One of the Timbuktu’s residents rightly pronounced the Ansar Dine rebels as “armed madmen” intended to destroy the pride of Mali’s capital, the centuries-old shrines of Muslims Sufis.
Timbuktu had been the most prominent center of Islamic learning in the West Africa from the 13th to the 17th century. There are a number of shrines, mausoleums and mosques in the city, which are now part of UNESCO world heritage treasure. Six mausoleums have already been destroyed, rebels vow to destroy every shrine in the city, all of them, without exception.
The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has described the destruction as a “war crime.” But she should know these rebels who are full of hatred do not care for any request or criticism. On the other side of the continent, Al-Shabaab is busy in its killing and destruction spree. Fifteen people were killed in attacks on the churches in the Kenyan town of Garissa. Their religious brethren in Nigeria, Boko Haram, are fueling an already tense Christian-Muslims relationship. Churches are being repeatedly attacked followed by occasional reprisal attacks on mosques.
Africa is witnessing the same what we in Pakistan, Afghanistan and other countries in the region have seen in last three decades. Hatred supported by deviant doctrine has converted a number of people, no matter whether they are educated or not, into zombies ready to kill and destroy in the name of religion. We have seen religious and sectarian killings, destruction of world heritage, bombing of mosques and shrines, ransacking of schools and health centers all in the name of religion, in the name of a cause.
Will there be a day when these zombies find a cause of humanity and tolerance? — Masood Khan, Jubail
Lahore brutalities
Recent police brutalities with junior doctors in Lahore is enough to open eyes of concerned authorities in Pakistan.
According to media news, the president of young doctors association was arrested and several doctors dragged on roads. Dozens of arrested doctors brought in court in closed police vans. Only days ago thousands of teachers received same treatment from police at streets of Karachi and Lahore. Teachers and doctors are the most respectable members of our society.
Barbaric behavior with teachers and doctors also show that our society is losing its cultural, social and moral values in country. These days when corruption and lawlessness have become daily routine in country, and thousands of people have killed in target killing incidents in different parts of county, a single person involved in corruption should not receive treatment like this. And doctors and teachers have become target of police brutalities these days, which is very unfortunate.
Corrupt politicians are also enjoying amnesty under government protection. This is the main reason that most of our talented and educated young generation is going abroad for better future and their talent and education is being used for other countries’ progress because we are not able to provide them life according to their education and talent.
Due to lack of support and the government’s lack of interest our society is also not able to produce alternatives to Dr. Qadeer Khan, Dr. Saleem uz Zaman Siddiqui and Hakeem Mohammed Saeed. Due to bad behavior and political influence, several government institutions have already closed their doors to talented and educated people and country is facing worst crises in every field of life. Despite vast resources we have worst Water, Electricity and Financial crises and things are going bad to worse every day. — Khawaja Umer Farooq, Jeddah
Increase coverage
It is time to increase the number of pages of Arab News from the present 20 pages to 40 for a wider coverage of news and events that are taking place in the Kingdom and around the world.
As one of the regular readers of Arab News for over 14 years I wish to see more reading material and advertisements in your leading newspaper. Please allocate at least two pages for India’s news and features.
I feel more pages must be devoted for local, national and regional news, business, economics, international, sports, science and technology news and features.
I hope you will consider my suggestions in the interest of Arab News and its readers. Also, it is necessary for Arab News to continuously improve in terms of contents, quality and quantity, and maintain a lead in the Kingdom’s market. — Syed Majeedul Hasan, Jeddah
Letters — Zombies with a cause
