Laymans letters

A compilation of few letters written by myself published in local news paper.

DEC 2005

Beyond the veil
24 December 2005

• THE article, ‘Beyond the veil’, by Irfan Hussain (KT, Dec 22) is quite interesting in the sense that it highlights the plight of women by family bondage.Women should be more vocal, united and forthcoming if they really want to change discrimination. It is not going to happen outright, but will take its own time. Things have to change internally and the steps they take will ultimately lead the society to change and to accept them. There are societal values that support discrimination against women and legitimise violence against them. An example is the honour killing. This is so common in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Jordan. What honour, and what values? Isn’t this horrific?Marriage by force is another case in point and this issue is common in the religions of the subcontinent. Until prejudice and injustice and discrimination are ended for all people, none of us can claim to be truly free. Women should stand up and speak against the culture of shame and also fight for their rights which they feel they are being deprived of rather than having a common agenda of aping men. However having said that, in my opinion, men and women cannot be equal. Men and women are stronger in their own respects. The problem is when we are trying to equalise the opposites. Both need each other and both are strong in their own ways. Women and men are different and it is proven scientifically that men and women think differently. Both have different physical characteristics. I always believed that one should not try to act stronger or control the other, but instead go hand in hand to achieve the common ground. Therein lies the solution, and instead of fighting for equality one should fight for respect, dignity, discrimination and their common rights.
  — Ahsan Ghouri, Abu Dhabi
  

Smile please (www.gulfnews.com)

• Smile is the only curve that straightens things up. But why do most people not smile at all, be it strangers or neighbours? Many would have encountered people in the elevators trying to avoid looking at you. The atmosphere in the lift is definitely heavy and dry. Is it because of lack of trust or no concern for fellow human beings?
  From Mr A. Ghori,Abu Dhabi
  
  NOV-2005
  
  Fortune-telling
  26 November 2005(www.khaleejtimes.ae)
  
  
  
• THE world is fast developing in all aspects but people cannot keep pace with the development and fall back to old habits and superstitions. I am appalled by the acts of the sensation-mongering media, which beam shows related to fallacy, which in turn make gullible people fall in to traps like questionable sciences. A favourite local radio & TV channel catering to a wide audience have on their show numerology & astrology. I feel this pseudo- science has its basis on fear & ignorance of people. Therefore, we need to encourage people to shun this habit of depending on numbers & stars in the constellation clashing with the stars of birth, thereby giving the person luck or bad luck. It does have a placebo effect for sure, and that is all to it in my opinion. Many people whose religious beliefs strictly forbid superstition still are anxious to follow this false superstitious belief. This is not a good sign. Destiny of any person is determined by his own efforts & by God's will.
  — Ahsan Ghori, Abu Dhabi
  

Needed: freeze on rent hike (WWW.Khaleejtimes.ae)
22 november 2005

• FOOD, clothing and shelter are the basic needs of human beings. Now the UAE is facing a situation which reminds me of the famous words by a traveller, while he was on a journey in the sea. "Water, water everywhere, not a drop to drink". The situation is almost the same with regard to shelter here, and I say, "Buildings, buildings everywhere, but not one is affordable for a stay". The authorities may think of innovative ideas to sort this problem out, by not favouring one over the other.
  — Ahsan Ghori, Abu Dhabi

TV censorship
16 November 2005

• CENSORSHIP in television by authorities is required for sure. The simple reason is that we are living in a society bound by rules and regulations, and hence we need to be careful not to offend other people's sentiments. What is acceptable for one person is not acceptable for another. The word "free" is so pleasing to hear, but the truth is, if we are free to do whatever we want to do, then there will be only chaos and confusion. So, somewhere down the line, there is need for controls and limits. In mathematics, when we have limits, we arrive at a formula that helps to solve the problem; and when there is no limit, it becomes infinity with no solution in sight. Therefore, the logic is always to limit oneself to arrive at a solution. The method adopted may vary but the solution and conclusion is the same. Censorship varies from country to country, but one should know the limits and follow the rules set by any country. Opinions vary, values vary, outlook varies, but if one considers and respects others' opinions, rather than impose their opinions on others, that would be better.
  — Ahsan Ghori, Abu Dhabi
  

