Tunisia example for Arab Spring countries

A reader explains why Tunisia is a shining example in the region. Other topics: taxis, gender gap in India, ISIL, illegal immigrants, BJP, obesity

A reader says the election in Tunisia serves as an example for other Arab Spring countries. Above, Rachid Ghannouchi, the leader of Ennahdha party, speaks in Tunis last week. Fethi Belaid / AFP

Tunisia, which initiated the Arab Spring, continues to be a democratic success story in the Arab world (Tunisia's shining electoral lesson, October 29).

Last weekend, Tunisians peacefully voted to change their government for the second time since the overthrow Zine El Abidine Ben Ali more than three years ago. (Notably, as political scientists point out, democracy begins to take root only when power is changed twice, not just once, via the ballots.) The winner was not the Islamist Ennahda party, but their secular rival, Nidaa Tounes.

Yet what really matters is not who won these elections. It is that Tunisians, as a nation, so far have been able to move forward with democracy, without devolving into civil war.

Moreover, unlike Turkey, which has been unable to draft a much-hailed “civilian constitution” yet due to political polarisation, Tunisia accepted a fairly liberal national charter last February with a broad national consensus. The civility of the Tunisian political elite, including the leader of Ennahda, Rashid Al Ghannuchi, has been key to this success.

Samaoen Osman, South Africa

Gender gap will harm India

I was saddened by the news that India has slid in gender equality ranking (India slips into 114 in gender gap, October 29). Gender inequality will hurt the country in every way.

One area where it will be felt most is the economy. The Modi government has every reason to address this issue with urgency.

K Ragavan, India

Joint effort can eliminate ISIL

Another generation will be deprived of food and water, while their children will be deprived of education (Erbil's party comes to an end as ISIL comes knocking at the door, October 25).

Why can’t these murderers be stopped? Where is the rest of the Middle East?

I think it’s possible to eliminate this evil force if the whole of the region comes together to fight it.

Name withheld by request

West burdened by illegals

In reference to your opinion article Gulf countries can teach the UK about migrants (October 29), the US has no problem with immigration and a path to citizenship. What many of us conservatives have an issue with is illegal immigration, which is not tolerated at all in the GCC.

Rick Hood, Dubai

Soft drinks are dangerous

I refer to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's editorial Let's slam dunk diabetes as one (October 31). I think apart from sedentary lifestyles, one of the reasons for the prevalence of this disease is that too many people here are addicted to soft drinks.

Imran Iqbal, Abu Dhabi

Will new taxis bring benefits?

Let's hope that this would be a smart resource allocation and not the opposite (New taxis ride into Abu Dhabi, October 27). Thumbs up for placing luggage in front.

Leen Ibrahim, Abu Dhabi

I wonder whether the fare will go up as well. There is no mention of it in your report.

Nicky Murgatroyd, Abu Dhabi

BJP is doing a good job

I refer to the report, India black money will stay secret ... for now (October 30). It is obvious that the black-money issue is putting a lot of pressure on the government. The decision not to make the names of the culprits public is fuelling chaos.

However, it’s hard to deny that the Modi government is trying its best to address this issue. It has submitted a list of the accused. It has also revealed a couple of names, for which the BJP government must be given credit. But corruption remains entrenched in India, especially in its political class. It becomes evident every time they are urged to declare their assets before an election.

It’s hard to catch them, especially because they do not have fixed income. Now that the cleaning process has begun, let’s hope for the best.

Ramachandran Nair, Oman