http://arabtimesonline.com Add News en-US admin@arabtimesonline.com Sir, I am replying to an article in your newspaper in the Arab Times on Feb 7, 2009. The article ran as follows: "Total neglect has been observed on the supposed radiant Failaka Island, which represents ancient Kuwait, reports Al-Qabas daily quoting... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143466/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Tue, 10 Feb 2009 21:00:00 GMT Sir, I would like to refer to your article "Governor cold-shoulders bail-out for investment firms", in which the Central Bank of Kuwait governor is quoted as saying that investment companies within the State of Kuwait should deal with the impact of ... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143404/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Mon, 19 Jan 2009 21:00:00 GMT Sir, Should the USA blindly stand by Israel with obvious bias for the Israelis, ignoring the human plight of the Palestinians? Israel is portraying itself as a victim instead of the perpetrator, and even flagrantly ignoring the precepts of the Gene... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143367/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:00:00 GMT Sir, In a column called "First Christmas" in Wednesday's Arab Times, the Reverend Thompson correctly notes that the Bible and the Quran both include similar narrations about the birth of Jesus (whose name is Iesa in Arabic), peace be upon him. There... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143324/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Wed, 17 Dec 2008 21:00:00 GMT Sir, I read in Friday's edition of the Arab Times that the US government had asked Kuwait to contribute 40 billion dollars in "financial aid" to help in its attempt to prevent the US economy from sliding into a deep recession. Today more than ever, ... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/143279/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Mon, 24 Nov 2008 21:00:00 GMT Sir, I have often asked myself how safe we are at the hands of the thousands of security guards in Kuwait. You see them at every corner, entry, exit, in the shopping malls, university colleges and recreation areas. But who are they, what kind of tra... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142930/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Fri, 13 Jun 2008 21:00:00 GMT Sir, I would like to address the article in your paper yesterday that discussed the impending increases in tuition in all British, American and French private schools in Kuwait. I have no problem with this increase in tuition, as a parent of childre... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142909/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sun, 10 Feb 2008 21:00:00 GMT Sir, Motorists are often urged to drive safely. This is a sane approach to avoid road-accidents. But what happens when a safe and rational driver is not the cause of a road-accident, on the contrary becomes an unfortunate 'victim' of a road accident... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142877/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Wed, 30 Jan 2008 21:00:00 GMT Sir, There is an article in the 'Science' section of Friday, Jan 25 edition of the Arab Times which reports that "US scientists have taken a major step towards creating the first ever artificial life form." This article is based on the claim that it... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142863/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Fri, 25 Jan 2008 21:00:00 GMT Sir, I'm sorry that you think of this discussion in terms of our being "enemies"; that certainly wasn't my intent. And I don't know whether or not my response gained me any friends; to be honest, that wasn't - and isn't - my main concern. We are... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142854/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Mon, 21 Jan 2008 21:00:00 GMT Sir, Having read with much interest both letters of 'A concerned citizen and family', as well as those of 'Umm Abdullah' I wish to address a few points that they made. Firstly, I have to agree with 'a concerned citizen..' in that I too am worried ab... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142849/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sun, 20 Jan 2008 21:00:00 GMT Sir, This letter is in response to one written by Umm Abdallah. First of all, thank you Umm Abdallah for your response to my first ever published political article. I am so glad you wrote as you are exactly the type of person I would like to addres... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142834/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Tue, 15 Jan 2008 21:00:00 GMT Sir, I have recently returned from New Zealand, where I drove extensively both in one of the main cities and also along some of the inter-city highways. The contrast with driving in Kuwait was staggering. The maximum speed limit anywhere is 100kph, ... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142830/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sun, 13 Jan 2008 21:00:00 GMT Sir, Thank you for printing a really superb letter on page 8 of the Arab Times (Jan 8, 2008). The letter referred to the current political atmosphere in Kuwait and was addressed to His Highness the Amir and to His Highness the Prime Minister and to ... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142817/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Wed, 09 Jan 2008 21:00:00 GMT Sir, Message to His Highness the Amir, to His Highness the Prime Minister and to Her Excellency, Minister of Education and Higher Education. Part 1 I am a moderate Muslim Kuwaiti, and I think I speak for tens of thousands of other moderate Muslim... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142807/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Mon, 07 Jan 2008 21:00:00 GMT Sir, Condolence messages by the United Nations are ordinarily issued by the Secretary-General of the UN. But within hours of the assassination of Pakistan's Peoples Party leader Benazir Bhutto, twice Prime Minister of Pakistan, the UN Security Counc... