Letters — Don’t lose your temper

This refers to the article, “ Fasting doesn’t mean losing your temper,” (Aug. 2). Sabria S. Jawahar has highlighted the issue which we all face during the holy month of Ramadan. It is very important to understand that we are not doing any favor to anybody or to even Allah Almighty by fasting. We are doing it for our own good and there is absolutely no reason for us to be rude to others or expect others to forgive our deliberate lapses and failures or anger just because we are fasting. In fact, we need to act as normal as possible and handle the routine affairs in the usual manner. As we know, there are many places in the world, which do not give any concession to the employees who are fasting and they perform their duties for the same number of hours during Ramadan.
Though it happens in other months, but it is more common in Ramadan to find people parking their cars in the midways for attending prayers in mosques leading to traffic jams. We just cannot cause discomfort even to one single person on such pretext.
In general, punctuality among employees is very important for any organization to work in a coherent manner, but, where the employees are involved in servicing the customers, they will have to be more mindful of their time. It is pathetic to see the queues outside the gates of banks, airlines and utility companies getting larger due to delays in the opening by the concerned employees.
Lastly, although, it is very right to highlight the good work and professionalism of an individual employee or an organization by name, but, let it not sound as reading an advertisement column. (Safi H. Jannaty, Dammam)


Young Saudi entrepreneurs
This refers to the report “Young Saudi entrepreneurs to receive support” (Aug. 1). It is nice to read that the Institute of Entrepreneurship in Jeddah organized free training courses for young Saudi entrepreneurs for summer vacation. This will help young Saudis pursue their enterprises in more efficient manner.
As a matter of fact, many young Saudis do not find good jobs corresponding to their educational qualifications, and therefore, they are reluctant to join any jobs. With the outside support, they will be able to explore new avenues and promote themselves positively. Also, I think, management courses such as MBA with finance, marketing, retail management, banking, advertising and IT management can help them in their careers.
Since SABIC, Saudi Aramco, Saudi Telecom (STC), Alinma Bank and Saudi Credit and Saving Bank are the strategic partners of the Institute of Entrepreneurship, their role will be very much helpful in promoting young Saudi entrepreneurs. (Anees Lokhande, Alkhobar)

Residence permit renewal
This is in reference to the editorial on breakdown in the ports on clearance of containers. While you are alluding to this ongoing problem, another problem is occurring in the Labor Office and Passport Office. Renewal of residence permits has come to a halt presumably because of a breakdown in connectivity between these agencies. While the Labor Office took on the onerous responsibility of yearly (rather than the two years) renewal of residence permits, now it is being made to swallow its own pills as the system bandwidth is unable to cope with the summer holiday rush for expatriates planning to leave the Kingdom in the coming few weeks.
For example, my wife is scheduled to travel this week, the renewal of residence permits for the family is in limbo despite following the new norms of surrendering the residence permits and passports within the stipulated three months prior to expiration of the residence permits. (Bonaventure Stephen Gomes, Dhahran)

Massacre in Burma
Thank you for keeping the Burma massacre issue alive with articles and letters. The practical response from the Ummah is another thing. To expect help from the enemies of Islam is useless. It is not South Sudan or East Timor. They will give you weapons and ensure you use them on your own people or brothers. God only helps those who help themselves. We should strive to carve out a land, even if we have to buy real estate,for the poor Rohingyas and help them settle in Burma at least. Every little effort will help. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation should not become a toothless watchdog like the UN. Life is very short and we will all soon face our Creator and be accounted for our deeds. Are we ready? (Shahid Nawaz, By e-mail)