Recruitment of health workers

This refers to the report, “6,000 health workers recruited by MOH” (Oct. 11). It is a good decision. But at the same time l would like to ask why Saudis couldn’t fill the jobs in medicine, nursing and related fields. So many Saudis go without a job even though they are graduates and postgraduates. This means they should do professional courses to improve their chances of employment.

In this connection I may also comment on another, but related, topic. You published a report saying that many Saudis are voicing their anger about unhygienic conditions at government-run health clinics in Jeddah (Oct. 12). The anger is justified. I think every clinic should have a nurse concerned only with hygiene. Also the cleaners have to be taught how to clean, and with what. They should be told not to move the dirt from one side of the room to the other. This is not a matter of how old the clinic is. Even a very old clinic can be — and must — remain clean.

Take a look at the clinics in Europe. You can learn many things from them. You will not find a single clinic in Germany without a hygiene nurse. And they do a good job.

Balqees Al-Mutawa, By-e-mail published 14 October 2009

Did Obama really deserve the Nobel peace prize?

President Obama was surprised that he was being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The Republican Party blamed Obama, not the prize committee saying that he has not done one thing to receive the award. Some say that it was just a slam at George Bush who was president just a few months ago.

It was reported that Obama’s nomination was submitted to the committee just two weeks after he was elected president. Therefore, Obama had certainly done nothing as a president to earn the reward. What a fiasco!!

It was obvious that Obama was embarrassed by the reward. He dodged some interviews. Then he gave a big speech, as expected, about what is needed for peace.

Al Gore jumped right in, to get his mug on the camera, saying that Obama deserved the award. Well, maybe Al Gore deserved the reward but Obama certainly did not. All it accomplished was making the Republicans jealous who probably thought the award should have gone to Rush Limbaugh, the radio heavyweight.

One report said the Republican comment showed they were pro-Taleban. Can anyone figure out the connection?

Anyway, everyone is mad at Obama for deciding to accept the reward and for the committee for giving it to him. One would have thought that Obama should have refused the award and not hastily decided to take off for Stockholm. He should have said that the award was baseless and certainly premature and that the world is not close to peace and probably never will be.

In fact, what he did say was that we will have nuclear weapons around through his life time! Hence, one cannot understand why the Nobel Committee was so stupid on this count. Why didn't they wait until Obama's presidency had proven out (or not)?

Well, it is fodder for the Republican Party to chew, who are doing everything they can to destroy the Obama Presidency.

Who’s next for the Nobel Peace Prize … Mickey Mouse?

Anupam Sharma published 14 October 2009

Alkhobar riots

This is in response to the report, “Youths involved in Alkhobar riots freed” (Oct. 11). I think 30 lashes were too little for their outrageous behavior. As Saudis, they should know better. As a Muslim American visiting the Kingdom, I was appalled to read the reports about their activities. Shame on these youths.

The reports about the kidnapping of a five-year-old child also made me very unhappy. Thank God, the girl escaped from his clutches. I hope the kidnapper is caught as soon as possible because children will not feel safe so long as this animal is at large. In America such people live in luxury in prisons at the expense of taxpayers money. Child molesters deserve capital punishment.

Aminah Bint Danieljones, By e-mail published 14 October 2009

Obama wins Nobel

This refers to the report, “King Abdullah congratulates Obama on winning Nobel” (Nov. 11). It is great that US President Barack Obama has won the Nobel Peace Prize. I think King Abdullah should also receive this award for his efforts toward world peace. As much as they want peace between the two countries, this is never going to happen unless we start to trust and respect each other’s cultures. But let’s face the facts of real life:

I have a friend in Saudi Arabia, and we have tried for seven years to get him to America only to have our requests denied, ridiculed and humiliated by the embassy. I have written a letter, made phone calls trying to make it possible for my friend to come to America. It seems my pleas have fallen on deaf ears. How can world peace be accomplished if we bar our doors to each other? This way we cannot share our cultures and this is exactly what terrorists want.

