Marriages Unlimited [2]

As an Arab woman who lived in Saudi Arabia for over 30 years (now I live and work in North America), I can see that only wonderful voices like that of Ms. Mody Al-Khalaf can change Saudi Arabia and the entire Arab world for the better. Her article is really a piece of powerful satire against all the hypocrites who are trying to bend Islam to fit their desires. But how many newspapers or TV channels in the Arab world would hire voices like Al-Khalaf’s? I think very few.

Lamia Mahmoud Hassan, United States published 18 May 2006

Marriages Unlimited [3]

I’d like to thank Ms. Al-Khalaf for spelling out the different types of marriages and for her views on how they disadvantage Saudi women. I look forward to reading more about the issue. I always enjoy reading Al-Khalaf’s pieces in the Arab News.

John Burgess, Saudi Arabia published 18 May 2006

Marriages Unlimited [4]

Ms. Mody Al-Khalaf’s article is quite interesting. However, it would have been better if the issue of marriage of GCC citizens to non-citizens were addressed comprehensively. As a Canadian citizen and a Muslim, I find it unfortunate that the laws within GCC do not permit a non-citizen man to marry a GCC Muslim woman. Perhaps a change of laws would improve and preserve the noble institution of marriage by reducing the alarmingly high rates of divorces and other inequities.

Kasim Mohamed, Riyadh published 18 May 2006

Marriages Unlimited [5]

I feel disgusted by the concept of contractual marriages. Where are we heading with these kinds of special offers? What image will this leave on other religions that already take every opportunity for a shot at Islam? How is it different from the Western concept of living together?

Aamir Nadeem, Taif published 18 May 2006

Smokers in Kingdom

I read in your newspaper that six million smokers in Kingdom puff out SR30m a day (May 13). In America, taxes on cigarettes make them cost anywhere from SR15 to SR25 per pack. Saudi Arabia could do the same, and place the tax money into a health care fund so that persistent smokers at least contribute to the cost of their care when they fall ill.

Susan V. Sentz, United States published 18 May 2006

Requiem for an Empire

Fazal Munir is right (May 13) when he says that I am politically incorrect. I prefer facts to fiction. He is also right in stating that I am an unreconstructed imperialist — I am unashamedly so. Munir is nothing but a Western hater who uses manufactured myths and historical half-truths to justify Third World sponging off Western nations. So yes, I am an “unreconstructed imperialist” as the British Empire was based upon honesty and integrity and thus kept native people in their place.

Munir’s myths continue. I have never stated that Clive and Hastings were out to spread nothing but love and mercy to the Indians. Can’t Munir read accurately? Clive and Hastings were essentially engaged in commerce and administration in the subcontinent through the East India Company. This commerce benefited the princes of the various Indian states as much as the “nabobs” of the EIC. Such was the princes’ gratitude to Clive in fending off French designs in India that they gave him very expensive presents in the form of jewels and objects. Warren Hastings was accused of, and tried for, various misdemeanors in India. How many Third World tyrants are tried for their pillaging and thieving nowadays? Audited accounts are not used to prove a nationality. I don’t think Munir knows what they are. For his information, I am a Scotsman and not an Englishman, but I prefer to think of myself as British.

How did a small island nation come to rule the greatest empire the world has ever known and keep native people firmly in their place and stop them from abusing their own kind? It was by honesty, ethics, hard work, morality and integrity — and, no doubt, a well planted smack when need the arose.

Francis A. Andrew, Jordan published 18 May 2006

Shopping Mall Romeos

This is regarding Lubna Hussain’s article,” We Don’t Always Practice What We Preach” (May 12). What Lubna describes is a scene most of us encounter every day. The young guy she met might do the same to his own sister or mother after he dropped them at a shopping mall if they happened to be veiled, wouldn’t he? There are religious police roaming during prayer time and ordering people to pray. Where were they while someone harassed a woman in front of her daughter?

