Illogical fear

This refers to the editorial “ Illogical fear” (Oct. 27). The article is well written and informative but the big question is whether Saudi Arabia gets the same good quality of vaccine as is available in Europe or the US? There is no harm in testing it here before it is given to the public. Heaven will not fall if more time is spent in testing the vaccine with the help of our local medical experts. Also it is illogical to just follow Europe and the US. They are humans and can be wrong and make errors. We have experience of the US and Europe’s actions in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq etc., where their public followed foolishly and, to some extent, other countries also followed the dictates of Europe and US leaders, even though there was no reason behind the massacre of public and local leaders, particularly in Iraq. Now Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan and to some extent other parts of the world are in a bad shape, more insecure than before the influence of the US and Europe. I hope you agree with my arguments.

Mohammed, By e-mail published 28 October 2009

Illogical fear 2

I have been waiting for quite a long time on some write-up on swine flu vaccination and fears and rumors surrounding it in the Kingdom. People who have no knowledge about the disease or preventive measures against it are behind rumors against vaccination in the Kingdom. I agree with the FDA standards in the US. I was very worried by seeing some doctors’ comments about the vaccination a week ago. I hope the editorial will infuse a sense of confidence among the general public in the Kingdom.

Kalungu Abdulkader, By e-mail published 28 October 2009

Carter’s visit

This is in response to the news related to the visit of Jimmy Carter (Oct. 26). I fully agree with Carter that peace cannot be achieved without justice, I also appreciate his efforts for peace in the Middle East. For the pursuance of peace, he talked to all parties even Hamas, who is considered untouchable by Americans and Westerners. Carter’s efforts will yield results if Israel changes its policy and hands over the occupied territory to the Arabs. He should convince Americans to force Israel to respect international law and make peace with Arabs.

Saad Hassan, By e-mail published 28 October 2009

Niqab and the West

I don’t know whether Syed Jaffery in his letter (Oct. 27), while responding to Robinson’ letter (Oct. 25), is also advising Muslims in the Western world to do in Rome as Romans do. Despite our glorious past, of which we talk a lot, we need to learn some qualities which have helped the Western world to progress toward a tolerant society. These are universal values, the same for any society to move forward — honesty, truthfulness, justice, forgiveness and hard work etc. Jaffery should not confuse the niqab issue with faith or religion. It has been discussed in these columns at length that niqab is not mandatory religious attire. Being a part of a dress code in some societies for a long time, it has acquired a religious connotation for some people. Muslim societies need to break the shackles of a minority who has made them hostage to custom and traditions in the name of religion.

Masood Khan, Jubail published 28 October 2009

Fight over insurance

This is in response to your article “Hospitals, insurance firms fight” (Oct. 27). A vast majority of the disputes related to insurance arise due to lack of knowledge of insurance. Unlike in the past when there was a strong possibility of fly by night insurance companies, the current regulatory environment has put in place a system, where an insurance company is in a responsible position to deal with its providers. The Council of Cooperative Health Insurance (CCHI) has framed the medical policy, prescribed the payment procedures and dispute resolution system. It needs to be properly implemented. As regard the provision of the selected medical centers for direct billing, it is one of the products provided by the insurance companies so the customers can choose from various options. The motive of the customer is to get the basic mandatory insurance at the cheapest price and he ends up in going for the limited provider option. However, this does not deny the insurance companies their own profit motives.

Mohammed Sadullah Khan, Riyadh published 28 October 2009

Fight over insurance 2

Yes, I agree, it’s a nightmare to deal with insurance companies. Last week I had been to a hospital with my wife and our newborn baby. To my misery I had to wait for more than two hours just to receive the status of approval of medicine from insurance company, finally it was not approved. From that day onward the very thought of insurance companies scares me; they are just cheating the corporates and bagging huge sums of money every year and providing the worst service. Some new companies like Trade Union Cooperative Insurance and reinsurance are the worst and all corporates should rethink before having health care contract with such companies.

Rizwan Khan, By e-mail published 28 October 2009

Anti-smoking regulations

This refers to the story “Anti-smoking regulations fail to see the light of day” (Oct. 25). The anti-smoking rules/laws seem to be the same as the driving rules/laws; no one wants to enforce them. The public, both Saudi and expat, is concerned about the airport security guard smoking under the “No Smoking” sign. Is there a fine or penalty for not obeying posted signs? Or are the signs like stoplights on the roads — just something for using electricity? It makes no difference what laws you have if you don’t enforce them. In my 11 years in the Kingdom, I have heard a lot of talk but seen very little action. Don’t you think it’s time to put up or shut up? What would happen if the airport security guard was smoking under the “No Smoking” sign at the airport or if a driver ran a light? Nothing! The people in higher places are shielded from such violations. I invite the higher-ups to be incognito and visit the airport or drive themselves down the road to see what the rest of society is faced with on a daily basis.

Robin Robinson, By e-mail published 28 October 2009

Hateful organization

I would like to comment on the BBC’s “Question Time” debate show of Oct. 22, which involved the British National Party’s leader Neil Griffin. From the BBC’s debate I learned that the BNP believes that Islam is a “wicked and vicious religion” and it proudly supports Israel’s murderous rampage through Gaza as well as everything else that Israel does. This should be enough to make anyone look askance at the BNP; however there is more. The BNP celebrates Hitler’s policy of racial purity and opposes any mixing of the races because it feels that such a mixing would pollute the genetic line of certain races.

From the information that I got from this letters column, I had thought the BNP was a harmless organization composed of eccentrics who merely ranted against the EU and raved against a belief in global warming. I never realized that it was such a backward and hateful organization. During the debate, the BNP’s leader, Neil Griffin, looked uncomfortable and was ineffective throughout. He had a very poor response to pressure, and he looked like a schoolchild who had just been caught in a lie or in an act of mischief. As a politician, Griffin was unable to control or balance the situation and tried to cover up his catastrophic performance by whining about how unfairly he had been treated. I am not comfortable with the belief of the BNP, its leaders nor its followers. I believe that it has the potential to grow into a dangerous source of hate and intolerance.

Sharif Dua, By e-mail published 28 October 2009