Dear Sir,
The death of Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani is a big blow to reformists in Iran as he was considered a moderate in the country’s polity. His death has come at a most crucial time when Iran had signed a landmark nuclear deal with world powers and a new US administration under President Donald Trump is scheduled to take power.
Rafsanjani was one of the voices of political realism and moderation in Iran who played a very important role in the election of reformist Iranian leader Mohamed Khatami. When the Shah of Iran was removed from power, Rafsanjani was a pivotal figure in laying the foundation of the Islamic Republic in 1979. Even at the ripe age of 82, he was very influential and hardliners found it very difficult to overcome him politically. His demise also deprived fellow pragmatist leader Hassan Rouhani of a close and important ally.
The late Ayatollah will best be remembered by the people of Iran for rebuilding Iranian economy which was devastated because of the decade-long Iran-Iraq war and the punishing sanctions on account of its nuclear programme.
Today when oil prices have come down, Iran has to cut down its spending on weapons and eschew its policy of confrontation. This will help reduce tension in the region and help all countries in the Middle East to spend more money on the welfare of its citizens.
Ramesh G Jethwani
Bengaluru, India
Parking woes for shoppers
Dear Sir,
Several supermarkets, hypermarkets and shopping malls are opening in Qatar on a regular basis. It is a welcome development as the country’s residents have now plenty of shopping avenues but the lack of parking facilities has made life difficult for shoppers as well as people who reside near such business establishments.
In a locality like Umm Ghuwalina new outlets are opening without any provision for ample parking facility. In some cases where parking is provided in the basement, it is very difficult to take cars there because of the narrow and dangerous curves of the passageway that leads to the slots.
At one of the newly-opened hyper markets in the area the lack of proper lighting and drainage have made the parking facility hardly usable.
Authorities concerned are requested to look into these problems faced by the residents. It will be better to ensure shopping outlets have the necessary facilities before they start operations.
Z Bhatt
Doha
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