Driving in Jeddah

Driving in Jeddah is not easy as in other Gulf cities. Drivers are rude and no consideration is shown to other drivers. They overtake vehicles ignoring all traffic rules. If you are on the left track in moderate speed, vehicles on your rear flash their lights, sound horns and abuse you if you don’t move to the other lane. It looks as though you can only drive the way others want you to.

Roundabouts pose another problem. I don’t see any driver following the right of way policy there. As per rule and safety, a driver must yield the right of way to the vehicle inside the roundabout. Rules are either violated or most of the drivers have no idea of what they should do in a roundabout.

Traffic police have to watch what is going on the roads. It would be a good idea to launch a traffic awareness program through media.

V.P. Rasheed Kaipuram, Jeddah published 12 September 2009

Fayyad’s statehood plan

This is in response to Ziad J. Asali’s article, “Fayyad’s statehood plan” (Sept. 10).

Everything sounds great; however, the radical elements within Palestinian society will do everything in their power to disrupt and destroy this plan.

All Palestinians must be on board or else it is destined to fail. Do not expect assistance from the Israelis, because the level of trust is nonexistent at the moment.

Good luck!

Richard Bruce, New Jersey published 12 September 2009

Mobile menace

This is in response to your report, “Mobile phone menace in holy place” (Sept. 11).

In Makkah and Madinah, people should be encouraged to leave their mobiles at their hotels or in car or with car parking attendants.

There should be an office in both holy cities where people can leave their mobile phones before entering the mosque. They should be asked to pay SR10 to SR20 for safekeeping the phone; this will discourage people taking their phone with them when they visit Kaaba or the Prophet’s Mosque.

The rules should apply to all — Saudis and non-Saudis and men and women. Anyone caught sneaking in phone has to pay a heavy fine.

One good step will lead to another.

Saleem Shah, Toronto, Canada published 12 September 2009

Mobile menace 2

The cell phones are definitely a menace for pilgrims as well as worshippers. Authorities at all holy places need to install cell phone signal blockers used by many companies during major conventions and meetings.

Farooq, By e-mail published 12 September 2009

Dance of death

Every one is aware of the macabre dance of death and destruction going on in Gaza and the occupied territories. Israeli troops have killed many innocent civilians including women and children. This has instilled terror in the hearts of women and children. The case should be taken up with the International Court of Justice at The Hague, the guilty should be punished and suitable compensation provided to the victims.

Mohammed Sadullah Khan, Riyadh published 12 September 2009

Ram Rajya

M.J. Akbar in his latest column “The wisdom of dharma” (Sept. 6) rightly points out that Gandhi’s concept of Ram Rajya was not a Hindu Rajya. It was “Sarwa Dharma Sambhav” (respect for all faiths). He visualized a state where all faiths have equal rights. Gandhi was religious but truly secular. For him the word Allah and Ishwar both denoted one God, The Almighty.

It is our political parties who misused the concept of Gandhi’s Ram Rajya. Congress party, ever since the partition of India, has been exploiting the fear psychosis of Indian Muslims by telling them that in the Ram Rajya of BJP/VHP, minorities will be treated as second-class citizens. BJP/VHP also by their actions strengthened this impression.

It was the Indian people who made India a secular state and kept Gandhi’s spirit alive.

Saad Hassan, New Delhi published 12 September 2009

Boycotting Israel

This is regarding the article, “The case for boycotting Israel” by Alan Sabrosky (Sept. 10). While non-Muslims are doing so much for Palestine and Gaza, the reaction from the Arab world has been frustrating. What prevents them from imposing a one-day oil embargo in solidarity with Palestinians?

Mohamed Zarook, By e-mail published 12 September 2009

Dubai metro

This refers to the report, “Dubai’s driverless metro makes room for VIPs” (Sept. 10).

Dubai has become the most developed city in the world. It is one of the best places to live in. In these days of “global warming” Dubai is leading in providing cheap, fast and environment-friendly transportation system which will reduce the pollution and congestion in cities.

How regrettable that here in the Kingdom we don’t even have a regular bus service. People are forced to buy cars, thereby adding to the congestion on the roads. It’s high time the authorities found a solution by providing a mass rapid transport system to discourage the public’s dependence on cars.

Mohammed Ali, By e-mail published 12 September 2009

The tale of a barber

This is in response to the report, “First’ Saudi barber quits” (Sept. 8).

In the modern world no vocation can be successful without learning principles of marketing and local culture and mindset. I am sure this Saudi gentleman did not optimally utilize his resources. Why didn’t he employ female hairdressers and make it a ladies hair salon?

I hope his experience will not discourage other potential Saudi barbers/hair dressers.

Dr. Shabir Karim, By e-mail published 12 September 2009

The tale of a barber 2

I do not understand why. I go to a barber who is Indian. He earns at least SR2,000 (more most of the time) after giving his Saudi sponsor about SR3,500. And he runs an old-fashioned barber shop.

Raj, By e-mail published 12 September 2009

Libya and compensation

This is regarding the report, “Libya rules out payments to IRA victims’ families” (Sept. 8). Libya did the right thing.

If it is OK in the eyes of the International Court of Justice for the families of the victims of IRA to claim compensation from Libya, then Palestinians should claim compensation from the US, as the weapons with which Israel slaughters Palestinian civilians on a daily basis are supplied by the US.

And this has been going on for the last 60 years.

Noroudeen Jiwanjee, By e-mail 12 September 2009