Helping Pakistan
The CIA and the US authorities have once again mishandled the simple case of Dr. Shakil Afridi, who helped trace the whereabouts of Osama Bin Laden, which led to his elimination. Sometimes one wonders how smart these CIA guys are. They should have that much common sense and foresight not to leave Dr. Afridi in Pakistan. He and his family should have been quietly transported to the then US military base and flown out and they should have then denied his whereabouts, a skill that all intelligence services are good at.
This is one more nasty incident, and one that could have been easily avoided in the fast deteriorating relations between the US and Pakistan. While the US and her allies view Dr. Afridi as a hero, he is being vilified as a traitor by the tribal court convicting him for serving a foreign intelligence agency and perhaps on their payroll. But does not the war on terror transcend all nationalities and ideologies, since the Al-Qaeda was headed by a non-Pakistani operating from Pakistan and bringing disrepute to Pakistan and plunging her into an unwanted war? Pakistan claims to have lost around $ 80 billion against the US aid of $ 20 billion.
In many Muslim countries, the very existence of an alliance with the US is viewed with intense suspicion, hatred and pathological opposition. The US should not even conduct clandestine talks with the Taleban for this will dilute the resolve to defeat extremism everywhere in the world. The US should pull Pakistan out of its economic crisis and start sending in ships to provide electricity to at least some of the major industrial cities to maintain employment levels.
Such gestures, when well-publicized, will go a long way in winning the hearts and minds of Pakistanis and the Muslims in general. No aid should be channeled through the current government for it is riddled with rampant corruption. - Seif A. Somalya, Jeddah
Saudi women and careers
This refers to the article “Some Saudi women are wedded to their careers” (May 25). Indeed, careers are very important for Saudi women, as it gives them respect and financial stability. No doubt, Saudi women are suffering a lot owing to high divorce rates. Also, because some husbands do not treat their wives justly, this brings dismay to the family and Muslim society, giving Islamophobes an opportunity to criticize Islam.
However, Islam advocates just treatment for women and wives. It says not to beat them or suppress them in any situation. Apart from this, Islam has given an elevated position to women. A case in point is the famous Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that says paradise is under the feet of the mother. Relations between the husband and wife should be amicable and disagreements should be resolved cordially. Due to the parents’ divorce, the children remain under stress and confusion. When the father marries another woman, this woman may not treat the children well and so the misery continues for the children. They may not be able to concentrate on their studies and their mental faculties may be less developed. I advice working women who are not able to find themselves suitable husbands to not give up their search. Not every man is bad. Life without marriage is not easy. They should continue to work as well as never give up the idea of marriage. - Anees Lokhande, Alkhobar
Egyptian elections
I am very impressed by your well-researched editorial, “Egypt’s presidential election” (May 25). The response of a lady in the queue for voting that she had been waiting “all her life” to vote is typical of Egyptian humor, which I have always appreciated. I am also glad to learn about the commendable remarks of independent election observers. They have showered praise for the orderly manner in which the election was conducted. The general opinion in almost all the international media is that the election was free and fair and even the campaign has been free from personal character assassination. As expressed in your editorial, we hope the military will respect the Egyptian people’s choice, whoever it may be, and restrict its duties to only soldiering. If there is any interference, the whole purpose of this election will be lost. We wish them all the best. - S.H. Moulana, Riyadh
Letters to the editor - Helping Pakistan
