Letters to Editors
The Media Desk contributes local, national and international news articles for the website and also focuses on news content of the Muslim world. etters commenting on broad issues are also regularly sent to the editors of newspapers Below are a few letters which were sent by the Media Desk and published in newspapers. Bias and negative reporting against Islam has become a very real phenomenon in the media, especially in the international press.
The Darul Ihsan Media Desk primarily monitors the media for Islamaphobic (anti-Islamic) comments and anti-Islamic sentiments made in the mainstream media and interacts positively with media portals conveying the Islamic perspective.
Media Response - “New anti-crime”
The Daily News
As a SA citizen, I am thrilled and excited once again by the “New anti-crime” among the many previous units that short-lived our crime ridden country.
I am again delighted by a positive move by government to fight crime. The situation has of course risen to an appalling rate. Hence something has to be done magically and majestically. However, probably the government needs to know that to combat crime, it requires eliminating the scourge of corruption at all levels. The morale of policemen needs to be instilled and quality on production lines must be of the highest standards. Unless the force is ill-equipped at all levels and unqualified to serve as new policemen the many more “units” will be a vicious circle. Talking of techniques used of the highest level and success in other countries is no solution except that we need to build a determined police force.
Junaid Essop
Media Response - Legalizing Prostitution
The Daily News
I wish to comment on the current debate with regard to the legislation/decriminalization of prostitution.
Media Response - condemned cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad (saw)
The Mercury
The condemned cartoons (by a Danish newspaper) of the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.) has
now found another avenue to breed the filth and obnoxious paintings via the net. It's being
sold on line.
Muslims are expected to remain silent and tolerate the insults as always pointed out to them by
the west and human rights groups. There was no need to trigger a fresh start to something
widely condemned by Muslims world over.
The respected authorities should take a stand in the matter and avoid further anger and
growing animosity in the Muslim world.
Junaid
Media Response - The Durban CBD shoot out
The Daily News
The CBD-Durban shoot out leaves the impression to all South Africans that criminals are many and well armed. Although police reaction to the scene was overwhelming, perhaps Mr Cele's opinion for police to use fire with fire is after all not an exaggeration . .
Undoubtedly police cannot lose any one member of the force, considering the huge investment poured in by the police department and of course the loss of a human life owing to some selfish criminals that don't really value human life but are unscrupulous in their want and material desire.
South Africans should cluster together and fight crime as a nation; and assist the police force and all agencies in the same circle
M Mota
Media Response - Inauguration Bash
The Daily News
I am making reference to the inauguration bash dubbed as “the mother of all parties”.
Indeed a very sad day for many South Africans especially for the poor, needy, unemployed, retrenched, underprivileged and hand-to-mouth families that come to hear of the millions spent at this occasion. This bashful event will perhaps see the glamour and glitter of “who's who on the top of the lists” as well as dignitaries from world over.
The dime and shine will be at the expense of some people's hard earned money since it’s not the ratepayers per se contributing to make all this happen. However, it’s the many hungry South Africans that would have to bear and go without food on this eventful day while others party to their fill. Why not consider a small “bash” - after all Zuma - will still be the President of S.A. Based on the reports – he's the People's man – caring and right down to earth.
M Mota
Media Response - Pakistan deal with Taliban
The Daily News
The Pakistani President’s signing a deal with the Taliban with regard to the North Western district should be seen as a positive move to overcome the increasing problems in the region. Those who wish to be ruled by their religious beliefs must be encouraged.
However it's possible that the US may want to derail the move since the West is pessimistic about Islamic rule. This was the case of Afghanistan during the rule of the Taliban. Unfortunately they were accused of all types of illegal activity with the drug activity high on the list.
The west has nothing to fear with regard to the Islamic legal system. While some “Muslims” may have a negative approach to the Islamic system, however majority of the Muslims world over would opt to fulfil their wish.
More...