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142798/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Wed, 02 Jan 2008 21:00:00 GMT Sir, A new era has dawned with a public role in governance in the UAE, which translates as a form of democracy which formulates a more formative democratic framework with the main focus on future development and the control remaining with governmen... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142680/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Fri, 23 Nov 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, I have been following with regret the titles of your recent news/articles on the PKK terrorist attacks against Turkish civilians and soldiers. In the Arab Times of Nov 1, as the latest example, you published the story with the title "Turks kil... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142639/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Fri, 09 Nov 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, I agree with some of the points in the letter in Tuesday's paper, dated Oct 9, regarding the Kuwait airport. It is a nightmare to get through the airport but it has improved on a small scale from what it was a few years ago. We, the people in K... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142574/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Mon, 15 Oct 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, Having been born in Kuwait, living here for more than 15 years, singing the national anthem of Kuwait everyday of my childhood, loving the Arabic food and learning Arabic the way I was brought up I never thought of leaving the country but, al... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142561/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Wed, 10 Oct 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, Firstly, the most important industry in this country currently amongst the citizens of Kuwait is the travel industry. We work in Kuwait, not live in Kuwait! I would like to highlight the outrageous aspects of Kuwait Airport. If you consider the... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142555/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Mon, 08 Oct 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, Today I have three things for the readers: the latest jokes, a synopsis of the American thriller movie of the earlier Eighties "Visiting Hours" and a synopsis of the outstanding Indian feature film of the late Eighties "Shakti." Two friends wer... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142545/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sat, 06 Oct 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, Wishing you a happy Ramadan. It is with a sad heart that I address this complaint to you. On Thursday I called your office and spoke to the head of the complaints department regarding the shameful plight of Kuwait University College of Adminis... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142501/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sat, 22 Sep 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir The Fine Balance by Aziz Mamuji could not have come at a more appropriate time (Arab Time; Sept 17), as the holy month of Ramadan encourages people to be humble, charitable and helpful. The thrust of his write-up was to make the people wary of d... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142488/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Wed, 19 Sep 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, Musharraf-BB deal is a hot topic these days in Pakistan. Much is being said and written on the subject. According to reports, US has backed up the deal, even Musharraf and Benazir have been endorsed as the next president and premier respectivel... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142447/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sat, 08 Sep 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, The real surprise is at the end of this letter. So I invite the readers to kindly read my letter till the end. After all, the viewers of the British satellite channel BBC World especially followers of Hardtalk Extra, may know what I want to say... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142419/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Wed, 29 Aug 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, The Arab Times on Saturday, Aug 18, 2007 flashed a news item saying that 1,000 people aged 15 and above in 91 countries have at random been contacted in person or through telephone about smoking and thereby it has been found out that Kuwait ran... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142405/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sat, 25 Aug 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, This is to let the concerned authorities in the Ministry of Health know about the situation of expatriate dentists working for the ministry. As known the majority of the work force here are the expatriates and very little or no issues are raise... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142371/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sat, 11 Aug 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, This is in reference to your story Kuwait admin move risks international school status Barbara Spilchuk suggests that that 'The move by the Ministry of Education to replace expatriate administrators in private schools with Kuwaitis "will effect... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142366/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Wed, 08 Aug 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, It's really admirable that your paper is pursuing the case of the striking Bangladeshi workers....but it is also sad that the Bangladesh embassy or the Social Affairs and Labour ministry is not taking action against the firm that employed the w... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142359/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Mon, 06 Aug 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, It is unfortunate that the recruitment of nurses to Kuwait being held in India now cost candidates a huge amount of Rs 4 lakh (equal to KD 3,000) to the recruiting agencies in Cochin, New Delhi, and Bombay. As we all are aware there has been so... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142353/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sat, 04 Aug 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, 2nd August is the most memorable date in my life, it will never be erased from my sane memory. It was on this date 17 years ago, on that fateful Thursday, Kuwait was invaded by Saddam Hussein's Iraq. I was caught in Kuwait City, at Maliya, next... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142343/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Wed, 01 Aug 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, Apropos a letter appearing in this column by Mr Attique Adnan (Arab Times, July 22), appreciating the unity of Pakistani lawyers community for supporting the cause of Chief Justice who was made non-functional by Musharraf. But what is surprisin... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142331/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sat, 28 Jul 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, I have just volunteered to join Father Thompson's Team to help the Bangladeshis who are starving to death and getting very desperate. 1300 people are being tortured because the Kuwait government is doing nothing, no one else can be blamed for t... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142312/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sat, 21 Jul 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir I am sitting at my computer reading the on line version of the Arab Times trying to understand how this new 8 pm curfew on work will unfold. If I go out shopping at 8.30 pm and wish to buy underwear, who is gong to serve me? As men are not allo... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142304/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Wed, 18 Jul 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, I thought of writing to you this email after reading in the Arab Times the following topic - 'Objectionable'; Kuwait may block Orkut. In my view, this site should be banned as I myself have been a victim of identity abuse. I was a member of t... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142296/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sun, 15 Jul 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, This is regarding the ongoing debate in your column about the Bangladeshi workers. I read the same with a lot of interest. I would like the congratulate the Arab Times for taking up the issue of the workers on a very consistent basis. And the s... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142290/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Fri, 13 Jul 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, I read with interest the letters complaining about the conditions in which many Bangladeshi or Indian workers are living and I too would like to see improvements in this area. Still, we should not forget that many of these workers came to Kuwai... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142283/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Wed, 11 Jul 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, As a British school teacher living in Kuwait now for 2 years I am appalled to read in your newspaper and hear directly from Rev Andy Thompson with whom I have been in touch the appalling conditions of these Bangladeshi workers What makes matter... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142274/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sun, 08 Jul 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, I am an American who has been living with my family in Kuwait for past 10 years and I was really moved by the story of the Bangladeshi low-paid workers who are being maltreated by their company by denying them their monthly salaries ... if at a... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142268/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Fri, 06 Jul 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, I have been following your story about the American teacher trapped in Kuwait. I have been following the same story on the Internet. At the present time there is Internet chatter about US troops coming into Kuwait to rescue Ms Phillips. What ... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142250/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Mon, 02 Jul 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, As regards the case of the trapped American teacher, I feel the sponsor at the school should try and help this teacher out rather than leave her to the unfair Kuwaiti Law. Furthermore it is sad, but normal, that the embassy will not intervene s... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142240/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sat, 30 Jun 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, I write with grave concern regarding the situation of the American teacher having a travel ban placed against her for such a trivial reason. Kuwait is now the laughing stock of the world and it is horrifying how a wealthy individual can exert h... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142234/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Fri, 29 Jun 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, What prompted me to write this article is the bold headline 'Ban on Indian maids to Kuwait' in your widely read paper. After having lived in Saudi Arabia and the UAE and now in Kuwait this is the first time I read about an Indian minister speak... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142228/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Wed, 27 Jun 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, The editorial by Mr Ahmed Al-Jarallah on June 23 describes the Catholic Church as being the pure form of Christianity. It is a common misconception in this part of the world that Catholicism is synonymous with Christianity, and that the Pope sp... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142216/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sun, 24 Jun 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, This is in reply to the letter in this column published June17 by Barkatullah Marwat  where in the opening sentence he gives a sad news of his leaving Kuwait for good.  No doubt I am happy that he leaves Kuwait voluntarily while still active in... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142196/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Mon, 18 Jun 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, Traveling by the public transport buses is becoming a horrible experience now a days, due to the nuisance of children throwing stones to break the glass window of moving buses. The kids also update their techniques timely. Now-a-days they use s... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142186/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sat, 16 Jun 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, ... and then we aspire to get the best education for our children. We search for reputed schools, modern and creative curriculum, proximity to our place of residence as far as feasible. First visit to school is often an embedded virtual tour t... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142171/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Mon, 11 Jun 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, Ah, the deep blue sea and the beloved (public) Messilah Beach! Charmingly sandy but incredibly dirty! At high tide, when the inevitable cycles of the Moon make the sea level lunatic and the water floods the beach, you must be ready to share you... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142163/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sat, 09 Jun 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, Our beloved government is sending messages to the masses, that we should save energy, put power off when not using, and: "If you love it, save for it." All that, instead of measuring the percentage of actual savings and whether or not that perc... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142152/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Wed, 06 Jun 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, Apropos a letter (by an anonymous writer) regarding an issue of polygamy Arab Times, May 24. I agree with the writer's point of view that there should be check on this issue creating confusion and problems to the Muslim men in general and citiz... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142139/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sat, 02 Jun 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, I foolishly visited the new Carrefour Hypermarket on Friday and was confronted with a titan of a problem. After I bought my groceries, I was told that it is forbidden to put my groceries in a shopping cart and take them to my car that was park... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142119/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sun, 27 May 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, Hegemony is the dominance of one group over other groups, with or without the threat of force, to the extent that, for instance, the dominant party can dictate the terms of trade to its advantage; more broadly, cultural perspectives become skew... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142110/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Fri, 25 May 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, I would like to congratulate the Government of Kuwait on it's wise decision to remove the dinar peg to the dollar. That the Government has decided to link it to a basket of currencies indicates that a lot of thought processes has gone behind t... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142105/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Wed, 23 May 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, Over the past year, several children have been physically, sexually and psychologically abused by a bus driver employed at one of the local private schools. The events unfolded this week, as we discovered our youngest child was one of those chi... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142087/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Fri, 18 May 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, I have lived in the Gulf for 30 years now - the last 12 years in Kuwait. I have been tempted many times to write to the Arab Times with a list of basic and fundamental points on simple corrections and improvements that could make Kuwait a con... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142076/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Mon, 14 May 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, The Government of State of Kuwait has declared an amnesty for "residence violators" in Kuwait. This permits those without valid residence permits to have their stay regularised, or have the option of leaving the country without any legal pro... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142070/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Fri, 11 May 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, Having visited and driven in, quite a few countries, driving in Kuwait has struck me as truly unique. Last week, I had a visitor and let me narrate my experience while taking him around. Driving from Salwa to Kuwait City early morning during... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142069/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Fri, 11 May 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, For everyone's satisfaction this letter is divided into three parts. The first part is a joke dedicated to the readers. This will be followed by a synopsis of the outstanding Indian movie of the early sixties "Humrahi" with Rajendra Kumar an... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142045/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sun, 29 Apr 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, For everyone's satisfaction this letter is divided into three parts. The first part is a joke dedicated to the readers. This will be followed by a synopsis of the outstanding Indian movie of the early sixties "Humrahi" with Rajendra Kumar an... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142044/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sun, 29 Apr 2007 21:00:00 GMT Sir, My late father (died on Feb 12, 2007) lived in Kuwait for 55 years - yet four years ago I had to run from pillar to post to get his dependent residence permit done. My brother/sisters and myself were all born in Kuwait - and like most ot... http://arabtimesonline.com/NewsDetails/tabid/96/smid/414/ArticleID/142043/reftab/69/Default.aspx John Fernandes Sun, 29 Apr 2007 21:00:00 GMT