading and other types of cruelty towards animals? We destroy forests but want a house with a green view, we kill animals but pay millions to restore their skeletons in museums and pay hundreds of dollars to pay a visit and look at it. This system confuses me because it doesn’t seem logical.
From Mr Haseeb Ahmadi
UAE
Facebook comment
Belong in the wild
I hadn’t heard about this. The question is how long people could watch a crocodile? The animal will jump, splash some water around, grab some fish and that’s all, right? These poor animals have to stay in a cage to amuse us. It would be better if we go to the wild and watch them where they belong - it is a completely different experience.
From Ms Archana Sen
UAE
Setting good example
Teaching requires a lot of patience, especially when teaching young students (‘Sharjah teacher investigated for beating pupil,’ Gulf News, June 16). As a teacher, they should be setting a good example. They shouldn’t be teaching at all if they can’t.
I salute the teachers who are teaching students because they love what they are doing and not for the sake of a salary only. I feel like nowadays, we seldom see such quality from teachers.
From Mr U. Saeed
Sharjah
Should be illegal
I think the same action should be taken when a person assaults another and causes harm. This is no different. Why should schools be a protection blanket for teachers? Even though it is banned by the ministry, corporal punishment never included punching and kicking of a student. This should be considered a criminal case and the offender should be tried in court and jailed if found guilty.
From Mr Clive
Dubai
Website comment
More training needed
It is a shame that there are teachers who have personal vendettas against 13-year-old children. This teacher should receive the necessary disciplinary action and sent to a teaching training course immediately.
From Mr Mangesh
Dubai
Website comment
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