Women’s rights

I do not know how to react to the report “Cabinet pledges full support for women’s rights” (Nov. 4). The immediate temptation is to ask, “What is new?” We have read such headlines before, and have watched incident after incident of women being denied their rights. We learned later that the reports are all made for effect, to impress foreign leaders and media.

Nevertheless, I will not dismiss the assurance as PR because the meeting was presided over by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. He is not a man given to cosmetic statements. So, let us hope that next time a woman’s rights are violated in the Kingdom, those in authority will take notice.

Let us wait to see what happens when, in the coming days, a woman learns that she has been divorced only when she is thrown out of her house, when she cannot get herself admitted to a hospital because her husband is unwilling to take her there, when he beats her up without any reason, when a mutawwa takes a woman’s hand and drags her to the Vice Cops’ car because he was displeased with her way of walking, or....

I keep hoping.

Abid Mustafa, Jeddah published 10 November 2008

Saudis without nationality

I cannot imagine a tragic situation like the one reported by Hayat Al-Ghamdi in her story “Saudi family fights for nationality” (Nov.1). It is incredible that a man whose father and grandfather were Saudis has been struggling for the last 20 years, without any success, to get Saudi citizenship. As a result, he and his family have lost all rights as citizens.

I have visited Asir and found the people there to be gentle and hospitable. Why can’t this case be settled in a manner in keeping with that nature, before a Shariah court? My understanding is that, in the absence of solid evidence in support of any claim, the Shariah accepts the testimonials of four witnesses as sufficient proof. The man’s place of birth, lineage and family connections can be proved in this manner. It is unfair to deprive him of his citizenship, children’s education and medical care when there are people who knew him, his father and possibly even his grandfather.

I shall pray for a fair resolution of the problems of Abdo and his family. I will always remember the generous nature of the people of Asir and how wonderful they were in their treatment of a group of American nurses who knew very little about their culture.

Martha Graham, United States published 10 November 2008

Line-jamming offer

I can understand the frustration of those STC customers quoted in the report “STC promotion jams international lines” (Nov. 4). I am sad to learn that there are so many disenchanted people whose calls could not get through. But, I need to ask the reporters: Did you go hunting for those few with problems? Why did you not check with those who benefited from the offer? We made several calls on the first day itself to the Far East and to North America. Not once did the calls fail to connect. We made calls at different times too.

This is the best offer I’ve seen yet. STC deserves credit for this one.

Robert Lajoie, Dammam published 10 November 2008

Line-jamming offer 2

Why does STC go for this type of promotion gimmick? This is indirectly resulting in the wastage of man-hours by making people wait to get connections and talking for a long time.

If the lines are getting jammed in the receiving country, as STC claimed, what is the use of this promotion for the people from that country? If they want to serve the community in an ethical way, let them reduce the charge.

Damodara Bhat, Jeddah published 10 November 2008

Line-jamming offer 3

I was surprised by the way STC blamed the receiving end for calls not going through. Currently I live in India and my parents are in Saudi Arabia. Since the STC offer came into effect, I have had no problem receiving calls from my parents using Mobily and Zain. There has been no problem with regard to calls to or from Saudi Arabia. Even the first attempt has been going through. With more than five telecom operators running in India in each state and with many high-capacity international networks linking India with the rest of the world, I don’t see why there should be congestion on our side. STC should take responsibility for failures. This is not their first attempt to shift the blame.

Sharbeen S., Cannanore, India published 10 November 2008

Women of talents

Reading Nourah Al-Khereiji’s article “Nora, please do not come back home!” (Nov. 4) has made me want to salute the women of Saudi Arabia who are taking long strides and making themselves visible internationally. In the case of Ms. Nora Ahmed Rashad, she exemplifies what any individual would want to achieve if they put their mind to it. Every Saudi woman must emulate her example. I can understand her sense of patriotism and loyalty to her country. She sees herself as an instrument of change that could help thousands of people all over the world. However, I wonder how receptive Saudi Arabia will be to such ideas. Too many tribal traditions stand in the way of progress. If Nora Rashad comes back to Saudi Arabia, her vision will become a fantasy. She will be trapped in a world where women are considered incomplete.

Dennis B. Danao, Jeddah published 10 November 2008

Anil Kumble’s final googly

The announcement by India’s greatest Test cricketer and most prolific match winner, and its legendary leg spinner Anil Kumble’s retirement from Test cricket was surprising and unexpected. That is how some truly great performers bow out. Kumble’s success in Tests — the third highest wicket-taker (619) from 132 matches behind Muttiah Muralitharan (756) and Shane Warne (708) — is phenomenal. Besides his Test exploits, Kumble had an impressive record in the shorter version of the game as well, with 337 wickets from 271 matches, the highest number of scalps by an Indian bowler till date. Kumble ends his career at Ferozshah Kotla, which he rates as one of his favorite venues. He took all 10 wickets in an innings against Pakistan at this venue in 1999 to become only the second bowler after Englishman Jim Laker to achieve the feat. He was a role model for many cricketers.

Kumble’s departure is a great loss for Indian cricket. It brings a golden era to an end. Winning so many matches against top teams abroad shows his hard work and commitment toward the team. Further, bowling almost 40 overs daily during a Test is not a joke and doing that for 18 long years without any complaint shows his passion for the game. Over such an extended period in a game that is full of rivalries, I have never heard him even whisper something odd or bad about another cricketer. We will always cherish the memory of how he carried out his art and, perhaps more importantly, how he comported himself, ever the champion.

Mir Gazanfar Ali Zaki, Jeddah published 10 November 2008