MY heart goes out to Zainab’s grieving family. However, Zainab’s parents should have thought better than proceed to Umrah leaving their precious flower in the care of a relative, be it a loving uncle.

I am in my twilight years and blessed with grandchildren. Yet, I firmly believe, that only parents can take care of their children. Of late I have noticed an increasing trend toward people proceeding for Umrah while leaving their little ones in the care of relatives.

This tendency shows that Umrah is more important for them than their children, whereas our religion gives more importance to human rights than false religiosity.

The parents’ first duty is to raise their children to be honest and upright Pakistanis putting in that little extra to make this country a haven for mankind. If they still want to perform pilgrimages, they should take their children as well.

Dr Muhammad Yaqoob Bhatti
Lahore

Published in Dawn, January 21st, 2018