Media Response - Popes Easter message
The Daily News
I wish to make reference to the respected Pope Benedict's Easter holiday message having said that “Iraqi Christians Easter in a country where thousands of the religion's followers have fled the majority Muslim nation since the Bush led invasion”.
Perhaps the respected pope should emphasize and expose the atrocities and genocide committed by the very people who turned the country into a total mess. Another point the respected pope should have made is the greed by some of the coalition forces for oil, albeit in the name of WMD – and by the way their pockets are overflowing as we speak.
And if time permitted, the respected Pope should have condemned the invasion of Iraq and highlighted the suffering of the Iraqi people.
Junaid Essop
67 Delta Rd.
Springfield
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Media Response - Prostitution
The Daily News
The Editor
Sir
I was not impressed with Fungai Machirori’s article: “Prostitution: What's good for the goose”.
Paradoxically, all religions of the world condemn adultery, fornication and illicit sexual activities. Sex outside marriage is never circumstantial and can never be compromised to its permissibility. Even the “Use a condom” attitude belied the very essence of ethics.
Come the world cup or any feature however big and prestigious, South Africa should never consider legalizing the “sex-workers” activity. This will set a precedent and would encourage their illicit behaviour as “acceptable” in the future. Surprisingly though if their activity was so called “permissible” or “acceptable” as some believe then there should be no debate whatsoever.
The authorities should not be too concerned with what happened in other countries during the world cup where sex-workers were active. Their serious concern should be to enforce strict laws crushing this abominable activity. Let South Africa pave the way to fight this scourge and eliminate prostitution.
However, as long as writers and reporters cushioned attitude and encourage this kind of “business” then it will become harder to fight the “acceptable” perception of prostitution.
M Mota
Newlands
Media Response - Killers On The Rampage
With reference to the two articles under the heading KILLERS ON THE
RAMPAGE (Thurs 12/03/09), it was quite a relief to see that this was not another
Terrorism Story.
The irony, however, is that despite the blood bath and so many
fatalities, the article plays down the actions of these people as a
"Shooting Spree". I wonder whether the tone and description would have
been different if Michael Mclendon and Tim K had been Muslim? Had
these ruthless killers come into contact with a Muslim, would they be
labeled terrorists instead?
It is strange that no Religious reference is made as is the case of
people with Muslim sounding names! Similarly, when so called Muslims
perpetrate actions which are frowned upon by Islam, the Religion is
put to trial. How is it that these killers' Religions escape scot
free?
What is the definition of Terrorism? It seems that the chief
ingredient in the definition of this word is Actions Perpetrated by
Muslims.
Muhammed Omarjee
for Darul Arqam (PMB)
Media Response - Trail of casualties
The Mercury
The Editor
Sir
The country is undergoing a trail of casualties. To name a few: violence in schools, the bus ordeal, corruption at the highest level, unstoppable crime, etc.
Dr Rajab's comment – although Durban related - has a direct impact on the entire country. The points raised are the very issues that need to be addressed by any government. For example, the filthy streets littered with all kinds of garbage and the perpetual stench in many places is typical of “Keep Durbs dirty”.
Perhaps municipalities should take pride in their work and begin removing the old look to cities and adopt a “zero tolerance” as their counterparts from the Transport Department to clean up cities. The laws are too relaxed and offenders are biting the bullet - a daylight robbery. Police are too relaxed in booking offenders albeit the second by second ticket fines – as if to say that it's the best and only thing they are good at.
The care and dedication required from the municipalities is often absent. Don't wait for 2010 – it may be too late.
Media Response - Hi-tech eye on car criminals
The Daily News
The Editor
Sir
I refer to the article “Hi-tech eye on car criminals" of 6 March 2009.
Someone needs to tell me the “Hi-tech” programme when there are so few policemen on the road especially on weekends. Police activity from a Friday afternoon until Monday morning is basically non-existence. I am probably referring to the Metro police because the SAPS don't and cannot fine motorist for bad driving even if the worst offence is spotted.