Sightings and celebrations
10 November 2005

• RELIGION is very sensitive issue. People are so scared to discuss anything about religion fearing a backlash.Many times as a layman when I try to discuss religion or express my logical thinking on many religious issues, the reply I get is ''let us leave it to people who have learned religion and follow what they say with no questions asked whatsoever''. When Mr. Galadari wrote about this moon sighting issue, many of us agree with him but dare not question anyone. I should say that I totally agree with him, as Islam is the religion of unity. As far as and wherever possible, we should show unity and brotherhood. I also agree with the reply of Mr. Moideen (KT Nov -6) that it is not possible to unify and have a standard time for the whole world, as the time zones are different. However having said that, there is certainly room for improvement. For example, back home in India Eid was celebrated on different dates in the same state or province. This causes problems regarding declaration of holidays for the authorities as they are unsure when to give them.Many times, they declare restricted holiday during Eid and as the term itself suggests, it is because of a restriction in the Muslim mind for whatever reason. It will be more convincing and helpful for Muslims if scholars or learned men come up with unanimous decisions on such issues acceptable to all.It is high time we bring about uniformity in our religious observances and show the world the solidarity in faith and brotherhood.
  — Ahsan Ghori, Abu Dhabi
  

Smile, please!

www.Khaleejtimes.ae
3 November 2005

• SMILE is the only curve that straightens things up, but then, why do most people not smile at all, be it strangers or even neighbours residing in the same building. Many of you would have encountered people in the elevators trying to avoid looking at you. They look up, down or at those numbering buttons in the lift, waiting desperately with their mouths shut for the elevator to reach their respective floors. The atmosphere in the lift is definitely heavy and dry. Many a time, one can sense the uneasiness amongst the crowd. Does a pleasing smile cost them anything at all? Same is the case when you go to a shop .The salesperson hardly smiles. There is a Chinese saying which says don’t open a shop unless you like to smile. Why is this innocuous smile missing with the people in this part of the world? I wonder what could be the reason! Is it because of a lack of trust or no concern for fellow human beings? Can anyone enlighten me on this?
  — A. G., Abu Dhabi
  

Why two-tier holiday system?
3 November 2005

• RAMADAN is the month of sacrifice, patience, giving and goodwill. The people working in the private sector after month-long preparations are put to the test right on the eve of Eid on having to be patient and not to be envious or show jealousy. They have to accept the two-tier holiday system wherein the private sector follows the Islamic calendar (Shawwal 1&2 of Hijri year 1426) as holidays, and the public sector follows the Georgian calendar (Nov 2 to 6, Year 2005) as holidays. Now, can anyone explain to me why can’t the public sector employees also follow the same holidays as for the private sector or vice-versa.Many countries around the world follow the same rule as far as holidays are concerned — be it public or private sector. As we are going global, let’s go global in this regard also. The shopping festival has started and the slogan is ‘One world, one family one people’. Is this true?
  — Ahsan Ghori, Abu Dhabi
  

Khaleejtimes 25/10/05

Scene at an accident spot
25 October 2005

• THIS is the scene when an accident happened on Shaikh Zayed Road. The huge mass of humanity that had collected itself there made me think. Were all of them there out of concern? Was sympathy, empathy, pity and all other synonyms for that fellow feeling we have, the reason? Or, was it just curiosity? Or, were people so bored with their routine life that any event was a welcome change?To me, that definitely seemed a reason when the vehicles stopped and formed a long queue on the scene. Many drivers and passengers got down from the vehicles and rushed to the spot. While they returned to their respective vehicles, they promptly gave answers about the event they just witnessed to the heads popping out of the cars from the vehicles. I wonder if this helps in any way to those who are affected or to the paramedics who are desperately helping the victims. It is only a hindrance to them.However, having said that it is just a human inclination towards some happening, the news of that will soon spread like wildfire by word of mouth. Whatever it is, one thing is sure — humanity swarms at any spectacle, be it an accident or anything else. Can’t help it, can we?
  — Ahsan Ghori, Abu Dhabi
  

