Reader's corner
The other
Sir-- When a prominent Islamic thinker like Mohamed Emara says in his latest book that Christians are unbelievers, and that killing them is not wrong, it comes as no surprise that Muslims in the Egyptian village of El-Ayyat burn Christians' homes and loot their shops, just because they tried to build a church. Emara's controversial book was published by the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, an organisation affiliated to Al-Azhar which is funded by the taxes paid by both Muslims and Christians.
To pretend that everything is just fine leads us to nothing. A gap does exist between Muslims and Copts, and has been getting wider since the early 1970s. The real problem is that people misunderstand the essence of their religion. Bigotry and prejudice obstruct any real understanding. We must encourage open- mindedness, objectivity and enlightenment.
Is there a way out of this impasse? Certainly. Schools and religious establishments can play a pivotal role in eliminating tension between Muslims and Copts. School textbooks must be revised to eliminate any denunciation of Christian beliefs. We have to teach young children, both Muslims and Copts, how to be tolerant and accept each other. Any form of discrimination against Copts must be abolished. It is the duty of intellectuals and men of religion to remove misconceptions with a view to creating a new generation that is able to accept and respect "the other", regardless of any differences. The future of this country depends on how well we are able to understand each other.
Atef Amin
Assiut
Egypt
Frankenstein lives
Sir-- Recently, the British government, in violation of European law, overturned its ban on the creation of human-animal embryos.
The draft of the Human Tissue and Embryos Bill would allow scientists to create a chimeric embryo by injecting cells from an animal into a human embryo, and a human transgenic embryo by injecting animal DNA into a human embryo. The first somatic cell nuclear transfers is named after the chimera, the fire- breathing female monster of Greek mythology who had a lion's head, a goat's body and a serpent's tail.
On a biological level the pre-natal being is not like any other tissue: it is human with its own DNA indicating that, as a human, it has the same fundamental and moral right to life as any other human being. The proposed therapy performed on early human embryos is immoral because it alters forever the basic genetic constitution of the person and all of his or her future offspring.
Amazingly, although embryonic stem cell experiments have failed to produce a single, unqualified, therapeutic success, even in animal models, supporters of the embryonic model continue to laud their unproven and currently unethical methods and ignore the fact that adult stem cell therapies are being used extensively today in treating diseases.
We must help those who are suffering, but we may not use a good end to justify an evil means. Human beings are not raw materials to be exploited or commodities that can be bought and sold. To suggest otherwise is to endorse a macabre interpretation of progress. Pure and simple, this latest method of genetic manipulation is nothing more than Frankenstein science.
Paul Kokoski
Ontario
Canada
Horses in horror
Sir-- I recently returned from a two-week trip to Egypt. While the Pyramids, tombs and temples were incredible, I will forever be haunted by the images of the poor work animals that are severely uncared for and mistreated, particularly in Luxor and Aswan.
The horses who are left hitched to the buggies 24 hours a day for days or weeks at a time, unable to stretch or lay down, are pathetic. Being a horse owner, I know what a healthy, well-cared for horse looks like. These animals were atrociously mistreated with sores, and much worse, that go undoctored. Many are listless and lethargic due to the lack of basic needs.
Many are woefully underfed having to eat with the bit in their mouths from a feedbag when they eat at all. The skin hung over their ribs like tissue paper. In a week along the Nile, never once did I see a person give a horse a drink of water, and this was in 90-100 degree heat. One horse was in real distress, its flanks sucked in from lack of water, ribs heaving as it laboured to breathe just standing still.
This situation is an abomination to the animals of the world and something needs to be done to alleviate the suffering of these horses and donkeys. First and foremost, I implore tourists to not pay for a ride in these buggies. Don't hire anyone whose horse's ribs are visible. If there is no market for mistreated, underfed horses to pull carts, it will lessen the problem. At least they will be working in the fields where it seemed that some were unhitched and turned loose at night.
Secondly, Egypt needs to seriously address the issue of educating their citizens on the proper care of their animals. If the horses are well fed and appear to have some energy, tourists are much more likely to utilise their cart for a ride. These animals are living, breathing creatures that deserve to live a pain- free existence. There should be enforceable laws that allow charitable organisations to remove animals from abusive, uncaring owners.
I realise that when many adults and children have only the barest necessities for life many people may not think the mistreatment of animals is a high priority. I can assure you that the majority of Americans who visit Egypt have a pet. When those pet owners see the misery of these poor animals, it is my hope that they will unite and refuse to support the buggy ride business. People do have a means to rise above their conditions.
Finally, if Egyptians are serious about wanting more tourism to boost their economy, they need to find a way to make sure their animals are in better condition. The thoughts of these poor, listless horses with empty eyes staring blankly into space are embedded in my mind forever. I've seen horses with fire in their eyes, prancing around and snorting out of sheer joy at being alive. Most animals in Egypt don't have that opportunity. For many just living another day, starving and thirsty, while pulling a cart in 100 degree heat is their only accomplishment. And, for many, death would be a welcome event that ends their suffering.
Kathleen Silver
Colorado
USA
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