Salman, Riyadh published 18 May 2006

Peace in Middle East

This refers to the report, “Seize the Moment for Peace in ME, Says Prince Turki” (May 13). Great words of wisdom from Prince Turki. The proposals in King Abdullah’s peace plan are the most realistic and workable to end a seemingly hopeless situation. Israel, with the tacit approval of the US and some other Western nations, has consistently flouted UN resolutions and peace initiatives for the last 40 years and by its actions and reactions has turned the whole region into a violent quagmire. Israel is delaying a settlement, with full US support, until it completes the construction of its dividing wall and grabs as much Palestinian territory as possible. After the infamous Berlin Wall, Israel will now become the first country in the world to be separated from its neighbors by a concrete wall that is even higher than the Berlin Wall. This is how Israel sees itself living in peaceful coexistence with its neighbors.

Iqbal Paul, Riyadh published 18 May 2006

Friday Preachers

I read the comment, “Friday Preachers, Why Do You Ignore Reality?” (May 8). If the Muslim world wants to figure out why all the negative press and views of it from the Western world continue to grow, look no further than the contents of this article. During my stay in Riyadh I was invited to a lecture by a renowned Muslim lecturer and preacher. Figuring this to be a chance to hear about Islam firsthand, I accepted. Imagine my surprise to hear the lecturer launch off into a volatile diatribe against the West and Western ideals. As the temperature of the crowd increased with the temperature of the diatribe, I hastily decided that it was time to cut the lecture and depart (I was the only Westerner attending). If this is an example of what is being preached on a regular basis, look no further to find out the root cause of the Muslim PR problem with the rest of the world.

Curtis Gwin, United States published 18 May 2006

Muslims and the West

This refers to Essa bin Mohammed Al-Zedjali’s article, “The Fault Lies With Us, Not the West” (May 13).

I live in the US, born and raised Catholic. Growing up in the US, I never really knew about Islam until I was an adult. Even then, what I thought was Islam was the racist religion black men and women called “The Nation of Islam.” Then came Sept. 11, and I was exposed to the “terrorist” Muslims. I did not know what to think about Muslims. Everything that I was ever exposed to about Islam was negative and scary.

I wanted to know the truth about Islam, so I gathered up all the information I could find on the Internet, bought the Qur’an and other Islamic books and got the truth! Islam opened my eyes, and now all I find myself doing is wanting to learn more and more about the truth! Recently, I decided that I want to say my Shahada. There are so many people in the US who have no idea what Islam is. They only see the negative images the TV and news present. I think having an Islamic TV station would let American people see the truth. I do not think it is your fault that people have a negative view. If people want to find out what Islam is really about, all they need to do is read. Never blame yourselves for others’ stupidity! I love you all.

Jessica McCabe, United States published 18 May 2006

Muslims and the West [2]

Actions speak louder than words, my friend. Better save your futile English language propaganda money and send it to Hamas — you guys should for once put your money where your mouth is. I am sick and tired of hearing the lazy drone: The West hates Arabs, the West hates Islam. One final point: Mosques/Muslims/Arabs exist freely in the hated West. Does that freedom to live and worship also exist in Muslim countries?

Ubosa, United States published 18 May 2006

Marriages Unlimited

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Mody Al-Khalaf’s article “Marriages Unlimited” (May 12) that shed light on the negative repercussions on society of such “marriages of convenience”. It disturbs me greatly that instead of progressing and recognizing women as equals, our religious scholars are further demeaning their status. I find the hypocrisy shocking. Why are so many women in this country complicit in these attempts to suppress and marginalize them? Why hasn’t there been a women’s movement in Saudi Arabia? I am an Indian Muslim and though there are cases of abuse of women in my country, we have a democratic and legal framework that protects us. There are also many organizations created by women for women who work to help women. It seems a majority of women in this country would rather shop for Chanel and Dior than think about their own status. I have also found that even those Saudi men who have studied abroad and consider themselves “liberal” are backward and almost primitive in their thinking when it comes to women. Although we can’t change the way people think overnight, we can at least prevent the legalization of “misyar” marriages. I am afraid that by sanctioning such marriages some of our scholars are making a mockery of our faith.

Uzma Siddiqui, Jeddah published 18 May 2006