Making Poverty History

In his letter “Pipe Dream”(July 16), Francis Andrew called the “Make Poverty History” campaign a “...naive and meaningless sentiment”. He then commented, “As for Live 8 and all that, I personally wouldn’t contribute a brass farthing in that direction...” and also goes on to criticize “Geldof and others of his type....”

Firstly, extreme poverty affects 20 percent of the world’s population and results in over 30,000 children dying of preventable causes every day. It has been called by the Commission for Africa as “the greatest tragedy of our time”. Sir Bob Geldof has been instrumental in organizing the “Make Poverty History” campaign, the stunning worldwide Live 8 concerts to raise awareness and has tirelessly lobbied the G-8 leaders on a number of issues to try and alleviate this suffering. He called for increased aid but with accountability — African leaders need to root out corruption and promote good governance in order to receive this. He campaigned for primary school funding and health care (especially AIDS drugs) and for an end to appalling trade protectionism and for new rules to make trade fairer and the cancellation of debt for poorer states. His valiant actions recently resulted in the G-8 leaders agreeing to boost aid for developing countries by $50 billion and the debt cancellation of the 18 poorest nations in Africa. Hardly “naive and meaningless” actions. It is right and just he has been nominated for the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize.

As for Andrew’s last point, when “Geldof and others of his type...next start... causing havoc in some Western capitals, the police should turn the water canons on them; it will be the only bath they will have had all year”. While this maybe harsh, I agree Sir Bob isn’t the most smartly dressed character. Perhaps Andrew should take heed of the words of Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Adam Peters, Beirut, Lebanon published 27 July 2005

Imams Against Driving [2]

Let women vote and say if they want to drive. Are they not able to think for themselves? Why is this assumption that men alone can decide what is good for women? We will never progress and will remain in a time warp till this form of persecution ends. We need to change with time. To imprison women at home is to prevent the growth of one half of Saudi society. The more mobility they have, the more entrepreneurial these ladies will become. Women’s mobility has nothing to do with goodness or virtue. That will depend on their education and upbringing, not on whether they are inside the house or outside. The “imams and academics” must realize that this is another form of persecution that goes against the very tenets of Islam and freedom. Muslim history speaks of noble women who fought wars riding horses — and today we are afraid of women in cars. Who is afraid of whom?

My daughter drives and my sisters drive. So do my sisters-in-law, my aunts and my friends’ wives. Let me assure the “imams and academics” that their “morals” have not been sullied. So long as men with primitive minds who cannot understand the changing world continue to decide for them, Saudi women have no future. Sheikhs, wake up and give Muslims a good name.

Mohammad Zafar Iqbal, Surrey, United Kingdom published 27 July 2005

Imams Against Driving [3]

Saudi women drive when they are outside Saudi Arabia, don’t they? It should be left to individuals to decide if they should obtain a license to drive in their own country. This tendency to control others’ lives is unhealthy. When there are too many laws that dictate how people should live their own lives, it goes against the spirit of the Qur’an which has, unlike previous scriptures, very few laws. It should be left to individuals to decide on issues on which Islam’s rules leave scope for interpretations. Everyone should be given a chance to earn his or her own hell or heaven. Saudi Arabia cannot exist in Isolation. The dish, cell phone and McDonald’s have arrived, haven’t they?

Masood Al-Hameed, Jeddah published 27 July 2005

Power-Hungry Fascists

This refers to the report “Shoura OKs Anti-Terror GCC Pact” (July 18). It is obvious that certain Muslim clerics who preach hate toward all non-Muslims will never be satisfied until they brainwash the youth into sacrificing a whole generation of young people to serve their ambition to make the whole world and all governments under clerical control. It is too bad that a whole generation of young people are falling into this bottomless pit and doing nothing with their lives for the future here on earth. This will only add to the misery that they endure today. I do not understand how they can abandon their own children as the bombers in London, who left behind little children, did. Why do these people have a problem facing daily responsibilities? Surely this is not the teaching of the Qur’an. It is the teaching of power-hungry fascists. Hitler did the same thing with the Hitler Youth groups that were formed with children to promote the Nazi cause.

John Armesto, United States published 27 July 2005

Greed Is the Root

This is in response to Hassan Yassin’s excellent article “Pulling Up Terrorism by Roots” (July 18). Isn’t it ironic that the Bush administrations’ reasons for going to war with Iraq were, according to Wilson’s investigation, mere allegations, with no supporting evidence, that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction? Or, is the Bush government just inventing justifications for their actions?

