Propaganda campaign

I’m getting really tired of the US media lying about “Russian aggression” in the Caucasus region when the fact is that Georgia started this war. I request members of the press to get the facts right and quit the propaganda campaign. The last time they supported a lie, they got us into the Iraq war. It appears that America had a hand in creating this latest war and that it is still speaking the language of war. The Republicans need a war before the November election in order to hold onto power. And since this war is evaporating, they will need another war to replace it. That war will be an Israeli strike against Iran.

Marc Perkel, United States, published 27 August 2008

Food distribution in Ramadan

I was dismayed by the report that distribution of iftar in mosques from this year on needs prior approval from ministries. With the short working hours of Ramadan, I wonder how many will be prepared to queue up in the office to obtain permission to distribute food to the needy at iftar. It is a heartening sight in the Kingdom that, during the holy month, those who observe the fast gather in every mosque to partake of some light food and for the evening prayer to follow immediately. This practice is the same all over the world. The new regulation will affect the less fortunate, who are assured of an iftar meal almost in every mosque. This practice has been going on very smoothly without causing any inconvenience to anybody and we wonder why there is a need to change the practice.

We appeal to the authorities not to deprive the poor of free iftar at this time of skyrocketing food prices. The new regulations will reduce the number of distributors of food. Some caterers who undertake orders are already confused. They do not know who should take the permission from the ministry — the caterers or the people who finance the distribution. A quick clarification from the authorities would be welcome.

S.H. Moulana, Riyadh, published 27 August 2008

Musharraf

Pervez Musharraf was the best thing to happen to Pakistan in its 62 years of existence. If not for him, the country would have ended up as another Afghanistan, with the US destroying it as it did Afghanistan. With Musharraf relinquishing his position, Pakistan will be pushed back to the Stone Age.

Praqash Muller, Kuwait, published 27 August 2008

Musharraf - 2

What Khaled Almaeena forgot while bewailing the departure of Pervez Musharraf from Pakistan’s presidency, in his open letter to Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari (Aug.17), was that the general had no business to be there in the first place. He was a usurper. He was hired to guard the frontiers of Pakistan, not to occupy the presidential palace. Doormen are there to guard doors, not to take over the master bedroom, and when they do take over, they commit a crime. The fact that they have guns and are called generals does not change this essential reality; nor does the fact that this has been happening regularly in Pakistan and that there have been Muslim “intellectuals” who supported them does not make it right.

The point that these “intellectuals” forget while enumerating the virtues of military dictators is that, in this day and age, nations cannot be “saved” or “strengthened” by individuals, only by institutions. Pakistan’s military dictators from Ayub Khan through Yahya Khan and Zia ul-Haq to Musharraf have systematically destroyed Pakistan’s institutions — its constitution, Supreme Court, Parliament, Election Commission, independent media and everything else that are basic to a living state. And every one of these dictators was praised by our intellectual friends, all of them, sad to note, Muslims.

I wonder what makes these people believe that Muslims are inferior to all other communities of our species and we alone, among human societies, are not good enough to run our affairs and need dictators to take care of us.

Mansoor Khalid, Riyadh, published 27 August 2008

NATO’s escapades

Gwynne Dyer’s article “Georgian Debacle Could Break NATO” (Aug. 19) was indicative of cases where a need to get back to basics is clearly displayed. What does “NATO” stand for? It stands for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization”. Its original purpose was to protect Western Europe and North America from the Soviet threat. Whether that threat was ever real or merely perceived is quite another debate; the main point here being that NATO’s geographical remit was confined to the North Atlantic.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, NATO has been engaged in theaters of operation which are geographically far removed from the North Atlantic: the Middle East, the Balkans and the former Soviet republics being the most obvious examples. Whatever the rights and wrongs in these conflict zones, they have no bearing upon the security of Western Europe and the North Atlantic. However, when we understand America’s long-term quest for world dominance, then NATO’s globe-trotting escapades come in to clear perspective. If the fact that there is no simple issue of “the goodies versus the baddies” in the current crisis in Georgia can be grasped, then, George Bush’s admonishing of Russia for bullying and interfering in another nation’s sovereignty should bring to mind the adage about pots and kettles.

Francis A. Andrew, Oman, published 27 August 2008

Wild West — and East

While I agree that some of those things vilified by Shafquat Ali in his article “Class apart: It’s Wild, Wild West out there” (Aug.18) do occur in the West at times, the emphasis was totally incorrect. As your own reports keep testifying, the Kingdom is not short of bootleggers, terrorists, murderers, pimps or robbers. It is not short of inconsiderate drivers jumping red lights and driving while tired, thereby killing innocent citizens.

I do not believe that the East, the West or the Middle East are better or worse. They are different. I hope and believe that I have more knowledge of and respect for the society to which the author belongs. Certainly, my respect and understanding for this region are greater than his respect and understanding of mine.

Mike Humphrey, Jeddah, published 27 August 2008

Wild West — and East - 2

I find it utterly distasteful that you act as though it is America’s fault that your children come back educated. We in the United States have mores and, frankly, our sense of being and attitude is respected the world over. Ever wonder why no American goes on vacation to Saudi Arabia? The answer is simple. Saudi culture, in particular that which you are exposing is draconian. I suggest you focus on real issues like expat compensation and the rights of women. And be happy that Europe and America are there to give your children a proper education, free of mindless propaganda.

Michael Smith, United States, published 27 August 2008