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.
Rise in Islamophobia
Today, Muslim world is facing both internal and external challenges. As far as internal challenges are concerned, it includes social, political, and sectarian wars.
Externally Muslim world is facing pervasive Islamophobia by right wing populist and white supremacist.
The rise in Islamophobia saw large scale increase after 9/11 attacks as United States and other western countries termed it as an act of Islamic terrorism.
In the aftermath of those attacks, they termed Islam a threat to western world that further caused right wing extremist hate. The word Islamophobia was developed to create fear of Islam as well as Muslims as a social group.
Thereafter, Muslims were generally taunted, ridiculed and were perceived as terrorists in America and other western countries.
In past few years, hostility toward the Muslim immigrants has increased sharply, which resulted in persecution and killing of Muslims at their worship places.
The western media has never missed a chance to ridicule the Muslims and spread hatred against Islam and hold them responsible for any attack happened in any part of the world.
It is an alarming situation for the Muslims to see how western media portraits Muslims and show prejudice against Islam and spread Islamophobia at lightning speed.
When there is an attack that is carried out by Muslims, they call it Islamic terrorism but on the other hand when non-Muslims carry out any attack they call and label the perpetrator as a mentally ill and distressed one. This is extreme level of bias that is deeply entrenched in the western media.
Media must not be bias and acknowledge that terrorists have no religion or colour. Media must stop demonising Muslims and holding them responsible for anything bad that happens to the world.
MUJEEB-UR-RAHMAN
Karachi
Importance of playgrounds
Playgrounds are essential for both children and adults to play enthusiastically in open space but as people are after plots, they are leaving no space for playgrounds.
With growing population, cities are becoming overcrowded and more and more buildings are being built while open spaces are being covered, leaving little open space for children to play.
Fresh air and games are crucial for relaxation and healthy growth. Exercise is also very important for physical and mental development.
Most children enjoy playing but due to limited number of playgrounds, they are compelled to play on roadsides and streets, which is very dangerous. Some children play in unhygienic spaces and often contract viral diseases. Concerned authorities must strive to provide playgrounds to general public.
IQRA MUHAMMAD JAN
Turbat, Balochistan
Benefits
of exercise
Regular physical exercise has excellent health advantages. Exercise betters your mood and enriches your life experience.
It is a potent tool to control your body weight and improve your personality. Furthermore, exercise enables you to combat ailments and health conditions and prolongs sleep timings and stability of your body organs.
Regular exercise keeps you fresh and people who regularly do exercises confront diseases courageously.
In short, they remain active, prosperous and healthy unlike those who don’t do any exercise. Exercise is vital to dispel unwanted and gloomy feelings. It accelerates flow of blood in the whole body. Consequently your mood becomes delightful.
Your brain plays a paramount role in shaping your mood. If a man adheres to exercise, his brain will receive sufficient blood and oxygen. Exercise provides mental nourishment.
Exercise strengthens your body to overcome diseases. Most importantly, heart diseases are efficiently and effectively curable with regular exercise.
MUHAMMAD AFZAL
Via email
Honour killings
According to a report released by Aurat Foundation, a non-governmental organisation working in the province of Balochistan to ensure protection of women rights, this year some 50 people including 30 women were killed by their relatives in the name of so-called honour. Nasirabad division tops the list.
It is very clear that not only Baloch society but also different societies in the country are increasingly facing the problem of honour killing.
Some studies show that around 1,000 women are killed annually in Pakistan in so-called ‘honour killings’ for allegedly violating social norms and marriages. Some honour cases remain unreported.
There is serious need to start campaign across the country to raise awareness against the so-called killings in the name of honour especially in women universities and other girls’ educational institutions.
Inevitably, honour killing is common all over the world, especially in third world countries like India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Women have to struggle for justice and their rights.
HAMMAL NASEER
Via email
