Chaos and anarchy are the twin realities of Afghanistan

Readers discuss Afghanistan, Ikea, Islam and safety standards

The war in Afghanistan is a never-ending story with different versions, but the same stage with the same cast. Mohammad Ismail / Reuters

I refer to your article, Kabul attack: the complex calculations at work in Afghanistan's new theatre of conflict (January 28). This is a never-ending story with different versions, but the same stage with the same cast. No concrete effort is made by anyone to resolve the issue except free lip-service. Vested interests are prime movers there. Chaos and anarchy have been ruling Afghanistan for a long time.

Nazim Hasan Khan, India

Deciding a baby's fate is never easy

In reference to your article British judge rules 11-month-old can have intensive care withdrawn (January 30), although heartbreaking, I feel this decision is the best one for the baby, who otherwise does not and will not have any quality of life whatsoever.

Raj Jheeta, Al Ain

Metallic objects should never be allowed near an MRI machine

In response to the article Indian man dies after being sucked into MRI machine (January 29), no metal whatsoever should be allowed anywhere near these machines. There should have been someone at the room entrance assessing everyone who goes near. These MRI scanners are never switched "off" as doing so can damage the equipment and is costly as it takes a week to turn them back on again. This was very negligent. My sympathies to the bereaved family.

Claire Sullivan, Abu Dhabi

Global awareness of Islam is superficial at best

Islam is a global religion embracing many cultures and nations, comprising more than 1.8 billion people. In the West especially, and around the world generally, we need now more than ever to understand where it is coming from and where it is going.

The conflicts in Bosnia, Afghanistan, Kosovo, Chechnya, Kashmir, Iraq and Israelis versus Palestinians, as well as the 9/11 attacks, have raised global awareness of Islam at a superficial level, but little effort has been made to understand the "real Islam" behind the headlines. The international media can educate and inform ordinary people about Islam through investigative journalism.

Samaoen Osman, South Africa

A fitting and evocative tribute to a man who changed our world 

I refer to your editorial Ingvar Kamprad: the man who revolutionised the way we live (January 30). It is a fitting and evocative tribute to the unpretentious personality who redefined the parameters of retailing and marketing in the world. His Ikea stores made millions of elegantly designed products, available at economic prices to billions of consumers across the world. When the industrial and marketing history of our times is written, his name will be mentioned with reverence, with the likes of Sam Walton who founded Walmart, Steve Jobs who founded Apple, Jeff Bezos who launched Amazon and Bill Gates who established Microsoft. Thanks for honouring a great entrepreneur of our times.

Rajendra Aneja, Dubai

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