I write in response to your article US war hero and former senator John McCain dies at 81 (August 26): The National's article on John McCain's death made for very sad reading. For three decades McCain was a devoted Arizona senator. But he was also a war hero who was liked and respected by people across the US political spectrum.
He had been suffering for a while with a brain tumour and a couple of days ago, he put a stop to his treatment.
His death is a great loss to American politics, which are now more combative than ever. May his soul rest in peace.
K Ragavan, Bengaluru
John McCain certainly made some mistakes when it came to the dreadful decision to invade Iraq. But we must remember he was not the only one.
Name withheld by request
Honest insight into Hajj is much appreciated
I write in reference to Saeed Saeed's opinion piece What I learnt on Hajj: it's no picnic, but then it was never meant to be (August 24): this article was so honest and heartfelt. Thank you Mr Saeed for your insights.
Name withheld by request
Everything in life is brighter if accompanied by a smile
In reference to your article On the move: How to approach immigration officials (August 25), one should approach immigration officials the same way on approaches anybody – with a smile and a friendly greeting. A smile is free, goes a million miles and puts people at ease.
Everything in life is brighter when accompanied by a smile. It is very sad that this article has to be written but understandable after the manner in which Ellie Holman, the Swedish dentist, behaved.
Tanya Milbourne, Dubai
Pakistan suffers from the terrible disease of corruption
I write in reference to your editorial Corruption is the single biggest hindrance to progress (August 9), which highlighted the fallout of corruption in Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan.
Seventy years after independence, Pakistan is a victim of the same disease. The last elected leader Nawaz Sharif, his daughter and son-in-law, are all in jail for unexplained wealth and fraud, his two sons have been declared absconders.
The convicted prime minister’s brother, a former chief minister of Punjab, is under investigation for corruption. The economy is almost in tatters and domestic and international debt defy imagination.
Clearly the nation has been held hostage to corrupt leadership. Corruption will remain an existential threat unless the nations afflicted with it ensure root and branch transformation is carried out.
Mohammad Hamza, Dubai
