Don't hide the truth
With reference to the letter to Gulf News by Ms Hillary Sisson, her reaction to the photograph of a dead child in Gaza shows the naïve perspective most people have about the world ("Questionable", Gulf News, March 6). She was "shocked and horrified", while her child was "terrified" on seeing the picture.
I ask the writer to consider for a moment the state of all children in war zones who have no choice but to feel, with a reason, shocked, horrified and terrified of death and destruction on a daily basis. There is no need to hide the truth from our selves or our children.
War is ugly, absurd and cruel. Show and explain, let our children see how painful war can be. Hopefully this would help them develop into more responsible and concerned adults.
From Ms Alessandra Antonelli
Dubai
Helping tyrants
I fully endorse Ms Sisson's views regarding ethical journalism. It's clear that she comes from a Western country that is most likely a permanent member of the Security Council and vetoes every resolution against Israel.
Moreover, probably a lot of her nation's tax money also gets to Israel eventually helping the tyrant to carry out its regular carnage and inhumane activities.
This is something she would prefer to hide from her child, as it would be too embarrassing for her to answer his questions.
From Mr K. Najib Ashraf
Dubai
Real people
I would like to disagree with Ms Sisson. Of course the picture of the dead child published was a tragic one. But we have to understand that many people died in those attacks. One cannot start to imagine the pain suffered by innocent civilians during such brutal attacks.
The report also had an instance of a mother who was killed while preparing breakfast for her children. What crimes had these people and children committed?
We live a secure and comfortable life and are petrified with just viewing a picture depicting real people being tortured. Gulf News did the right thing by printing the picture.
From A Reader
Abu Dhabi
Name withheld by request
Social aspects
I believe Ms Hillary Sisson is quite narrow-minded in her letter to Gulf News, where she does not consider the social aspects of the photograph that shows the dead body of a Palestinian child.
Her main concern is to protect "her own child" without any reprimands for the perpetrators.
From Mr K. Mirza
Abu Dhabi
Live in peace
I feel extremely sad to see the daily killings in Palestine. As an Indian national I request the groups involved in the massacres to stop this path of violence, as it will benefit no one. Please choose the path of non-violence as preached by Mahatma Gandhi.
Non-violence can help achieve the impossible and if implemented, the Middle East peace process can achieve success in the shortest possible time. We all live once - let's have peace and harmony.
From Mr Sathish Prabhu
Ras Al Khaimah
Pleasant surprise
It was refreshing to see a positive move forward for Muslim women in a modern Islamic society ("Her story," Gulf News, March 8).
The view presented in our Western media portrays Muslim women as being downtrodden and victimised. This article comes as a pleasant surprise.
From Mr Joy Lee
UK
Law breakers
Despite strict laws, certain motorists continue to jump signals, endangering the lives of all involved. I wonder what it would take for these offenders to realise their mistakes.
It's high time that the traffic police fix radars on all traffic signals to monitor such lawbreakers.
From Mr Syed Safdar
Dubai
Blanket decision
I read with much interest the report about the opening of Sharjah's classic car club ("Sultan opens classic car club", Gulf News, March 6).
I am a great believer in keeping classic cars on the road in well-maintained and original condition. Ironically, on the same day Gulf News also ran an article highlighting the pollution generated from car fumes.
I hope that a blanket decision is not taken to ban cars automatically due to age. A simple emission test should form part of the yearly registration for all cars - young and old.
From Mr Andrew Fuller
Dubai
Bring in a change
I find it appalling that crimes against Palestinians have been happening for so long without any Muslim country getting involved to do something about it! When will all this change?
I request Muslims around the world to stop being Muslim only by name and care about Palestinians and all other Muslims suffering.
From Ms Liliana Tarulli
London, UK
Fair stance
Very fair stance by Iran ("Official: Iran's oil industry will not be affected by latest UN sanctions", Gulf News, March 6). It's time the big powers were more concerned about Israel's nuclear prowess - just getting a "safety certificate" from the United States isn't enough to allay others' fears.
The Israeli politicians are at least as trigger-happy, if not more, as any others in the world.
If the US accuses Iran of "proxy wars", then nearly everyone else is equally to blame, and the lion's share of the blame should go to the US for engendering the extremely hateful atmosphere we're currently experiencing. I do hope the new US regime will sincerely work towards a better tomorrow.
From Mr Ajit Kini
Abu Dhabi
Clueless
Regarding Bangladesh's Test status, I'm not sure I understand what Mr Syed Shaukat Jamal means in his letter to Gulf News ("Cashing in", Gulf News, March 6)? Bangladesh attained Test status, which is simply their authorisation to play against other nations.
If the other nations beat them with high records, what exactly is the problem? Isn't it reflective of the other nations' abilities? Should other teams purposely tame or lower their standards just to make the Bangladesh cricket team look better?
From Mr Anthony Permal
Dubai
