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.
Befitting reply to hate-mongers!
“Why is it so important that we are Muslims and that he was a Hindu? Our parents and then our generation grew up together. Religion never came up between us” — Sheikh Younis Ali. “How does it matter whether he was a Hindu or a Muslim? The only thing that matters is, he has left us forever, leaving a vacuum” — Ali’s companion PALS — Only Hindu family in that neighbourhood of Howrah district, Bengal. Rabindranath Pal, a man of 60-s passes away at night with many crematoriums refusing to perform the last rites on this suspicious COVID environment. Amidst that utter helplessness, the Muslim neighbours of the Pals stepped forward, carried the body to another crematorium and helped Pal’s son to perform the last rites.
Though these are very natural and human acts of neighbours (as said by Sheikh Younis Ali and his companion), still these types of incident deserve special mention as the current environment prevailing on the globe is not at all ideal from humanitarian point of view. When absolutely innocent persons get stigmatised just because of their religious credential and given a bad name, these specimens of inter-religious harmony and cooperation definitely deserve special mention so as to give a befitting reply to the hate-mongers.
Also feeling proud of Ajmer Sharif Dargah Committee for arranging transport of thousands of pilgrims and migrant labourers to their home states through Railway and buses. An expense of about Rs.50 lakh have been made from the fund of Dargah Committee with many Khadims also chipping in with donations from personal fund! And the pilgrims and labourers were not necessarily Muslims! Rather many Hindus also got benefitted thanks to the Dargah Committee. “To Serve Humanity Is To Serve God” — thanks to Ajmer Sharif Dargah Committee for once again enlightening it through humanitarian selfless action.
KAJAL CHATTERJEE
Kolkata, India
Blind eye to the suffering of Syrian community
I was browsing the internet when I read a report “UN sees Syria talks starting on Friday”. I feel that the United Nations and some Western countries have not realised the seriousness of crisis the Syrian people have been going through due to years of unrest in the country. A ceasefire is a must prior to any discussions as the civil war has already claimed thousands of lives and made millions homeless, starting off mass replacement of people. Many “refugees” live outside Syria in camps.
Peace discussions cannot make any progress unless there is an agreed agenda in place and all the parties involved in the dialogue must ensure that they contribute equally and responsibly to end the years-long crisis. As the suffering of the Syrian community continues, the discussions must have some serious objectives considering the humanitarian aspects of the issue. At the same time it is quite embarrassing that despite the military involvement of the US, Russia and other world powers, the agony of the Syrian people still continues and there is no immediate sign of hope before them.
ARIBA CHAUDHARY
Islamabad
Help poor nations promote press freedom
It is important to help developing countries to achieve freedom of press which is basically the principle that communication and expression through various media, including printed and electronic media should be considered a right to be exercised freely. We should all defend the media from all attacks for the independence particularly in developing countries.
When the media is given a platform to be independent, impartial and honest, then there will be greater trust and confidence in the media. Some poor countries are still lagging behind in implementing freedom of press. These countries should be effectively assisted to build, promote and nurture environments where freedom of press can thrive.
HANDSEN CHIKOWORE
United Kingdom
Tweet storm in a tea cup
Pak President thanked Oman government and Royal family in a TV talk show (Capital Talk April 22, 2020) quoting tweets by Omani princess. The princess had criticised Indian government for maltreatment of Muslims in occupied Kashmir, described as Guantanamo Bay by former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. Later the princess disowned the tweet. Aside from content of the tweet, isn’t it a brutal truth that Kashmir is actually a prison (A.G. Noorani, Kashmir, a prison, Dawn January 12, 2019).
India took a host of draconian illegal steps to change Kashmir’s demography. Instead of raising a storm in a tea cup, India should hold a plebiscite to know will of the people.
Amjed Jaaved
Rawalpindi Cantt.
Education system of Pakistan
Pakistan’s education system is not well as compared to the many other developing countries. One of the reasons is that the system is based on cramming; it only considers the rote learning ability of students but does not provide much room for creativity. Due to this, we lag behind in the race of developing innovations, inventions and making discoveries. The major problems associated with the education system of Pakistan are: lack of adequate budget, lack of policy implementation, defective examination system, poor physical facilities, lack of teacher quality, low enrolment and political issues etc.
Therefore, the authorities and the educationists should also consider this fundamental issue and add more practical and creative work in the curriculum in order to bring about improvement in our education system. Local government system is helpful in promoting education and literacy in the country. Also focus on training and supporting teachers and encourage collage savings plans.
RIMSHA NOUREEN
Via email
Happy Mother’s Day!
A mother is always with her child during the worst and best times. She is a great gift for us from God and no one can take the place of a mother. So without a mother, our life is meaningless as a mother is everything for a child to survive in this world.
A mother is the only person in the world whose love is very much pure and unlimited for her children. She is a personality who needs just love and a smile from her children to make her life a pleasure. Don’t mothers deserve a smile? Absolutely, they do deserve more than a smile because they only demand happiness from their children. Finally, never ever hurt your mother and always give due regard and respect to her. Mother’s Day is a happiest and highly memorable day of the year for every child. Happy Mother’s Day!!
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
Jumping the gun
This is with reference to the irresponsible and unprofessional attitude shown by reporters of both print and electronic media of the country during their reporting. Sorry to say that reporters have often assumed the role of investigators, prosecutors and judges. It is good to see that media in Pakistan (both electronic and print) are free to report any thing that takes place in the country. But, it is said with great regret that some immature and unprofessional reporters have taken the undue advantage of such freedom of media and have been reporting in the manner as they are the sole government and they have the sole authority to pass the final judgment in a matter.
Such media reporters, in no time, depict a person criminal and culprit without really going to the other side of the coin and without really knowing that such task belongs to the courts of the country. The basic responsibility of a true professional reporter is to just present its prepared report regarding a matter before its viewers or readers in an unbiased manner without really crossing its professional limits. It has often been seen that media reporters in Pakistan sensationalise many a news without really doing any of their home work in such presented reports. Pakistani reporters must be mature enough to remain within their professional domain. They must not play the role of investigators, prosecutors and judges. They must stick to their assigned job alone. Let the respective departments and courts of the country decide fate of a person whether he or she is criminal or not.
ABDUL SAMAD SAMO,
Karachi.