Khaleej times 23/10/05(www.Khaleejtimes.ae)

Importance of education
23 October 2005

• EDUCATION is very important for any man or woman. If one is not educated, one is not enlightened. Since women are forced or rather kept away from education, it is easy to suppress them, so that men can have their way.I think what Mr Galadari says is that woman’s education should be the number one priority for any government, (Comment, KT, Oct. 14) let it be a developed, developing or underdeveloped world. There is a saying if you educate a man you educate one person, but if you educate a woman you educate an entire family.Since women are less educated as per statistics, this should be the top priority. By education, one widens one’s knowledge, understands basic rights, and fights for those rights. This, I think, is empowerment. People have a mistaken belief that economic independence will lead to women’s empowerment, thereby to their emancipation from all problems, which is not always the case.I have seen many women earning more money than men by doing hard labour, but still suffering at the hands of men who get drunk and beat up their wives. Educated workingwomen supplement the family income, and men look out for educated women as partners to double their income, but the woman’s rights do not change and it remains the same as before. So many women end up doing dual roles. In short, they get exploited.I think education is important for them to understand and fight for their rights. Also the system, the culture, tradition all should be understood and changed with the times so as to suit and keep pace with the developing world. Many ridiculous, traditional customs, which suppress women, are still practised. Each and every activity should have sound reasoning.For one to be emancipated, people’s attitudes too should change. Money is power and too much of it can do more damage than good if one has a wrong attitude. Therefore, along with education, a whole lot of things should change, and somewhere, we need to make a beginning. The whole world should consider all human beings as equal and do away with discrimination of any kind.
  — Ahsan Ghori, by e-mail
  

Khaleej times, 22/10/05
Rules are for human beings
22 October 2005

• MUCH has been talked about workers’ timings and its effect on productivity. A couple of months ago, it was about midday break for workers during the summer months. Now, it is about reduced timings during the holy month of Ramadan. I feel these reductions in timing are given, taking into consideration the ability of human beings to cope with extreme temperatures or to accommodate the rigours of fasting the whole day without even drinking a drop of water. In both the cases, the body is prone to lose its vital requirement of water and get dehydrated.This could sometimes turn out to be fatal if the body is strained beyond its limits. Production is not everything. Human beings are not machines. Therefore, the rules laid down by the local authorities are justified. The labour authorities also are doing a good job by bringing the culprits who violate the law to book. However, as the number of people on vigil is proportionately less than required, some companies are flouting the laws. One should obey the laws of the country either as employers or as employees. The least any country would expect is that people obey the laws of the land as long as they are here. I hope we all adhere to the rules laid down in this fast developing and tolerant country.
  

— Ahsan Ghori, Abu Dhabi

Gulf News (www.gulfnews.com)
Quite proportionate 18/10/05

• It is common sense that the fasting person cannot be productive beyond 6 hours.
  When a person is fasting, he cannot even drink a drop of water and hence the body is prone to dehydration.
  The labour law stipulates 8 hours of work for a normal human being, based on the capacity of the human body for maximum productivity.
  Now, can anyone tell me how efficient a dehydrated human being can be? Got to be less than 8 hours, therefore 8-2 = 6 hours is fair enough.

From A.Ghori,Abudhabi

Note : This letter is in response to an artilce written in gulf news advocating normal working hours during the month of Ramadan.

