Burqa controversy — 3

I have noticed that all comments regarding French President Sarkozy’s views on burqa have one thing in common. All writers say it is not compulsory for Muslim women to wear burqa. Then why all this fuss? And all the writers have been men. No woman, Saudi or other, has made any comment so far. One gets the impression that men are more interested in the burqa than the women who actually wear it or need it.

Abdul Jalil, Dammam, published 30 June 2009

Women’s revolution

In the Iran uprising women have taken a leading role. Reports coming out of Iran over the years have confirmed time and time again that Iranian women were finding male-dominated dictatorship intolerable. I find it inspiring and exciting to see unarmed women standing in front of armed police and militias risking their lives for freedom. They have more courage in their little finger than the men in uniform with their guns. Iranian leaders should know that Adolf Hitler was the most powerful man in Europe once. What is he now?

Derek Redican, Dublin, Ireland, published 30 June 2009

Immigration woes

Many letters have appeared in these columns requesting the Saudi authorities to do something to expedite the immigration process at the airports. On June 7 four of my family members, including my 70-year-old mother, arrived in Jeddah from Pakistan to perform Umrah. They had to stand in the queue for more than four hours.

The person at the immigration counter kept on talking on his phone and after handling one passenger, he smoked a cigarette or went to another counter to chat with his colleague. There were several old women in the queue, but he took no notice.

I humbly request the authorities to take some serious action to change these callous attitudes to passengers, whether pilgrims or not.

M. Ajaz Shafi, Jeddah, published 30 June 2009

West and democracy

I read Aijaz Zaka Syed’s article, “Who wins if Iran loses” (June 25). It is as if an elected government in any Muslim country must have the endorsement of the West and Israel. What is more, Israel should also certify that the country concerned has no nuclear ambitions and has no intention of supporting Hamas or Hezbollah now or at any time in the future. So any government in a Muslim country should proceed on the assumption that the popular vote on which they were elected is only the first step toward their global acceptance and legitimacy.

S.M.S. Reza, Jeddah, published 30 June 2009

No benefit for UK

Some of your readers marvel at how lucky the British have been in being so graciously admitted as members of the European Union. Here are some examples of the “good luck” that Britain has had since joining the then Common Market in 1973: Britain’s trade with the European Union is in long-term decline. British exports to the North American Free Trade Area (NAFTA) have been growing at 9.2 percent a year since 1992, while exports to the rest of the world have been growing at 8.5 percent. Exports to the EU, however, have been growing at just 7.1 percent. This is despite the claimed ‘benefits’ of the single market to trade within the EU.

In the 23 years up to 1995 Britain accumulated a trade deficit with the EU in manufactures of £116,600 million (about £220,000 million in today’s money). This colossal deficit compares with a substantial surplus with the same countries in the 23 years preceding our joining the EU.

Those who dispute these figures should consult the IMF reports and The Pink Book: Central Statistics Office.

On top of this, the Common Agricultural Policy denies us the right to buy agricultural produce more cheaply from other nations. The Common Fisheries Policy has almost decimated our fishing fleets and left our territorial waters nearly denuded of fish stocks. The Institute of Directors has estimated that the total cost to Britain of its EU membership is in the region of 15-25 billion pounds per annum — i.e. 1,000 pounds per household.

Francis A. Andrew, Nizwa, Oman, published 30 June 2009

Which tribe?

I would like to know when was the last time Steven Corcoran either visited or lived here in America to know so much about us. I would think it would be hard to dissolve into tribalism, considering my roots are from England, Scotland, Germany, France, Norway, and this doesn’t include my husband’s roots that include American Indian roots. So, which tribe should we “join”?

Betty Wiggins, United States, published 30 June 2009

Iran and the West

Aijaz Zaka Syed has written quite a balanced article on Iran. Zionists have a plan to topple the governments they don’t like. Iran is the prime target. I agree that Ahmadinejad has to tone down his rhetoric. At the same time, I believe that aggressive foreign policy pays off. See what has happened to Pakistan because of Musharraf’s defensive policies. Not a single part of Pakistan is now safe.

Don’t take me wrong, please. Iran has its faults. It is not perfect. Since the foundation of Israel, if we keenly observe, Israel has never played on the backfoot. That is the key to its success.

Ahmadinejad has to balance his approach, but he should never play on the backfoot — that would be suicidal. If Israel or America has to attack, no matter what, they will attack. Actually, they would have done that already, had not they realized the Iranian response together with their involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mohad Elassi, United States, published 30 June 2009

Burqa controversy — 2

Once again the burqa is in the news. President Nicolas Sarkozy has made it clear that a veiled culture will not be allowed in France. Banning the burqa or passing disparaging remarks on it or discouraging those who want to wear it is interfering in the personal affairs of Muslims. Sarkozy is the president of France and not the head of the Muslim community who has the right to say what Muslims or Muslim women should wear and should not wear. If Muslim women seek to work in offices or do their job in any place wearing the burqa, this is their right. In Islam burqa is not compulsory for women.

Abdul Hannan, Jeddah, published 30 June 2009

Burqa controversy

President Sarkozy was echoing the views of neo-racist groups in France when he raised the issue of a ban on the burqa. France was one of the first nations to adopt the concept of liberty and freedom in its constitution. Freedom and liberty include the power or right to practice any faith or religion and follow the edicts of that faith. The wearing of veils or dressing modestly can never be considered as hurting other people’s freedoms or rights. There are hundreds of communities that follow their own way of living and dress codes. For example, you will not see the male members of the Sikh community except with a turban and beard.

Safi H. Jannaty, Dammam, published 30 June 2009