Commendable services
According to media reports more than two million faithful attended taraweeh and qiyamullail prayers on twenty-seventh of Ramadan in the holy city of Makkah. Despite presence of millions of people, the Saudi government provided excellent facilities and no untoward incident was reported. Credit also goes to thousands of security personals, medical teams and also thousands of young volunteers who worked in hard conditions. As a matter of fact, even when the mercury touches above forty degree in Makkah, thousands of young guys wearing brown uniforms and blue jackets still try hard to facilitate millions of people who come from every corner of the world. During the time of fasting and hard conditions their efforts must be commended. Now it is also a responsibility of every one to follow rules and regulations set out by the authorities concerned in holy places and cooperate with thousands of young volunteers who are working hard to help millions of people. — Khawaja Umer Farooq, Jeddah
Smoking and its repercussions
Undoubtedly, smoking is injurious to health. The decision to ban smoking in ministries, government departments and public places is a welcome move. We must thank Minister of Interior Prince Ahmed for issuing orders to ban smoking in public places and government departments and closed places, coffee shops, restaurants, and crowded places. It is the duty of every person to respect these orders and to implement this decision. The shopkeepers selling cigarettes should also strictly abide by the decision not to sell cigarettes to young men under 19 as it is a well-established fact that the smoking causes bad breath, yellow teeth, lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, heart disease, asthma, and a number of other diseases. Actually smoking could even cause death. No smoker would say that it is beneficial, it is a bad habit of squanderers. So we must help ourselves by avoiding and quitting smoking and enjoy a good healthy life. — Zakaria Sultan, Riyadh
2
This refers to the report “Ban on smoking in public places to reduce smokers by about 60 percent” (Aug. 23). I think it is a good move and it would act as a deterrent to people smoking in public premises. Smokers must understand that they are playing with their health as well as others’. It is true that many smokers in the guise of smoking cigarettes do smoke narcotic substances. Indeed, quitting smoking habit is a bit difficult task, but anyone takes it as a challenge he or she can do it. For Muslims, Ramadan is the best time to quit smoking. For anyone who can manage without smoking for at least 15 to 16 hours, with little effort, he or she can extend it to 24 hours. For all these matters, the firm resolution is a must. — Anees Lokhande, Alkhobar
3
A 60 percent reduction in smoking because of a ban on smoking in public places sounds ridiculous. It is in fact impossible. Where are the figures to back up this statement? A recent study in the UK shows a 5.5 percent reduction in smokers from a 2007 smoking ban in public. The CDC states on their website that a 2005 study in New York City showed a decrease of 20 percent of smokers because of a ban on smoking in public places. But how did the authorities come up with a 60 percent and why didn’t anyone question such an outlandish statement? — Joe Macnab, Riyadh
Russia riot
I applaud the Russian authorities for convicting “Pussy Riot” — the very name suggesting sex and violence — of committing a hate crime against religion. The all-girl punk band willfully, maliciously and blasphemously desecrated a Russian Orthodox Church. Everyone has a right to freedom of expression. This includes those who were attending the religious service in question. Rhese people’s rights were obviously denied and violated by the surprise guerrilla invasion. — Rick Martin, Bristol, Britain
Letters: Commendable services