Khaleej Times 16/10/05 (www.khaleejtimes.ae)
Wastage of food
16 October 2005

• IT CANNOT be more precise than this’ is my response to Mr Galadari’s Comment on ‘Fasting and Ramadan’ (KT, Oct 13). The basic problem of Muslims is that they don’t understand or misunderstand the real objective of following the rituals. During Ramadan, I have seen many families inviting their friends and relatives for Iftar and often, one could witness a palatial arrangement of various dishes to break the fast, and then a lavish dinner follows after prayers. It has become a sort of competition.The womenfolk talk about the dishes they prepared and try to outdo the other when their turn comes to serve the platter. Do they think about the poor man who works so hard in the sun with just one meal for him and his family to survive. I think they do not. Many take advantage during the Ramadan month by being lazy at work. I have seen many a time work getting delayed because people are lethargic even early in the morning when they start work. The reasons could be celebrations dragging into late in the night in many cases.It has become common for people to say that if you want to get any job done, do it either before or after the Ramadan month, because during Ramadan, work will take its own time to get done. Already, with shortened working hours and sluggish workers, it’s obvious that this is what one can expect.The majority of our ‘ummah’ is illiterate, and it is the obligation of the educated to educate the illiterate the right way, so that people understand why God has commanded us to follow the rituals the right way by first understanding and then practising. It’s not the ritual that is important, but the real factor hidden behind each ritual. That is what purifies our soul and gets us closer to God.

— Ahsan Ghori, by e-mail

******

• I AGREE 100 per cent with Mr Galadari and again request my Muslim brothers and sisters to please refrain from unnecessary expenditures, and instead divert that money towards the poor and the needy. In general, it is observed that the public here in this region wastes a lot of food. There are millions of Muslim infants, women and children dying every day due to hunger around the globe, especially in Africa. So, think about them and exercise your responsibilities accordingly.
  — Arif, Sharjah
  
  

Khaleejtimes 11/10/05 (www.Khaleejtimes.ae)

Demand and supply
11 October 2005

• WITH reference to Francis’ letter about demand and supply (KT, Oct 6), I feel what he says is logically correct, but it’s not always right to use the statement ‘If you don’t feel like it here, just leave.’ Many who come here to work and live in this country consider it as their own. So, to say ‘just leave this place’ is not only inappropriate, but also downright rude. Housing here has definitely become a nightmare due to escalating rents, especially for low and middle income employees.The real estate industry has taken over the market and trying to gauge the people by creating a hype. People who have lived comfortably as per their earnings suddenly find themselves squeezing into one room to make ends meet. The sudden escalation in rents — in some cases as much as 50 per cent — has made people appeal for help to find a place to live. The government has also announced about building low-cost houses. This has to be expedited. Right now, many people are priced out of the market and living in sharing accommodation which also reflects in the standard of living in this country.So, to project a vibrant UAE, the government needs to swiftly take action in this regard, as many have started to live frugally. Hope the UAE becomes the best place to live on the earth in all respects for all people, the poor included.
  — Ahsan Ghori, Abu Dhabi

Gulf news 3/10/05 (www.gulfnews.com)

Put it to vote

• I refer to the news item "A taboo waiting to be broken" (Gulf News, September 29) regarding women driving cars in Saudi Arabia.
  Why don't the authorities solve the problem by involving women themselves as it concerns them?
  Why not ask Saudi women their views about being allowed to drive cars by conducting a poll.
  Based on the result, the authorities can have a clear idea whether to allow women to drive and thereby stop undue outside interference in their country's internal affairs.

From Mr A. Ghori,Abu Dhabi



Stress — the great killer
2 October 2005

• WITH reference to your article ‘Mental stress needs proper attention’ (KT, Sept 27), I agree with your views and my views are very much close to yours. I feel sympathy and anger at the same time that an entire family was wiped out in a brutal way, presumably because of some mental disorder of one man. Cannot imagine the horror the children or his wife would have gone through when this man (suspect) or any man would have attacked them due to an insane mind caused by stress and various factors. When it comes to the mind, it is difficult to read anyone’s mind unless you say it out.Many times, I have heard people say it’s all in the mind. It’s the mind that matters, but the fact is many neglect this grey matter. Stress, if not properly managed, is a killer. Not only does it take a person’s life, but it also has a ripple effect on the society in general. I used to wonder why so many institutes related to human conditioning have mushroomed in the UAE, which was not the case 10 years ago. Many would have heard in the media about these stress-busters like hypnotherapy, laughter therapy, aroma therapy, Yoga to ‘Art of living’ centres .When did we forget the art to live? Perhaps, due to the incredibly fast-paced development in this part of the world, human beings are not conditioned to cope with the pace, without being stressed. Therefore, we need this external support in the name of institutes for de-stressing ourselves, but it reminds me of the wonderful support system God has devised in the name of family for us and its role of being supportive to each other.

