Dear Sir,
Aleppo has been obliterated by the Russian and Syrian forces, in a destructive military onslaught unprecedented in the annals of high-tech warfare. This once beautiful city now resembles ruins beyond human comprehension. Bodies and faces are frozen in expression of horror. Every facet of this brutal war was a crime against humanity, a violation of international law and a crime against humanity. Several nations remained indifferent as this monumental tragedy unfolded.
Innocent civilians were destroyed like vermin. This is the 21st century, not the middle ages. How could the world remain silent? History reminds us that over the past 100 years, neutrality has helped only the oppressor.
When Aleppo was “liberated”, Assad’s shadow caused darkness to fall upon Syria. He slew civilians with cluster bombs and burned them alive with barrel bombs, and finally exterminated them with a variety of chemical weapons. What a hollow victory!
Farouk Araie, Johannesburg
Restaurants too are overcharging
Dear Sir,
S S Nair’s letter on “poor quality and high prices of cooked food in super markets” (Gulf Times, December 14) is timely and reveals how customers are charged more at some of Qatar’s outlets.
I wish to add that the restaurants are no exception.
To make more profit, they too are not far behind the supermarkets in charging high prices for low quality food.
As thousands of expatriates arrive in this country to work on FIFA World Cup 2022 projects, Qatar needs more eateries that offer quality food at reasonable prices.
Entrepreneurs need to be encouraged to open new restaurants at various locations.
Officials can continue their strict vigil to ensure that these outlets offer only quality food and the charges are not only reasonable but also affordable.
Absence of competition encourages the restaurant operators to charge exorbitant rates and force the customers to accept what they offer.
It may not be out of place to mention here that several restaurants do not provide drinking water for free.
Almost all of them charge more for bottled water. Customers have no choice but to succumb to such tactics.
Consumers expect the restaurants to offer free drinking water and the option to buy bottled water should be left to the discretion of customers.
V Kalyanaraman, (e-mail address supplied)
Noble gesture for Afghan boy
Dear Sir,
I was moved beyond words and emotions ran high when I saw little Murtaza Ahmadi clinging on to the football legend Lionel Messi. This is what makes world a more humane place.
I would like to say hats off to the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, QFA and all the authorities who have been responsible for this noble gesture of bringing the little boy from Afghanistan to this lovely country during the “Match of Champions” and letting him live his dream. The image will stay for long in my mind as I am sure in many other minds as well. The image of Murtaza playing football, wearing a plastic carry bag “jersey” with Messi written on it had moved the world and the legend himself. Hope these gestures put a healing touch on millions of kids who are suffering the ravages of war, natural calamities and poverty the world over.
Hope each little kid can dream similarly and there are good and kind people around to fulfil their dreams.
Dr Tariq W Kureishy, (Address supplied)
