SLANDERING: Learned scholar Mufti Taqi Usmani, who has been a judge of the Federal Shariat Court, recently remarked that the believers have been strictly asked to avoid slandering each other. Doing so may only attract the wrath of Almighty. Those in the political arena should think twice — or more, if necessary — before opening their mouths.

Syed Safdar Hussain
Karachi

WATER CRISIS: The people of Balochistan are facing, among other things, a serious water crisis which is aggravating by the day. People struggle to get water for drinking and household use. The problem can be controlled if the leadership formulates a set of policies and takes concrete steps to save water, enhance its availability and address the factors that contribute to its wastage.

Asma Qasim
Quetta

PLANET AND HEALTH: The World Health Day was observed recently which this year focussed on the theme ‘Our Planet, Our Health.’ It is estimated that more than 13 million people die due to avoidable environmental causes and, therefore, the climate crisis is also a health crisis. Air pollution is a well-established risk factor for lung cancer. It is imperative that we must take steps, as individuals and organisations, to avoid fossil fuels. Let us remember that our health and our planet’s health are closely inter-related. We have to take care of each other to survive.

Mariam Khan
Lahore

TEMPTATIONS: The Americans have been going around the Muslim world offering ‘real, practical benefits’ to those normalising relations with Israel. Isn’t it strange that despite decades after having signed a peace accord, Egypt remains pathetically poor to the point that Arab neighbours keep pumping money into

its economy? It is just Muslim money heading towards Egypt. Of course, the United States assists, but it is nothing compared to what Israel gets. Sudan is another example in this regard. The others would do well to resist the temptation.

Angabeen Ahmad
Karachi

Published in Dawn, April 12th, 2022