— Ahsan Ghori, Abu Dhabi

Khaleej times (www.khaleejtimes.ae)

Stress kills
29 September 2005

• WITH reference to your ‘Comment’ (Mental stress needs proper attention, KT, Sept 27), I am in agreement with your views. I am also sympathetic and angry at the same time. An entire family gets wiped out in a brutal manner, presumably because of the mental disorder of one man. I cannot imagine the horror the children or his wife would have gone through when this man went about insanely attacking and slaughtering them.When it comes to the ‘mind’, it is difficult to read it. I have heard people say ‘it’s all in the mind’. It’s the mind that matters. Yet, many of us neglect the grey matter.Stress, if not properly managed, is a killer. Not only does it take a person’s life, but it also has a ripple effect on the society in general. In recent times, many institutes related to human conditioning have mushroomed in the UAE. This was not the case 10 years ago. The media has spoken about hypnotherapy, laughter therapy, yoga and art of living centres. When did we forget the art to live? Perhaps the incredibly fast-paced development in this part of the world is to blame. We need this external support in the name of institutes to de-stress ourselves. Meanwhile, we have forgotten about the wonderful support system God has devised for us in the name of ‘family’. Instead, what we have is the ‘nuclear family’.Nuclear families kill interaction between people. Men and women are ruled by materialism, and success is measured in terms of the bank balance. The culture of showing off and other social evils creep in. The outcome is an increase in the divorce rate, and broken families.The author, fortunately found support in his family with which he was able to handle the situation. I agree wholeheartedly with him. There can be no wrong in the system God gave to humanity.
  — Ahsan Ghori, by e-mail
  
  
  ************
  YOUR 'Comment' on the Sharjah tragedy in which the whole family of a depressed and stressed Indian engineer was wiped out was well thought out. Except in some parts of the developed world, disorders of the mind are often brushed under the carpet. People tend to forget that a large number of physical illnesses are psychosomatic, i.e., affecting or resulting from the conditions of both mind and body. City life drives individuals to shrink their outer world, which leads to an imbalance in the inner world of dreams, aspirations, emotional bonds, value systems, etc. The dissatisfaction, anxieties and depressions arising out of the deficiencies felt in that inner world could have been balanced by the outer world and the bonding, care and concern it can offer them. Your personal example of family support in crisis and the way you overcame the same was an example to prove this.Life is uncertain, fragile and delicate. Yet we need to live it. But remember the mind matters. And please do not mistake money as happiness. Nor are material possessions your passport to greatness. Draw a line between need and greed. If there is anything that can soothe your life, it is positive human relationship. Commitment, mutual concern, bonding without ulterior motives etc. make relationships beautiful, be it with spouse, friends or relatives.
  — Vijay Kumar, Mumbai, India
  
  
  
  Gulf news 28/9/05 (www.gulfnews.com)
  
  Survival of humanity
  
• If the contracting company is not able to pay wages on time, it is unfit to be in the business. Also, if the market is unable to pay money to the contracting company for the job done, the company must stop the work immediately and the government should expedite the process to rehabilitate the handicapped market players. The question here is not about the system but survival of humanity and human rights.

