Crimes against women not justified!
Women being forced to marry militants is very disturbing (‘Yazidi women ‘forced’ to marry Isil militants,’ Gulf News, August 18). I am shocked to read the condition of women, and I worry what the future holds for them. Holding women captive, applying religious pressure on them and forcing them to convert is not right.
If anyone can justify such acts because it is a time of war, they need to be told that this is not okay. I hope good sense prevails and these women are freed soon, although I know it’s highly unlikely.
From Mr Gee Kay
Tirupur, India
Facebook comment
Condemn actions
I think the media needs to do much more to highlight the plight of misery and suffering of the minority communities in Iraq. We need to see widespread condemnation of such shameful acts by Isil.
From Mr Kenneth
Mumbai, India
A peaceful religion
I hope people understand that this is not Islam (‘Isil militants massacre 80 Yazidis in Iraq,’ Gulf News, August 17). Honestly, it isn’t. Islam is a religion preaching peace. What are these people trying to prove?
From Ms Sofia
Dubai
Website comment
Concerns over backlash
These jihadists do not understand that they can never create an Islamic state, no matter what they do. They will eventually be overpowered. Their actions could probably trigger an anti-Islamic war, everywhere. This is my fear.
From Mr Amit Bhattacharjie
Muscat, Oman
Website comment
Change needed
Pakistan is a good country but the government is playing games with their people (‘Court orders filing of murder charges against Sharif,’ Gulf News, August 17). I want Nawaz Sharif to step down now. Imran Khan and Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri are standing up for our poor nation. I’m with Khan and Qadri.
From Mr Hassan Malek
Abu Dhabi
Website comment
A good leadership
I think readers commenting negatively on Sharif ought to be in Pakistan before you say that. Pakistan has seen nothing but change since Sharif took power.
From Mr Ajmal Bangash
London, United Kingdom
Website comment
Not charged
Sharif’s league is doing well in Pakistan. The court ordered to file the complaint against him but they didn’t charge him with anything.
From Mr Arif Farooq
Dubai
Website comment
More beneficial
The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) should take basic medical insurance in their own hands by providing it at the time of visa renewals (‘Medical insurers mull pricing,’ Gulf News, August 17). This way they can reinsure residents through proxy insurance. If this is done, the mandatory insurance schemes are more likely to benefit the people.
From Mr Yasin Barwani
Dubai
Website comment
I witnessed it!
I saw the accident and all I can say is the driver was really careless (‘4x4 rams woman through shop window in Abu Dhabi,’ Gulf News, August 18). He damaged one sedan and then hit the woman by dragging her inside the shop with the car. The poor woman, she was badly hurt. Thank God she survived.
From Ms Simran Shyam
UAE
Facebook comment
Revoke license
For managing to get into an accident like this, he should get a tough punishment. It’s as if he does not know how to reverse a vehicle. His licence should be revoked.
From Mr Asif Khan
Dubai
Facebook comment
Can’t always prevent
This is very sad to hear. Sadly, this isn’t the first incident of its kind wherein a pedestrian has been mowed down by a confused driver. Accidents can happen in a matter of a few seconds and at times no matter how hard we try to prevent them, they still occur as in this case. The poor woman was just unfortunate to have been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Hope she survives her injuries.
From Ms Fatima Suhail
UAE
Facebook comment
Controlling large vehicles
The UAE should amend their law so that only people who have driven for five years minimum in small cars can drive these powerful vehicles. It is too powerful unless you are very comfortable with accelerating, you cannot control these cars.
From Mr Mathew Panakamittan
UAE
Facebook comment
Taking more precautions
More extreme precautions need to be taken: why doesn’t the UAE stop flights coming from the Ebola stricken countries (‘Nigerian who died of cancer on flight via UAE shows signs of Ebola,’ Gulf News, August 18)? That would be a very effective way to stop Ebola from spreading to other countries.
From Ms Sabina
Dubai
Website comment
Ban flying
We find it hard to understand that when there are suspected animal diseases, those meat imports are immediately banned. However, when an airline continues to fly to Ebola stricken destinations and they are well aware that their passengers may be unintentionally travelling with Ebola before arriving at the airport, this is not banned.
The incubation period is claimed to be two weeks. This means that it is possible to leave an infected person with sufficient time to travel before evidence of the disease can be detected. Nearly 200 medical staff have died from Ebola. If trained medics cannot protect themselves, why are the authorities not closing down borders?
From Mr Louie Tedesco
Dubai
Website comment
Understanding the severity
It seems that most of the countries have not taken Ebola seriously enough. By now, there should be a ban on all travel for the affected countries before it’s too late!
From Mr Syed
Dubai
Website comment
The practicalities of Facebook
I think Facebook should be strict about not permitting people to post vulgar snaps of their honeymoon that can offend or show disrespect to viewers (‘Take honeymoon photos off Facebook’, Gulf News, August 18). No one has interest in seeing their honeymoon scenes apart from the good views, landscapes and decent photography. In my opinion, that’s what Facebook is there for: to share and be sensitive to what’s being shared.
From Ms Shania
Dubai
Website comment
Against gambling
I am from Manila, Philippines and I have watched and attended such events (‘Letters: August 18, 2014, Gulf News, August 18). If it is for entertainment and culture, I think I’m okay with its legalisation because it is such fun to watch, not only the cockfighting but also the whole ambience of the place - the shouting, the colourful language they use, the sign languages and the local colours it brings. It is such a wander to watch.
If people have a problem with it because of the gambling, then do not count me in. I have seen how people lose almost everything they have in such sport. There was one incident where I met a gentleman who came to the cockfight arena to gamble only to lose his car on the same day because of it.
From Mr Albert Gayo
Dubai
Cockfighting is cultural
Cockfighting is not seen in the Philippines. As an Indian, I have heard about it in the state of Tamil Nadu in India. It’s a very popular and traditional festival in some parts of the state.
The betting on these birds is big business - men bet for millions. Because of this popularity, a movie was released in Tamil called ‘Aadukalam’. In my opinion, cockfighting cannot be declared as illegal, but the betting should be controlled at these types of festivals. It should not be converted into a crime just because of some birds.
From Mr Shaheed
UAE
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