Maybe the police should define their portfolios so that we, the public are aware. It's like reporting a case of an accident at a police station outside the accident area. We hear of this on a regular basis and hence need the police authorities to address the issues.
Coming back to technology, you could bring in hundreds of cameras - by the way so many cameras are not working as we are told – without the manpower, it's useless and a waste of taxpayers money. A good example is the recent smash and grab at the Bellier and Jan Smuts Highway intersection -unfortunately the towering camera was out of order for long time
Junaid Essop
Media Response - Lawlessness on South African roads
The Daily News
The Editor
Sir
My plea to the government concerns the lawlessness on South African roads. Motorists are at a high risk – more deadly by the day. At least for now the taxis are governed by their own set of road laws.
The few police on the roads continue to ignore the violent taxis' drive by force. Not surprising, Metro Police would rather prefer ticketing non-taxi drivers because probably of their non-violent attitude.
Perhaps the government should take a survey among motorists to determine the behaviour of taxi driving. Non-taxi drivers are at the mercy of taxi drivers. Motorists are actually playing with death should they challenge the taxi drivers.
Something drastic should happen and government must take a firm stand. Root out bad driving from our roads. I would think that votes don't count more than safety on our roads. Our present system has failed us miserably and made life a living motorist's death trap.
Media Response - Guns Stolen From Police Station
The Editor
The Daily News
Sir
Guns stolen from a police station is definitely not on. The place where safety and storage of lethal weapons is never compromised; police have now become sitting ducks to criminals. One may ask whether such disturbing and daring criminal activity takes place - as often as it does in South Africa – in other countries. It is incidents of this nature that give criminals the licence to carry out such horrendous and brazen crimes. Police need to take cognizance of the fact that should they react with complacency, then God help us all.
Given the present situation in South Africa, I would think that the average citizen stands very little chance to survive an attack except that he is killed by criminals. When police become targets of such crime how does the ordinary citizen fair with the highly organized and well armed criminals.
Abdullah Anwar
Marino Heights
Durban
Media Response - Lawlessness
The Daily News
The Editor
Sir
Your front page caption of lawlessness speaks a million words. The problem is, when is our government going to take the issues of murder, crime, rape, etc. seriously.
The warning bells have been ringing for a very long time. The authorities have turned a blind eye to everything except talking big and creating new forums to address the issue. The empty talk syndrome has eventually led to the collapse of formidable systems.
Ironically, the present government in the move to win votes has addressed very little of the burning issues like crime and corruption. Wake up South Africa to a crime-free and corruption-free South Africa. We must start somewhere. Let KZN be the first to pave and show the way.
Hasan Ahmed
Media Response - Israeli Atrocities
The Times
Sir
I fully support the call to try Israel at the International Court for human rights atrocities against the Palestinian people. It is long overdue. Israel is guilty of the most horrendous acts of atrocities and inhumane behaviour since the Shatilla massacres.
I am extremely happy that Amnesty International has eventually awoken to the truth. I hope the investigation is not marred by Jewish influence as is always the case. The backing of the US is perhaps the stumbling block to fairness and justice.
M Mota
Media Response - Anti-Racism Conference
Sir
Please allow me to make reference to the Anti-Racism Conference scheduled for August 2009.
The mere fact that the US and Israel walked out at the last conference owing to “anti-Semitic” remarks spells out the inseparable bond between the US and Israel. It's not a secret any more and the same applies to the injustices against the Palestinians with both these countries in cahoots and in agreement to the horrendous injustices. The aggression against the Palestinians is as good as both these countries attacking the oppressive Palestinians.
The way forward is that, the conferences should go ahead despite the displeasure and the non participation of Israel and the USA. The world is not dependent on these two partners, in fact the world should consider boycotting them should their attitude not change.
Abdullah Anwar