Susan Marx, By e-mail published 14 October 2009

Obama wins Nobel 2

I’m an American employed by a Saudi from Jeddah. I was at my boss’ house for a dinner party the other day and the subject of US President Barack Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize came up in conversation. I openly questioned how the prize could be given to Obama after he sent 21,000 troops to Afghanistan earlier this year. My boss and his guests looked bewildered and couldn’t believe what I had said. They were obviously unaware. I also informed them that during the presidential campaign last year and up until last month, Obama’s official stance on Afghanistan was that it is the “Good War” and Iraq the “Bad War” and that he would increase the American troop level in Afghanistan, if elected president. Until very recently, Obama was still calling the war in Afghanistan, “The war of necessity and one that the US cannot afford to lose” and that he would put as many soldiers and resources in Afghanistan as required to win that war.

I wonder why the news media have not adequately covered Obama’s stance on Afghanistan. If Bush had sent 21,000 more troops to Afghanistan, the news media would have been calling him a warmonger! How could Obama be given the Nobel Peace Prize? He has done nothing to deserve it.

Roger Scobey, Jeddah published 14 October 2009

India and OIC

This is in response to the article, “Time to end India’s isolation in OIC” by Abdulaziz Sager (Oct. 11). An excellent article. The views expressed in this article are based on reality. It is a pity that the Muslim Ummah, Muslim countries and scholars are not at all concerned with Indian Muslims. His concern enlightened our souls. I have been living in the Gulf, Central Asia and European countries for the last 30 years; I have always found a neighboring country and its people making all sorts of trouble for the Indian Muslim community.

Nawabzada Shajee Nawab, By e-mail published 14 October 2009

India and OIC 2

The author is right in saying that with more than 150 million Muslims, most of them part of the world’s largest democratic process, India deserves to be associated with the OIC. I am glad to learn that many OIC members are sympathetic to the idea.

V.M. Khaleelur Rahman, By e-mail published 14 October 2009

Tourism and Saudization

This is in response to the report, “Kingdom keen to develop tourism industry: Sultan” (Oct. 6).

Developing tourism in Saudi Arabia on a large scale is OK, but prior to the new projects coming up, we have to ensure that the hotel management and the service industry institutions cooperate with the government in its goal of Saudization and employ as many Saudis as possible. I mean men and women as well as girls and boys. This is the only way to bring down the rate of unemployment among the locals. Compulsory education/vocational training should also be a priority.

Dr. Sangeeta Das, By e-mail published 14 October 2009

Mitchell’s efforts

This refers to your report about George Mitchell’s efforts in the Middle East. There is no surprise that US special envoy Mitchell and Quartet special envoy Tony Blair have not succeeded in reactivating the Middle East peace process. The two-state solution is only on paper. On the ground, the reality is different. Israel has penetrated deeply into the West Bank and will never and cannot withdraw from these settlements.

By sheer procrastination and unlimited US support, Israel has partly realized the original Zionist dream of Greater Israel. The Palestinian state, if one emerges, will not be viable or contiguous. It is high time Palestinians made a paradigm shift by demanding citizenship and civil rights in a binational state. Israel has bitten off more than it can chew, resulting in the dilution of its Jewish character and identity. At the same time, Palestinians will be restricted to areas similar to the ones whites provided for blacks in South Africa. Israel intransigence is very cleverly planned.

The Israelis would like to further stoke the anger and frustrations of Palestinians leading them into violence that the Zionist-controlled media in the West will gladly portray as terrorism. Thus Israel will gain more sympathy from the Western world, and more time to change the demographic complexion of the region by whatever means available to them.

Seif Somalya, Jeddah published 14 October 2009

Hospital mix-up

This is regarding the report, “Hospital mix-up shatters Makkah woman’s life” (Oct. 11). Please keep us informed on the final outcome. I can only hope that this woman won’t be forced to leave her home and father.

Irene Wynne, By e-mail published 14 October 2009