Pakistani situation

Pakistan’s political situation is deteriorating day by day. Right from the beginning there has been improper planning and a refusal to accept ground realities. Take the case of education. Not enough schools were opened in the country. Consequently religious schools were established by the thousands. People sent their children to religious schools where they were fed and clothed free of cost. Now we are paying the price. We all know who created the Taleban. Politicians should learn lessons from the past and map out a meaningful strategy to deal with the current unrest in the country. The people of Pakistan want peace and security.

Abdullah Rahman, Jeddah 21 July 2008

Sports link

I often visit your website and, although not interested in football, recently clicked on your “Sports” link. You need to check it because I think showing the results from 2004 isn’t much use to anyone except a historian.

Richard Kent, Riyadh published 21 July 2008

Islamic penal code

I welcome Indian Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan’s views on the Islamic penal code. Addressing a workshop on “Growing Crimes — Deterrent Punishment: Search for Appropriate Theory of Punishment”, organized by the organization of retired judges and a prestigious law university, National Academy of Legal Education and Research (NALSAR) at the Andhra Pradesh High Court recently, he said the Islamic penal code was effective in deterring criminal offenders. The chief justice specifically gave the example of Gulf countries. “People say the laws in those countries are harsh but it is a fact that because of the harsh punishments, the crime rate in those countries is very low,” he said. Women can move around even at midnight without any fear. Even traffic rules are so strict that there are very few traffic accidents in those countries, the justice said.

As a citizen of India, I would request the CJI to advise our government to incorporate elements of the Islamic penal code into the Indian criminal laws to bring down the crime rate in our country. How come CJI’s remarks were not reported in the national press? Is it because he praised the Islamic penal code? How sad our mainstream media is so biased that they don’t want anyone praising the beauty of Islam.

Saif Ul Islam Farooqui, Riyadh published 21 July 2008

Trash in Jeddah

I am responding to two letters complaining about littering in Jeddah (July 11 and July 15).

As a new resident, I am appalled to see the amounts of trash littering this otherwise beautiful city. I cannot believe the amounts of trash left behind on the beach along the Corniche by families who are enjoying an evening out with picnics and festivities. They should be appreciative of the facilities (including trash cans) that are provided at no cost to them. And what do they do in response? They discard every bit of unwanted trash wherever they please. Trash can be seen floating in the water, scattered along the beach, on the roadside and even in the traffic medians! This is not limited to the Corniche and Jeddah. I live in a resort area where people can rent a beach house. After families have left from their “holiday” here, it looks like a trash-storm has blown in and been left behind, right down to the dirty Kleenexes all over the beach. And just take a ride on the Madinah Expressway outside of Jeddah. There are actually pieces of old cars and even boats scattered among the numerous trash in the desert. Where is one’s sense of responsibility? And what’s more, don’t people care about the environment around here? They are polluting the only land and waterways they will ever know as Saudi Arabia, with long-term effects they apparently pay no attention to.

Which brings me to my second point. Where are the recycling centers for plastics, glass, newspaper, cardboard, aluminum and other recyclable items? People need to start taking responsibility for, and more importantly held responsible for — their trashy actions.

Lynda Baassiri, Jeddah published 21 July 2008

Ahmed Faraz

I learned with deep sadness of the death in the US of Ahmed Faraz, one of the greatest Urdu poets. He was 76.

An online news agency had earlier said that Faraz was undergoing treatment at a Chicago hospital after he fainted in Washington at a convention. He was truly a legendary poet, and will always be missed. Our condolences go to his family.

Madiha Zaheer, Jeddah published 21 July 2008

Dialogue and coexistence

If Muslims and their leaders wish to engage with Judaism in any meaningful way, they will have to speak with Israeli religious Jews, and acknowledge not only their Jewishness but also their Israeliness.

Rabbi Noah Bickart, Tel Aviv published 21 July 2008

Moroccan twins

Five days after their separation surgery, the Moroccan twins Safa and Marwa are now breathing on their own, asking for food and responding to their parents, according to a report you published on July 18. That they show vital signs of progress is truly amazing, isn’t it?

Betty Wiggins, United States published 21 July 2008

Indo-US nuclear deal

The Indo-US nuclear deal is the best thing that is ever going to happen to India. One of the world’s fastest growing economies, India needs power. And this is the way. So grab it. We should go by hard calculations, not by cheap sentiments.

Aslam, Riyadh published 21 July 2008

Israel and Arabs

This refers to the article, “Justice only for Darfur victims?” by Aijaz Zaka Syed (July 18). Your entire argument rests on casting, for example, the Israelis as having stolen their country from Arabs.

The Jews have an internationally acknowledged right of national self— determination in the country that they inhabited for over 6,000 yearsThe root of the Arab problem with the world is the attempt to argue that Israel is any less legitimate than all of the Arab states.

However, any state that denies Israel’s sovereignty also denies its own. Sovereignty is strictly reciprocal. Sudan and other countries that act outside their own borders and abuse international systems of sovereignty cannot expect to maintain complete control of their internal matters. Any country or regime that abuses the right of national self-determination within their territory, can also expect increasing intervention from the democracies. And so they should.

Zen, United States published 21 July 2008

Stereotyping

I think most of the Arab world, including the Kingdom, is guilty of racial discrimination and stereotyping.

The media unfortunately are taking an active part in cultivating this behavior. One example is the latest Aljawal commercial where an Indian is seen speaking in Hindi and nodding his head. How many Indians have Aljawal people met who nod their heads?

Akbar, Jeddah published 21 July 2008

McCain and Iranians

John McCain wants to kill Iranians with cigarettes. Of course he said it jokingly. As a US pilot McCain was conducting bombing runs killing people in Vietnam before he was shot down and taken a prisoner. This was no joke, I suppose.

Mansoor Ali Khan, Madinah published 21 July 2008