Deafening silence over Salman remark

Readers express outrage over Salman Khan’s rape analogy. Rajanish Kakade / AP Photo

Letters to the Editor

In reference to your editorial Salman's shame (June 23), I was not as much surprised by the actor's rape remark as I was by the silence of the Bollywood community over the matter. Apart from Kangana Ranaut and Renuka Shahane, no one spoke a word against Salman.

Bollywood actors, especially the likes of Anupam Kher, are famous for making comments on every controversial issue within and outside Tinseltown. Yet, when it came to Salman, they were silent – not a word even on social media. It shows how morally bankrupt all these people are.

This silence is a sort of endorsement of what Salman said, which is shameful. It not just reflects the mindset of the average Indian, but shows where women stand in society.

Name withheld by request

For a man who claimed celibacy on a chat show, at age 50, this insensitive remark has hit a sore note with many in a country where the number of rapes is probably one of the highest in the world.

The one downside about being articulate is that sometimes you just end up saying the wrong thing. Also, stardom is fickle – you get both plaudits and brickbats.

AR Modak, South Africa

Salman can enjoy his celebrity status despite all this only because he lives in India.

Indian people as well as the media will continue to see him only as a great actor. The character doesn’t count. This is a pity.

Like some other outrageous incidents in the past involving him, this too will be forgotten and people will look forward to his new movies as they always do.

Name withheld by request

Not just a matter of gender

Why will it take time for Emirati women to fill the board seats at UAE listed companies (Governance in focus: Having more women in UAE company board seats to take time, June 23)? The pool of competent and willing Emirati women is already available.

It’s time to give them the learning experience. At the same time, we should be asking ourselves if numbers and gender really matter.

It’s quality decision-making, regardless of gender, that will make the difference on a board at the end of the day.

Laila Al Hassan, Abu Dhabi

Choosing the right board members is crucial to a company’s board success. In addition to your suggestions, board members should also be emotionally intelligent as well as exhibit the four roles of a leader: facilitator, expert, morale builder and integrator.

Courtney M, Dubai

Be careful with your money

Further to the comments on the article UAE expats count the cost after falling into investment trap (June 17), I'm amazed at the hard sell for financial instruments in this country ­– banks and investment fund managements.

Then one wonders why so many expatriates are in debt or leave without clearing debt. I am happy that my bank will give me a car loan or a personal loan if I go in and ask for it, but stop calling me every week trying to get me to borrow money, or to take out more than the amount that I need.

I work hard for my money – I won’t pay for financial services that I can survive without.

Ann Scholl, Dubai

Confusion over mosque name

The graphic on the world’s largest mosques is impressive (June 23).

However, the name of the mosque in Algiers is Masjid Al Djazair, not the Great Mosque of Algiers as mentioned. The Great Mosque is a smaller mosque. Masjid Al Djazair, situated along the north coast in the Bay of Algiers, will have the tallest minaret in the world at 237 metres when it is completed.

Mia Merry, Dubai