Letters to the editor, September 23

The world’s drift towards darkness

The writing is clearly on the wall: almost every country in the world is drifting towards either anarchy or fascism. Ultra-nationalism and one-party tyranny are the new bullies on the global block.

Freedom of expression never truly existed in the Arab states, in Russia, in China, and in many other countries. But at least most European nations once maintained some semblance of democracy. That, however, has steadily eroded since 9/11.

Now each country flexes its muscles, fortifying borders and turning inward. Outsiders are cast as enemies, visas are increasingly denied, and “white” countries are slamming the doors on Black and Brown refugees – all while conveniently erasing the colonial history of plundering Africa, South America, and South-East Asia.

The US, once boasting of being both the steel wall of the global economy and the capital of democracy, is now trending rapidly towards authoritarianism – even civil war. If it happens, it could make the first Civil War between North and South look like a trivial sporting clash in comparison.

Australia, once known as a prison colony, seems to be reverting to that mentality, busying itself with petty bans such as outlawing the hijab under the guise of “liberation.” India, meanwhile, hides behind economic growth figures while staggering unemployment and growing authoritarianism undermine its democratic foundations.

Across the globe, freedom of speech, association, and activism is being strangled. Even the written word, once considered holier than martyr’s blood, is under assault. It feels disturbingly like a return to the Dark Ages, when walled cities shut out not only physical threats but also foreign ideas.

Here at home, despite poverty, corruption, homelessness, crime, and economic decline, we must fight to preserve our democracy. It is a priceless commodity that other once-iconic nations have forgotten or cast aside – often in the pursuit of money, power, and the trampling of human rights. | Ebrahim Essa Durban

Ghost workers steal jobs from the living

Your edition of Thursday, september 18 – “National Treasury Probe reveals Ghost Workers at Public Service” refers:

The very small sample of a very few departments within government has shown us that ghost workers in the public service is rife. Our government over the past at least 20 years has made a mockery of civil service to the people.

If one actually does a full 360º investigation you will probably find that that probe is just the tip of an iceberg. It is even more shocking when one understands that 40% of South Africans can’t find jobs.

Here we see jobs given to “ghosts”. Not only is it a waste of money and an incredible shame but it is so destructive to thousands and thousands of South Africans. | Michael Bagraim Cape Town

Modern-day Pharoahs

The world is in chaos and those responsible ironically claim to be our saviours.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel managed the slaughter of 100 000 Palestinians; most of them innocent woman and kids. Ironically, Netanyahu tells the world and Jews that he is our saviour.US President Donald Trump who actively supports the Palestinian geno­cide wants to convince the world that he is our crusading Christian saviour.

The Arab royalty and those who claim leadership in the Muslim world have exposed themselves as weak or unwilling to stop the genocide in Palestine. Arabs choose luxury above “Jihad”, which is required by the Qu’ran to defend the innocent Palestinians.

Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities are confused and mistrustful which is exactly what the corrupt godless political and economic leaders’ desires and plans are.

Among the Jews, Christians and Muslims are some who rise above the propaganda and indoctrination, and fight back for the sake of justice, truth, and peaceful co-existence.

Sadly, the media and their pro­pogandists are powerful and ubiquitous and are determined to undermine justice, truth, and peace with falsehood and deception.

When truth-tellers advocate justice, truth and peace, those in power enact laws to protect tyranny and harm the innocent by abusing their authority and influence.

In the US, the situation is so corrupt that when you speak about the Palestinian genocide you are labelled anti-Semitic and face legal issues and jail time.

The corrupt in authority seek to silence truth with falsehood by using fear.

Historically, God instructed the Prophet Moses to challenge Pharaoh, who embodied falsehood and tyranny. Jesus the Messiah and the Prophet Muhammed received similar instructions: Establish the worship of one God, destroy falsehood, and establish truth, justice, and peaceful co-existence among humankind.

Moses, Jesus, and Muhammed all operated under the threat of death and were betrayed by those who wanted to benefit from the ruling elite.

Trump, Netanyahu and the Arab rulers of the Middle East are the Pharaohs of our time: They threaten and kill truth tellers and subjugate justice and peace.

They are godless and the Palestinian genocide verifies that everyone involved only worships themselves or something else, but clearly not the God of the Torah, Bible and Qu’ran. | Cllr Yagyah Adams Cape Muslim Congress

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