Readers' corner

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Best not to meet

Sir-- Even if I was an Algerian I would have appreciated Egypt's decision to not participate in sports activities with Algeria ('Presidential pardon' 26 November- 2 December, Al-Ahram Weekly ). The safety of our children and yours is more important than winning any game. The young Algerian generation is being raised in an environment which totally ignores the value of human life.

I would extend this decision to all Arab countries.

Ahmed Amrioui
Cairo
Egypt

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Football queries

Sir-- How come a game can spoil a relationship among siblings? What sins did Egypt commit to have its citizens humiliated in such manner? Millions of "whys" in my mind after that gloomy 90-minute match. Even though I am not a football fan, I am in bad need of answers.

And please, media, stop provoking the people.

Ahmed Abdel-Salam
Fayoum
Egypt

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That's that

Sir-- Please do me a favour: stop talking about Algeria. You lost in every way, not just a game of football, but your credibility as well.

Lionel Khelil
Paris
France

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Some not disturbed

Sir-- Islamophobia or xenophobia? (19-25 November, Al-Ahram Weekly ) contains much of the arrogance and self-centredness that causes Islamophobia. Perhaps the writer hasn't noticed but there are other many non- European immigrants from a diverse group of religions that aren't constantly complaining about being persecuted. That should tell you that perhaps it is you that need to adjust, not the other way around.

The author makes a list of hate crimes committed against Muslims to back her up, yet she ignores that an enormous amount of hate crimes are committed against religious minorities, women, and gays by Muslims and Arabs both in the West and the Muslim world. She ignores all hate crimes unless the victim is Arab and Muslim, and the perpetrator of European decent.

Joshua Andereas
California
USA

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Good at heart?

Sir-- Re 'The Bush curse' (19-25 November, Al-Ahram Weekly ) why is it that Obama "means well"? Because he talks nice and pretty; uses language that is soothing to liberals? In foreign policy matters he is falling right in line with post-World War II American policy script. Any differences in foreign policy/intelligentsia changes in Washington DC are normative, not structural. Spare me the pie in the sky bit.

Katrina Dunkley
London
UK