Think of it. Who will have gained much when the war is over? America. Innocent people have been murdered in London, New York, Spain, Bali etc., because of the greed of a few for wealth and power. Have we forgotten that since time immemorial men have conquered and invaded other countries in order to have full control of their land and resources, disguising their real intentions with such terms as religion, civilization, humanitarian causes and so on?

Isn’t the Bush administration guilty of the same crime? Is not this the real root of all these wars? Arabs were merely reacting to the injustices they suffered. They are defending their fundamental right to survive. If Americans were in the Arabs’ shoes, with their lands invaded, wouldn’t they react the same way? Would they be happy if somebody controlled their economy, politics, polices, government, wealth etc? Then why expect it of the Arabs? Standing aside mute, blind and deaf to these injustices, makes us accomplices to the crimes committed by the Bush government.

Amy Briones, Riyadh published 27 July 2005

Substitute for Marcos

President Gloria Arroyo has truly failed the Filipino people. When former President Joseph Estrada was booted out of office in 2001, all hoped that she would become the savior of the impoverished nation. She promised to be just that — a good president. She even swore that she would not run again in 2004. But run she did — and that caused all the troubles for the Filipinos. Almost five years after she assumed office, her promises still remain promises.

There was a time when we used to export rice and was among the top economic powers in Asia. At that time the nation was guided by a brilliant political genius — President Marcos, who was feared and respected by his peers in Asia because of the quality of his leadership. Those were the days when the military was a force of professionals; now they are playing games because they do not fear and respect the lady president.

The period immediately after Marcos declared the martial law in 1972 was the most peaceful time in the Philippine history. He abolished Senate and Congress, making big savings on taxpayers’ money. The way post-Marcos era presidents have bungled their jobs, it is crystal clear that he was the best president the Philippines ever had. It is a pity there is still no substitute for Marcos.

R. H. Butay, Buraidah published 27 July 2005

Different Viewpoints

I live in Virginia, US, and have been reading Arab News for the last three years. It gives me comfort to know more about Saudi Arabia and that there are level-headed journalists. I have learned many things from the news I have read. I do not agree with all I read but am happy that you have several viewpoints. You give me hope that we will work through our current struggles.

Dan Adkins, United States published 27 July 2005

SAPTCO Buses

Isn’t it a shame that SAPTCO, which has posted SR45.1 million in profit” as reported on July 20, is earning millions but can’t fix the “air conditioners” of their buses? Riding SAPTCO buses is a punishing experience in these hot days. This happens every summer time, year after year. Could the SAPTCO management take action on the “blowers” of their buses? It probably won’t take “a tenth” of their profits.

Abdulrahman Antonio Efondo, Riyadh published 27 July 2005

Nour Miyati

The report “Nour Miyati Transferred to Nahda Charity Home” (July 20) made painful reading. It is a very sad affair. I pray for a just settlement of the case. If she is at fault, she should be made an example for all expatriate workers in this country, so that no longer will foreign workers dare to level wrong accusations against their sponsors. And if Miyati is right and her accusations are true, the wrongdoers should similarly be made an example of so that no other sponsor will dare to do such a thing ever again. If you are not satisfied with a maid, just make her leave. Why does a situation arise where the image and system of this country gets tarnished?

Khurram Ali, Jeddah published 27 July 2005

Imams Against Driving

With all due respect to the learned sheikhs, imams and academics who issued their opinion against allowing women to drive (July 18), it really concerns me that, these days, people who wish women to drive are being labeled as enemies of Islam. Can society not engage in an open discussion without having the participants’ faith put under question?

Yes, there are enemies of Islam who try to argue that Muslim women have no rights and are downtrodden. All Muslims know that women have God-given rights. Unfortunately these rights are sometimes denied. Women are sometimes mistreated, abused and live in fear in Muslim and non-Muslim countries; but these are issues that are not connected with driving and should be addressed as such.

The argument of the group that the closing of doors leads to corruption doesn’t hold much water. Doors are still closed whether a woman is driving herself or being driven. Airplane travel will be hard if doors cannot be closed for fear of corruption.

It was good that they acknowledged the economic burden of foreign drivers to families and to the country. The usage of the car would still be by one driver — the owner of the car — the woman. But why the patronizing suggestion that women need new things? It is well-known throughout the world that men are far more obsessed with cars as status symbols than women are.

I am not surprised that no Islamic scholar or reputed figure in society has spoken up for women driving. If they do, they would surely have their faith questioned. But moderate Muslims must speak out and not be afraid of doing so for fear that they will be labeled as enemies of Islam.

Sherry Nassif, Jeddah published 27 July 2005