This is with reference to Verbal pyrotechnics by Mariam Musharraf Shah. I agree with some of the complaints that the writer has, regarding the older generation not accepting modern trends. I am not a teenager, but when I was young I used to go through the same ordeal, constantly criticised by my elders. I can totally understand the writer’s point of view.

Another thing that she has stated is that we still respect our traditional values. At the risk of being offensive here, the aggressive tone that she has used in the article in no way shows that she is addressing the older generation. I completely understand the cause of this rebellious attitude, but no matter how harsh or angry our elders may be towards us, we have no right to get back at them in such a rude manner.

MEHREEN TANWIRI
Karachi

(II)

This is with reference to the article Verbal pyrotechnics penned by Maryam Musharraf Shah. I was vastly disillusioned to read what Ms. Maryam wrote about the mindset and 'insecurity' of 'old fashioned aunties'. I myself am a teenager and I fully agree with her that we are the generation of today and that our world is indubitably advancing at a pace that is incredibly hard for the past generations to keep up with. Along with this reality, this truth should also be firmly instilled in our minds that our parents or grandparents have seen the world much more than we have.

Their objection to being clad in short shirts is absolutely justified as our religion does not allow women to dress indecently.

The past generations unquestionably do not see the youth of the 21st century as 'rebels'. Instead, they want to see us transformed into better individuals than they were.

We have to make this point crystal clear in our minds that our elders do not have a sense of insecurity! They are just protective about us so that we do not fall prey to any sort of malevolence and immorality.

Ayeza Sumsam
Karachi

The traps

One of my readers while expressing his views on my column The traps has rightly opined that the story of Alexander’s ventures in search of the Aab-i-Hayat is a fable. No doubt, it is a fable. However, all fables can’t be dismissed as trivial tales. Sufis teach through creative stories.

This is their way of teaching. For that matter, all religious books reveal or impart wisdom through stories.

It was an extract from a great Sufi book, Sikandar Nama-i-Bara written in Persian by Abu Muhammad Bin Yousuf Bin Muayyad-i-Nizamudin in 1200AD. The version I have is in English. It was translated by Captain H. Wilberforce Clarke, and was published in 1881 in Britain. The wonderful book that depicts the travels of Alexander the great in captivating poetic prose is a voluminous one, and runs into 831 pages. Its each page has a mystic message.

Amar Jaleel

To Sir, with (no) love

This is with reference to Mr Tarar's article To Sir, with (no) love (July 8, 2007). I fully agree with the writer that there is no use destroying our own infrastructure in order to register our protest against Rushdie's knighthood. Mr Tarar is absolutely right when he says that the issue shouldn’t bother us. The British government has made a mockery of itself by bestowing the title on somebody who indulges in hate-mongering.

We are giving undue attention to Rushdie who hardly deserves it. What he really deserves is to be relegated to the dustbin of history where people like him belong. I am afraid that by venting our anger in the form of violent protests we will end up serving his cause.

Zertashia Arif
Lalamusa