‘Set’ to Continue

Siraj Wahab’s May 15 report had an inspiring headline: “OIC Set to Approve the Charter.”

“Wow,” I said, “fighting words.” From the way it was phrased, it was clear that there were enemies of Islam lurking in every dark corner of the conference hall in Islamabad trying every dirty trick to prevent the OIC from approving the charter. But the Muslim world, all 57 foreign ministers of them, were determined to approve it, come hell or high water. That made me proud.

Then came, on May 18, the second report, “No OIC consensus on New Charter.” That made me proud again. We, heirs to an ancient civilization that led the world in science, arts, universities and empires, are not going to change our ways just because some upstarts expect us to. For over a thousand years, we have refused to agree on anything. Why should we start now, just because others agree on things? “Why can’t you agree when the EU, NATO and so many others can?” did you ask? Well, that explains it. They have agreed on many things in the past and taken and implemented many decisions, haven’t they? But have we? Have we done any single thing, taken any single decision, even while our people were being killed by ourselves or others, or our nations were being invaded by ourselves or others? No sir. But that does not mean that we have not acted. We have passed resolutions and issued ultimatums. We have condemned, appealed and warned. We did all those things without a charter. We can continue to do them without a charter. In fact, we are “set” to continue.

Abdul Wahid, Dubai published 21 May 2007

Istimara

Badea Abu Al-Naja’s story “Change of Law Costs Entrepreneur Millions” (May 15) reported the natural result of bureaucrats framing rules without studying their impact when implemented.

Actually, the problem is the rules about the istimara (ownership) of the car in the Kingdom. I have a car rental business in Dubai and have all my cars on lease. In Dubai, whether you purchase cars on installment or on lease, the ownership will be in the name of the purchaser. But there is a column that states that the car belongs to the bank. It means that one cannot sell the car unless the bank releases it after getting all its money. If the traffic department in Saudi Arabia introduces one more column in the istimara, then the problems of the purchaser and the bank will be solved — and also those of the car rental owner.

Mujtaba Siddiqui, Dubai published 21 May 2007

Virtue Commission

This refers to the report “Virtue Commission Members Get Computer Training” (May 16). With all due respect to the commission’, I think instead of computer lessons, the commission members should get a course in basic Islamic behavior — knowledge most of them seem lack. It is ironic that these people who many might look up to as living examples of true Islamic attitudes, manners of speech, behavior, fairness, wisdom and common sense are becoming examples of rudeness, lack of common sense, lack of respect, injustice etc.

There are many dawa centers in the Kingdom which give lessons on Hadith and the teachings of the Qur’an. Maybe some of the members should be enrolled there. Wouldn’t it be nice if, besides the ability to recite the Qur’an, one could also actually “live it” in their lives?

Yusuf Germino, Jeddah published 21 May 2007

Virtue Commission [2]

When I saw the report “Virtue Commission Members Get Computer Training” (May 16) I thought, “Wow, maybe the commission is really going to do something about the abuse by the commission members of their driving and parking privileges!” I thought that the members had completed some sort of “computer driving course” because, after all, ICDL stands for “International Certified Driving License”. Then I discovered that, as usual, instead of addressing a real problem like how to park in the parking lot (between the lines and not on the sidewalk), understanding that a red light means “Stop!” (not slowing down and driving on the sidewalk so as to pass the cars that have stopped), or looking at the road (not at what is going on in the car next to yours or making a call while driving). I read they had completed a course on how to use a computer. Again the “reality of the ridiculous” defeats common sense.

Anna Bazzi, Jeddah published 21 May 2007

Home Tutoring

The article “Home Tutoring: Necessity or Luxury?” by Abdul Malik Al-Jandal (Local Press, May 12) highlighted an issue of real concern to all, not only to Saudi students and parents. In the case of Indians, the disease of private tutoring was not a problem until a few years ago. But now it has spread to all sections and groups of the community and to all schools — international Indian schools and others. Abdul Malik gave an accurate description of how private tuition affects the classroom environment. Imagine the environment in which 50 to 60 percent of students (in some cases 90 percent) are taking private tuition from the same teacher after school hours. Such students are not in the least bothered about paying attention to the teacher. They know that they will receive coaching after school. The teacher himself is not unhappy about the situation because he is only going through the motions of teaching, not applying his heart to the job.

School management must tackle the issue with a strong hand and must monitor teachers, especially subject teachers, by taking feedback from the classes. They are paid to deliver what they have been engaged for, and should concentrate fully in the classroom and should be held responsible for an average performance of their students.

We, parents of IIS, Dammam, earlier raised this issue many times with the managing committee as well as with the principal and the patron. Nothing has been done so far. The rumor now is that the principal himself is joining hands with these groups. We were happy to see when the higher-ups noted the seriousness of the issue in another International Indian School. The impact was instant. When the authorities act with determination, there are immediate results. But when they sleep, the situation worsens day by day.

Mohammed Azmathulla Shareef, Riyadh published 21 May 2007

Veterinary Care

This is in response to Molouk Y. Ba-Isa’s report “God Help These Animals, No Vet Will” (May 18) It is deeply disturbing to note that no veterinary care is available in our region. I have had my cat for 12 years and it is vital that she receives her yearly vaccinations in order that she remains healthy. Surely in any society veterinary care is a necessity. Our four-legged friends deserve the same care and attention that we humans have come to expect.

May McElwaine, Alkhobar published 21 May 2007

Pleasing the Enemy

We are extremely saddened to see what is going on in Gaza. They are called “security forces” and are supposed to provide safety and security to ordinary Palestinian people. But these trigger-happy forces have become a shame for the Palestinian people and a laughing matter for their enemies. All efforts made by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to create unity among the Palestinian people and to form a unity government seem to have gone in vain. It is well-said that one can take a horse to water but cannot make it drink. The parties to the conflict should realize that what they are doing is real madness. The Palestinians in Gaza would be better off without these lunatic security forces.

S.H. Moulana, Riyadh published 21 May 2007

Targeted Killings

The killing of Syed Hammad Raza, additional registrar at Pakistan’s Supreme Court and key witness in the case of suspended Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, was no case of “robbery” as the police tried to explain it away. You don’t need to be a genius to guess that it was a targeted killing. It is incomprehensible how police officials are naïve enough to call it a robbery. The presence of the police in Raza’s home, as suggested by his wife, and of a police van near the house indicates the real party involved in the case. That was a killing done by professionals and backed by people with resources and power. The killers will never be caught. It is a pity; but that is the truth.

Tahir Hussain, Jeddah published 21 May 2007