Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space. They are published in good faith with a view to enlightening all the stakeholders. However, the contents of these writings may not necessarily match the views of the newspaper.
Islamophobia in Stockholm
Islam, since its inception, has grappled with plethora of challenges but the most formidable challenge to Islam in contemporary times is Islamophobia. It is intensifying at an alarming rate and the recent incident of desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden categorically exhibits the gravity of this menace.
The heinous incident was part of a legally approved protest which occurred outside the largest mosque in Stockholm where Eid-al-Adha prayer was being performed. This abysmally gruesome act of blasphemy and burning of the Quran in the name of democracy and freedom of expression was committed in the broad daylight by an Iraqi refugee, Salwan Momika.
Such Islamophobic incident is not unprecedented in Stockholm since a similar protest was organised there last January near Turkish embassy by a far-right politician and anti-Islam provocateur, Rasmus Paludan. As a Muslim, I have been profoundly offended and I strongly condemn these frequent Islamophobic activities and hate crimes in the West.
I believe no religion and its sacred belongings should ever be disgraced publicly. Islam is a religion that literally means “peace” and allowing anything that is anti-Islam will mean disrupting peace. It’s high time the western countries and their legislators realize the difference between freedom of speech and freedom of crime. Specifically, Swedish judiciary needs drastic amendments in its laws pertaining to democratic rights of citizens. Inclusive action and meticulous measures by international organizations like the UN and OIC are need of the hour.
Strict international laws must be introduced regarding hate crimes related to religions. I earnestly urge all the Muslim leaders of the world to be on the same page and condemn the ongoing incidents at every forum not by merely words but by actions. Since Islamophobia has taken deep roots in the world, especially in the western hemisphere, it is a prerequisite for Muslim brethren to act collectively and sort out the issue diplomatically.
BAKHTAWAR BIJARANI
Shikarpur
Migratory teals
Pakistan is home to a diverse range of avifauna, including many water birds that use the country as a stopover during their migration. According to reports, 85% of winter visitors are ducks and shoreline waders. Among them, the Eurasian teal (Anas crecca), one of the most abundant dabbling ducks in the world, migrates to Pakistan in winter season to breed and escape harsh weather conditions.
Migratory birds rely on stored energy and nutrients to fuel each flight and need to rapidly restore the necessary energy required at their resting sites along the routes of migration. Recent research conducted under the supervision of Dr. Saima Ashraf at the Department of Anatomy & Histology at the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) have uncovered new information about the high capacity of migratory birds to process and digest the ingested feed.
The study evaluated the structural modifications in the gastrointestinal tract of migratory ducks, which enable them to adapt during stopovers. The results showed that migratory teals have stronger immunity and metabolic rates compared to local duck species. This is because the different components of the intestinal wall and spleen are better developed in migratory ducks.
These findings have important implications for the poultry industry. Migratory ducks can have better meat quality compared with local species if they are reared under standard poultry diets. By understanding the adaptations that enable migratory ducks to process feed more efficiently, the poultry industry can take advantage of this natural wonder and produce healthier meat.
In conclusion, the Eurasian teal is a natural wonder of Pakistan‘s wetlands, and this research has provided valuable insights into the adaptations that allow these birds to survive in their environment. This information has significant implications for the poultry industry and could contribute to production of higher-quality meat.
AMMARA YOUNAS, DR SAIMA ASHRAF
Via email
Ignored town
Sehwan is a Tehsil of District Jamshoro, famous for its Persian mystic poet and saint Hazrat Usman Marwandi. It is in fact an International town. However, one can say in plain words the town is ignored and mismanaged by its representatives. It looks in extremely dismal condition. Despite being on the right bank of the Indus River, poor inhabitants have been looking and yelling for drinking water. The locals have been raising their voice for the potable water at all possible platforms, but unfortunately, no one has been giving his ear to the grievances of poor people.
It is indeed an irony that a person elected from the town cannot solve the problems of his locality. How he can manage the entire administration of the whole province. I am talking about Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah. He is the native and representative of Sehwan. Despite being CM of Sindh, he did nothing for his people. The entire Sehwan has been patiently looking forward to their representatives ruling over the province since 2017.
Provision of water is a life line for all living beings. Despite this, water is a hot topic of the locals. People have raised their voice against all this mess up. But in Sindh, no one listens as we are the citizens of blind and deaf representatives who in election campaigns claim to do all the best, however after being elected, they do nothing and ignore their own soulmates.
People in need of water get the help from tanker mafia that sell water at high prices which make it impossible for poor to afford. After seeing inside of the entire town, one would come to the conclusion that the town is in an extremely dismal condition and speaks volumes of the mismanagement, ignorance and poor investment the town had in the decade of Shah’s rule. It is an appeal to all stakeholders, please have a pity on the people of Sehwan Sharif.
IMTIAZ ESSA HALEPOTO
Jamshoro
Box letters
Expensive tomatoes
The price of tomatoes has risen to more than Rs 80 a kilo in several parts of India, including Mumbai and has become even costlier than petrol. Tomatoes are the major dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene which has been linked to many health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer. They are also a great source of vitamin C, potassium, folate and vitamin K. The government must control inflation and must do something to bring down the price of tomatoes and other household ingredients as a relief to the common man.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