From Mr A. Ghori,Abu Dhabi



26 September 2005
Khaleejtimes(www.khaleejtimes.ae)

Issues and approach to faith

• WITH reference to your article ‘Liberating faith, rigid followers’, I think you have missed certain dictums from our book which clearly state that Muslim women and men should be modestly dressed. Now, the question is, how modest is modest? I think the dress Sania wore at the US Open left nothing more to the imagination and was certainly not acceptable if she claims to be one who follows the faith. I am a great fan of Sania and I believe she has the capability to reach the top 20 in the world. Being a tennis lover and player myself, I appreciate her game and am proud of her achievement. About the question of the so-called scholars giving out a fatwa, I agree with you, the members of the community have to put their heads down in shame. The prepostrous statements of the so-called ulema does not speak for the majority of Muslims. We need not be too liberal like the Westerners, which is against our faith, but a somewhere-in-between solution could be found, to keep pace with the world and at the same time not to be left out. —
  
  Ahsan Ghori, by e-mail
  
  
  Sania-Hue & cry
  
• Where were the Mullas & Maulvis when Sania was climbing up the ladder in the tennis world & was yet to become a celebrity? Didnt she belong to Muslim faith then to warrant a fatwa about her attire she used to wear as a budding player. I thing what the mullas are doing is mere sensationalizing the case & letting the world know that Muslims are late thinkers. They do not take any notice or ignore to take action against women of muslim faith who expose themselves by wearing clothes which are not acceptable as per muslim faith later they make a hue & cry when the damage is already done. I wonder how this postmortem will serve the purpose other than sprinkling salt in the wound. Some might argue it is better late than never but I firmly believe Muslims should curb things that are not acceptable to their faith at grassroots levels & not after it has blown out as it will only show them in bad light.
  -Ahsan Ghori
  note - this was not published
  
  

Gulf news ,11th sep 2005(www.gulfnews.com)

• Pride and prejudice
  President George W. Bush says he will not ask for help but will accept any help that comes from anywhere.
  What is the problem if he asks for help? How can one think of ego at a time when the country is reeling from a disaster?
  When calamity strikes, we realise how interdependent we are on one another.
  That is the reality. However, as time passes and with our short-term memory, we soon forget all this and are back to our 'normal' self and our false ego.
  That is the irony.

From Mr A. Ghori,Abu Dhabi

Khaleej Times, 10th Sep 2005(www.khaleejtimes.ae)

The ‘superpower’ too is vulnerable

10 September 2005

• WHY would the world’s richest country accept donations, but not ask for it. Isn’t it false pride? We proclaim we are independent and proudly brag about being so. We go on with our life until some sort of calamity strikes us and makes us realise how interdependent we are with one another. However, as time passes, our memory being short-term, soon we forget all that and are back to our so-called normally abnormal selves. Right from the things we eat, walk or drive to work, each and every activity is linked to a system of dependency. Even our life depends on another person. Take for example you are driving to work and though you are a good driver, for you to reach the destination safely, your life depends on how good the other person drives or follows the system. Nevertheless, if nothing unfortunate happens and you reach your destination safely, you feel elated about your driving capabilities. You even proclaim that you no longer have to depend on anyone to reach the place, but the fact is you are dependent on the machine that you drive and so many other factors. You think you are independent, but in reality you are not. You are actually interdependent. A ‘feel-good’ factor is always there when you can satiate your ego by saying I am independent. That is the irony. All are interdependent and not independent. Even after your death, you are dependent on another person to dispose of your body. The world will be a better place if we all accept the fact that we are interdependent and not independent. I feel the term ‘independent’ should be removed from our vocabulary as we all need each other. Katrina, nature’s fury, taught us a lesson that I hope people won’t forget, especially the so-called superpower.
  — Ahsan Ghori, Abu Dhabi
  
  

Khaleej Times,29th July

Suspicious spouse
29 July 2005

• I WAS really taken aback on reading the KT report of a Syrian barber beating his second wife to death for standing in the balcony and that too after 10 pm. This kind of cruelty is beyond comprehension in this modern age. The poor lady must have suffered silently since her marriage.There are many such suspicious and narrow-minded husbands who enjoy treating their wives as slaves and beating them up as and when they like even for silly reasons. It's high time that men and women are given equal status, and encourage victims of such atrocity to report it to the authorities, failing which they get away scot free. Hope this "wife beater" gets the punishment he deserves so that others are discouraged from acting in this way.
  — Name withheld on request
  
