The scourge of intolerance
I think the problem with racism, in its broader sense, is ignorance (“Facebook debate: Is racism the world’s most destructive problem?”, Gulf News, March 26). Adding ‘ism’ onto the end of everything and declaring it unwaveringly wrong is not the answer. There is a lot of subjectivity at work when it comes to race, religion, gender, disability, political views, and so on. A lack of willingness to engage in open, honest discussions to learn about the other side of the story is the world’s most destructive problem and, I think, at some point or another, even the most enlightened of us is guilty of this from time to time. From Mr Ben Adamson UAE Facebook comment
Design laws and policies
L ook at how Singapore implements its anti-racism law. The Constitution of the Republic of Singapore promises equality to all persons before the law. Racism is all over the world, but when strict laws and penalties are put into effect, many will abide by them. From Mr Jonjon Zenitram UAE Facebook comment
Money makes a difference
R acism springs from economic inequality, though I must say that economic inequality is not the main cause of racism. Try to racially profile a person who has a better economic status than you, then you will realise what I mean. Which race has a better economic status? Which nationality has better economic advantages? Economic inequality is more widespread than you think. In the battlefield or even in real life, no one would dare to bully or discriminate a much larger opponent, and that is a fact. From Leo A Mamaclay UAE Facebook comment
What do bigots notice?
P erhaps economic inequality is one contributor to racism but, to say it is the main cause, ignores a much more complex issue. Racist people do not see money; they see the colour of your skin. Look at the US, for example. You have black people all over the country being profiled by police and others, regardless of their income or standard of living. From Mr Jack Grisham Los Angeles, US Facebook comment
In harmony with others
I f every person follows his religion exactly the way he/she is supposed to, racism would slowly come to an end. I believe no religion in the world supports racism, and every faith teaches peace and equality. I feel sad that most followers of various religions are not fully aware of the teachings of their faith, and are just influenced by some racist agendas. Never be swayed by preachers who are out to spread hatred.
The Quran mentions that if someone kills even one person, it is as if he has killed the whole of humanity.
Unmistakably, there may be some political leaders/preachers who share wrong definitions or interpretations, and spread inaccurate information instead. In my opinion, currently, Muslims are more affected by this kind of thinking, because there are non-Muslims who believe that Islam hates other religions and their followers. However, the best and truest version of Islam is free from racism. In the UAE, for example, we see Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Christians and people from other religious denominations living in harmony and peace. From Mr Abood Al Romancy Abu Dhabi Facebook comment
Frame of mind
D iscrimination is also about a state of mind — when a group thinks they are the best. From Mr Midhun Dharmaraj Dubai Facebook comment
Actions speak volumes
R acism is everywhere. Once, my friend and her colleagues were having lunch in their company’s pantry, when their manager walked in on them and commented that their food stinks. It is such statements that are unwarranted or uncalled for. From Mr Eric Vergara Laguna, Philippines Facebook comment
Just a distraction
I believe the concept of racism was created by weak-headed leaders as a distraction technique to help them deal with political or economic problems. From Ms Pramila S. Raj Dubai Facebook comment
Society’s malaise
R acism cannot be eliminated at any cost. Many people, depending on their race or origin, have been denied an opportunity for job interviews due to the existence of racism. From Mr Phaizol Mukfai UAE Facebook comment
What Islam says
O ne of the things I love about Islam is that it forbids racism. Muslims are one big family that look out for each other. Prophet Mohammad [PBUH] said: “An Arab has no superiority over a nonArab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab; also a white person has no superiority over a black person nor does a black person have any superiority over a white person, except by piety and good actions.” From Mr Ameen Ali UAE Facebook comment
Diverting attention
N owadays, the world’s most destructive problem is corporate greed that causes wars, and diverts the focus of humanity from priorities such as health, food, security and development. From Mr Sultan Kingji India Facebook comment
Make connections
W e need bridges around us, not walls. A person who sees another human being as being inferior to him or her is unacceptable. From Mr Stephen Tomusange Kampala, Uganda
Parent’s advice
I am a parent and I know quite well what children go through emotionally (“School in shock after three deaths in three years”, Gulf News, March 21). Let me, first of all, state that the pressure is often on the part of the school.
Every teacher in every class tries to tell students how tough their subject is.
It is indeed very clear that the education system puts a lot of pressure on our children. From Mr Jikky Renji Mathews Dubai Facebook comment
What if it is stolen?
W ould airlines reimburse passengers for a damaged/stolen laptop or tablet (“Daesh plot fears prompted device ban, says US”, Gulf News, March 23)?
The handheld gaming devices usually keep small children from running amok during 13-hour flights to John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport in New York, US. From Mr David Bozetarnik UAE Facebook comment
Safety in all airports
S ince direct flights from the Middle East to the United States and United Kingdom have been impacted, apparently to ensure safety, shouldn’t this ban apply to all airports worldwide, so that every single passenger on a plane is safe?
It would then be a proper security measure rather than just targetting certain nations or nationalities, which is what this looks like. From Ms Ann Tak UAE Facebook comment
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