Hidden agendas govern world order
I ask myself — what excuse would countries come up with, to spend money on weapons, if there were no wars in the world (‘Facebook video: Which countries spend the most on weapons?’, Gulf News, September 16)? The US is not only spending a great deal on weapons, it is also one of the major countries to export arms. I feel the US is okay with seeing war everywhere, as it keeps their main business alive. It seems they are creating poverty and forcing nations to submit in the name of money and power. Then, hypocritically, the US President speaks out for peace. It doesn’t matter who the president is, as nothing really changes. It’s just a name, and the strings are being pulled somewhere else.
From Mr Vittorio Turchiarulo
Dubai
Facebook comment
Domination isn’t practical
Actually, there is a war in the world against terrorism. It does not involve just one country, which has made the situation even more difficult and complex. I believe the people from the US who are selling weapons overseas, are doing so illegally and many are not unauthorised to do so. Countries stockpiling weaponry are driven by either paranoia or a hidden ambition. Most have crooked leaders who still believe in world domination, and refuse to acknowledge that independence among nations is a better alternative.
From Mr Hector Belarmino
UAE
Facebook comment
Makes no sense
Instead of feeding or sheltering the homeless and providing free or affordable healthcare, these countries buy weapons. It makes total sense. Sometimes, I just feel this planet is doomed.
From Ms Kristin Rachel Cregar
UAE
Facebook comment
Budget issues
What a waste of money! It’s so sad that so many innocent people are ruled, in some cases, by an uneducated government that doesn’t know where to use their billions.
From Mr Ridwan Bin Omar
Dubai
Facebook comment
Lucrative business
If people are wondering why peace is not prevalent, this spending will show you why it is not. War is a lucrative business and some countries just thrive off it. It is usually paid for by the poor.
From Mr Abdin Ahmad
Dubai
Facebook comment
Too much money involved
It’s a massive industry that hasn’t been able to slow down since the Cold War. Now, there is so much money involved that it’s hard to break that momentum. I definitely think that there is a direct influence on peace in the world, associated with the manufacturing of weapons. A lot of these weapons end up in the wrong hands.
From Ms Lili Maria
Dubai
Facebook comment
A discussion is needed
At least we have male Emirati nurses who will speak out about the situation of fellow colleagues (‘Male Emirati nurse calls for more of his ilk’, Gulf News, September 17). Some people might not understand what all the fuss is about and think that it’s normal for men to be nurses. However, the UAE is a country catering to several cultures, some of which, are conservative, with different rules when it comes to handling patients of the opposite gender.
From Mr Jon Zenitram
UAE
Facebook comment
A profession of caring
Nursing is all about caring. There doesn’t have to be a gender preference, when caring for someone.
From Mr Xbato Pik
UAE
Facebook comment
Respect for all
It is not that the Philippines is against Muslims; there are just too many threats in Davao City right now (‘Show face to cops, Muslims in Philippine city ordered’, Gulf News, September 16). People have to be very vigilant in the current situation, so that bombings don’t happen again. Please, don’t use Islam just to make a point, because Filipinos respect everyone.
From Mr L. Lee
Dubai
Facebook comment
What’s the problem?
It’s one of the security measures that has been taken. So what, if a Muslim woman shows her face to a female police officer? It happens in other countries, too. Nothing wrong in that.
From Mr Sultan Khail
Al Ain
Facebook comment
The wrong track
This is not a good sign. Suddenly, it seems the Philippines President is focusing on so many different issues. Most of them are right, but a few are not right, such as isolating Muslims in the country, and interfering in their beliefs and practices. Rodrigo Duterte is on the wrong track here, despite being an intelligent man. It is time to correct his approach on this. There are millions of Christian Filipinos living and working in the Muslim world and they are treated well and respected for their beliefs and customs. Muslims in Philippines should be given the same courtesy.
From Mr Shahid Iqbal
UAE
Facebook comment
For the safety of all
The country belongs to both those who wear a burqa and those who don’t, so everyone should cooperate with the law enforcement agencies so that they can eradicate terrorism. After all, it is for the safety of all. It’s like showing or unveiling your face in front of the doctor, which people do.
From Mr Tajik K.
UAE
Facebook comment
Attacks hurt everyone
What’s the harm in it? It’s a matter of safety and security. When a bomb explodes, it doesn’t discriminate by faith — all suffer, irrespective of their religious beliefs.
From Mr Omeed Mohammad
Dubai
Facebook comment
Precautions
It’s not against the religion, it’s a precautionary measure because of the recent bombing in Davao City. Everyone should comply so that everyone is safe.
From Ms Anna Christina Santos
Dubai
Facebook comment
Accommodating women
I think that it’s a good idea for security reasons, but I think it should be done by police women, in order to accommodate Muslim women. This is not a question about the law, this is a question of how the country is executing the law. I think that’s a fair point to raise.
From Mr Eshan Dwin Tomarocon
Dubai
Facebook comment
For our protection
There’s nothing wrong with doing it for safety reasons. We must understand that if a female police officer is present to do these checks, then why argue? I would lift my niqab for a woman. It’s for our protection and the burqa is not mandatory in Islam. It’s not about removing it completely, it’s simply about lifting it for another woman, to verify you are who you say you are. Do you have something to hide? We are making a big deal out of nothing at this point, considering it’s banned in some places.
From Ms Khadija Chabou
UAE
Facebook comment
We must submit!
I think people should submit themselves during police inspections at checkpoints. Everyone must cooperate, regardless of their social and health conditions. This means that everyone is advised to support and cooperate, especially if this is for the security of all the constituents.
From Ms Charmaine Dalmacio Pana
UAE
Facebook comment
This isn’t love
When you get married, you marry because you love that person (‘Pakistani woman, boyfriend hanged for ‘extra-marital affair’, Gulf News, September 16). If he or she has a relationship with someone else, I personally would still not change my love for my spouse. I would only be sad and disappointed. I could not bear to lay a hand on my wife, because I love her. How do these people carry out these so-called honour killings?
From Mr Shan Balasooriya
Auckland, New Zealand
Facebook comment
Where’s the honour?
There is no honour in murder. Sometimes, I doubt whether people have basic moral and ethical values. How can they talk about honour?
From Ms Fatima S. Dhanani
UAE
Facebook comment
Raising concerns
I don’t know why people don’t understand, there is no honour in murder. Murder is murder. I’m glad that Gulf News raises these concerns. I would be happy for the newspaper to show concern for all countries that are struggling with the issue of honour killings.
From Mr Mohammad Omar Khan
UAE
Facebook comment
Uplifting citizens
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated his 66th birthday with tribes and this was good to read (‘Modi celebrates birthday with tribals’, Gulf News, September 18). Ever since Modi became Prime Minister, he has spent his birthdays and other important festival holidays with people, showing he is different from others. His main focus was to uplift certain communities like the Dalits, tribals and others. Kudos to Modi.
From Mr K. Ragavan
Bengaluru, India
Editor’s note: Is there a news report that you feel strongly about? Something that has to be addressed in the community and requires resolution? Email us on readers@gulfnews.com. You can also post a comment on our Facebook page or tweet to us @GNReaders.