  
  Khaleej Times,2nd August
• Suspicious spouse

2 August 2005

• I REFER to the letter, Suspicious spouse, (KT July 29). I agree that it is barbaric for a man to beat his wife to death. But if the second wife of this Syrian man had obeyed her husband's advice, not to stand in the balcony or peep through window unnecessarily, she would have fulfilled her husband's wishes and command and then she would be alive now and her husband would not have ended up in jail. In married life, it is expected that both the partners take the advice of each other in the right spirit. In my view, every man is suspicious and narrow-minded in dealing with the issue concerning woman. No man is a saint. When a man looks at a woman, his look is always lewd, if the woman moves freely, it gives him wrong signals. A woman standing in the balcony or peeping through window or roaming without any purpose will always be giving wrong signals to a man. Can any man deny my contention?
  
  Kamal by e-mail
  
  
• More on ‘suspicious spouses’
  3 August 2005

• THIS is in response to suspicious spouse, (KT, Aug 2) by Kamal. I agree with Kamal when he says " in married life, it is expected that both the partners take the advice of each other in the right spirit." I personally feel this Syrian husband was insecure in his second marriage, and probably he felt his young wife will cheat on him. Perhaps, to show his actual control on her, he resorted to beating her black and blue. Unfortunately, the outcome was fatal. If their marriage had been based on love, trust and respect and if this Syrian man had acted in a mature way he wouldn't have landed in cell.May be, suspicion is the basic instinct of human nature, especially in a relationship concerning love and marriage but it is essential to force trust in our minds before falling into the trap of suspicion, which comes very easily in anyone's mind. I am sorry to say that this Syrian man was very possessive and violent, and it is this nature that landed him in jail.

— Sneha Stephen, Dubai

******

• WITH reference to Suspicious spouse (KT, Aug 2) , I must say that I am shocked to read the preposterous statement that 'his wife should have fulfilled husband's wishes and command'. Then he goes on to say that 'advice should be taken in the right spirit by husband and wife. I wonder, how he put the blame on the dead victim, and that too for not obliging to the narrow thinking and chauvinism of her husband, who eventually murdered her? To me, anyone who kills his wife for seeing her on the balcony is a monster. What kind of civilisation is this where women cannot even look out from the balcony or breathe fresh air. I feel pity for the women who need to take permission from their men to even look out from the balconies. I guess for people like Kamal, the only purpose balcony serves is for drying and hanging clothes. I would like to inform him that in places like Abu Dhabi there is a penalty for hanging clothes in the balcony whereas there is no penalty or fine for looking out from the balcony.

— Ahsan Ghori, Abu Dhabi

******

THE 'suspicious' man's place is definitely in the prison. I am referring to the Syrian man who beat her wife to death for standing on the balcony of the house. People who are guilty are more suspicious. Moreover, man is supposed to be stronger than the woman, so it is expected that he should be tolerant.
— Dr M. Bhaijee, Michigan, USA

Khaleej Times13th July, 2005

What’s faith got to do with it?
13 July 2005

• WITH reference to your article ‘Why link terror to religion’ (KT, July 12), I agree with your comments about the misconception. But then again, I feel Muslim clerics and leaders should strongly condemn the terrorists with no buts. These only portray them in such a way that the Muslim Ummah have a soft corner for the terrorist actions as a reaction. I think we should distance from the terrorist completely and no justification for terrorist actions shall be accepted or given credence. Moreover, as fatwas are issued against those who desecrate the religion of Islam and teachings, they should also be issued against these terrorists who, as you rightly say, do not belong to our religion. They quote scriptures for their actions and the clerics should strongly come out against this. The problem here is because they quote the scriptures for their actions which is misconstrued as the belief and faith of the people who belong to Islam by others. Hence, the term ‘Islamic terrorist’ I suppose, whereas other terrorists whom you mention in your article never quoted the scriptures. We also have to look into ourselves and correct the wrongs. It’s time all are treated as equals with no discrimination. It is time for introspection, but at the same time, we do not agree with the western media and the hype they create. I feel Islam is the best religion with the worst followers.

