Letters to the Editor [Archives:2002/19/Letters to the Editor]
Why do leaders expect us to abide?
I agree with our brothers that our leaders are not fulfilling their promises to the people. It is their unenlightened rule that condemns us to the civilization crisis in which we find ourselves. How ironic it is that the Middle Eastern nation which grants its Arab citizens the most political freedom is Israel!
Why, oh brothers, do we not speak out on the blood of innocents spilt by Iraq and Syria?
The Palestinians and their plight are important, but we must not let them distract us from the problems we face at home. Why do we not match our funding for the martyrs with money for health care, education, and other development?
How Arab leaders can live with their own hypocrisy is one question. Why they expect us to do so is a better one.
Sharif Rehmanji
[email protected]
Not all Jews support Israel
I was pleased to read that the Jews in Yemen condemned the atrocities in Israel and the lands it occupies. As a British woman, I am shocked at how governments and the church in the West has been so silent when what has been done is against all international law.
Surely now it is time for Arab countries to welcome back Jews who immigrated to Israel. Many Arab Jews living in Israel do not agree with the actions of the Israeli government.
I have read in Yemen Times over the years that the Jews who left Yemen for Israel are not happy there, and still feel that their homeland is Yemen. It would reduce the Jewish majority in Israel if they returned, and also it would prove that the Arab nations are not anti-Semitic, but anti-Israel and anti-violence.
In Britain some of our most vocal critics of Israel are British Jews, and if their voice is heard loud and clear, it adds strength to the case against Israeli atrocities. I am sure that any Jews returning to live in Yemen would do the same thing.
Judith Brown,
Bristol, UK
[email protected]
We cannot return to the dark ages
Your editorial of April 29 on boycotting American goods was sober and thoughtful. If we eliminate all goods made and or invented in America, including the electric bulb, we will return to the dark ages. Was it Clinton who said that while the world was making micro chips, the Arabs were making potato chips?
Keep up the good work and continue to awaken the people to the real dangers and the real issues. God bless you.
Rashid A. Abdu, M.D.
[email protected]
Why treat Somalis this way?
Its my greatest pleasure to write to you about how I feel about Yemenis. I am a Somali national, who has faced the greatest problems in Yemen. I thought when I came to Yemen that I would be treated in a brotherly manner, but instead I was treated worse than our Muslim brothers and sisters of Palestine were treated. Is that what Islam instructs? Why should Yemenis treat us with such brutality and harassment? Have we offended them or do they just they hate fellow Muslims like us? Or is it because we came from Africa? Not only did I hate Yemen, but all Arab countries that have treated us so bad.
I realized that other nations are more humane than the brutal Arabs. Though my beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was an Arab, I just respect them for the prophet was chosen from them. I know that not all Arabs are brutal, but I also know that most of the Yemenis I met are.
Mohamed Yakafii
[email protected]
Stop exploiting native Yemenis
No one can deny that the private sector contributes to employment in Yemen. Thanks for those who perform their simple duties towards our lovable country.
On the other hand, many companies and owners exploit some of their employees, particularly native Yemeni. More so, companies can get rid of an employee at any time. They can be ruthless.
Those of us who are native Yemeni are really suffering, They dont only prefer foreign workers but they give them good salaries in American dollars without cutting governmental tax. Should we worship idols or caws to get the same salary? Or should we be foreigners?
I wonder, why are Moslems not glorified as Indians are in Yemen? We have the same qualifications and same abilities. We speak and write English very well. We are experienced and we can use computers. Are foreigners who worship idols or cows more devoted to their employers than Yemenis?
We are entirely destitute of justice. If cows helped Indians why would not
donkeys help us? I dont cows help Indians nor do I think donkeys will alleviate our suffering.
AbdulWahab A.Qawi Sofi
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