— A Ghori, Abu Dhabi

My Note- would like to see the world where Politics & religion segregated.where people love people just as humans nothing more nothing less.

Gulf news-13th July, 2005

• I've heard enough of these bombings, killings, hatred and terrorism. The smiles on people's faces are fast disappearing. Why don't we have a World Peace Day like Father's Day, Mother's Day and Valentine's Day. It is time the world addresses this issue to give peace a chance. At least give it a try.

From Mr A Ghori,Abu Dhabi

Editor's note: Peace Days, in one form or another international or world are declared
on occasion by the UN or other respected bodies.

My note- Feel helpless about the happenings in this world.I am a peace loving guy.


Khaleej times-4th July, 2005
Letter to Editor

No basic facilities 4 July 2005

• COMPANIES are ready to pay fines instead of stopping work. Fines have minimal effect as the authorities already have a taste of it, trying to impose it on speeding vehicles. Instead, if responsible contractors are asked to stay in the hot sun for two hours every day, outside their cool AC cabins, I think they will better understand the plight of labourers and shut their vocal cords for two months until the temperature settles down. Isn’t this a humane approach? I believe so.
  — A Ghori, Abu Dhabi
  MyNote-my feelings about the poor labourers & how they are exploited

Gulf News, 30th may,2005

Letter to the editor

Noble work

• I am a parent of a special-care child living in Abu Dhabi.
  The school held its annual day function recently. While watching the performance,
  I observed the expressions of the audience and was choked with emotion seeing them
  smile wholeheartedly and applaud in unison whenever a child, with great determination,
  walked up after stumbling to the stage to perform.
  When the parents went up to the stage to sing with the children, I could only think how
  lucky we are to have the Indian Ladies Association which provides special care for children.
  Hats off to the staff.
  From Mr A Ghori,Abu Dhabi
  
  
• My note-She is my daughter SAFA a cute one.
  She is Down syndrome girl. Please Pray for her health & for us to bring her up the best we can.
  
  

Response

• Gulf news 1st june, 2005
  They need usI attended the Indian Ladies Association Special Care Centre's open day and I agree with Mr A Ghori ("Noble work" Gulf News, May 30). Every child's performance was magical, thanks to the dedicated staff and volunteers who work for months towards this special day
  A very special school with very special staff who do an incredible job in caring for the children who attend. If anyone is looking for a worthwhile cause to support, look no further.
  These ladies are in dire need of funds to help them to continue to brighten the lives of many special children and raise awareness for the plight of special needs children in Abu Dhabi

From Ms D. LongDubai

Khaleej Times-5th May( www.khaleejtimes.ae)
Letter to the editor

Visa woes ,5 May 2005

• MY MOTHER applied for a visit visa to the UK on 2nd May at the UK > embassy, Abu Dhabi for a visit to her son and family. She waited for four long hours before being called for the interview, and then the visa was rejected. The reason given by the visa officer was that she was going to the UK to look after her son’s kids and is not going to come back to the UAE as the son in the UK is earning more money than her son here. The officer never realised that being a widowed mother, she was entitled on compassionate grounds to stay with her son as his dependent. Also, she chose the UAE because the weather in the UK is too cold for her to bear. I fail to understand how a 67-year-old lady is going to look after the son’s kids, when in reality, it is she who has to be looked after and also why a 67-year-old would want to jump visas and live illegally there. Can’t comprehend the thinking of visa officers and how they are they trained to refuse genuine cases. The UAE, being a compassionate country, granted her the residence visa.
  — A Ghori, Abu Dhabi
  
• MyNote-My mom got visa in her second attempt.The letter did have an role to play as the officer enquired about the letter & explained the reasons for rejecting the visa to me.