ISO 9001:2008 CERTIFIED NEWSPAPER 22 March 2014 21 Jumadal I 1435 - Volume 19 Number 5611 Price: QR2 ON SATURDAY Missing plane’s debris may never be found LONDON: Even if the two unidentified objects shown on satellite images floating in the southern Indian Ocean are debris from the missing Malaysia Airlines plane, finding them could prove to be a long and difficult process that may rely on luck as much as on advanced technology, oceanographers and aviation experts have warned. If the objects are recovered, locating the rest of the Boeing 777 on the ocean floor could turn out to be harder still. And if the remains can eventually be pieced together, working out exactly what happened to flight MH370 may be the toughest job of all. See also page 11 Doha Theatre Festival opens at Katara DOHA: The Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage H E Dr. Hamad bin Abdul Aziz Al Kuwari yesterday opened Doha Theatre Festival at Katara Drama Theatre. In his speech, the minister said many events in the theatrical field will be held in the com- ing days, including workshops and an contest in playwriting, and a forum for playwrights in Qatar which will be held in the last week of April every year. He said work was under way to create an electronic library for theatre documentation, and admission to the theatre studies programme will be announced soon in collaboration with the Community College in Doha. The programme will result in an applied science degree in the field of theatre. EU prepares for trade Debating war with Russia BRUSSELS: Europe began to prepare for a possible trade war with Russia over Ukraine yesterday, with the EU executive in Brussels ordered to draft plans for much more sub- stantive sanctions against Moscow if Vladimir Putin presses ahead with Russian territorial expansion. But the bigger EU countries — Germany, France and Britain, all with major but very dif- Mother’s Day ferent interests at stake in Russia — split over the tactics of a new campaign with fears that a trade war would be highly risky and potentially ruinous. A two-day summit of EU leaders domi- THE ISSUE nated by the Crimea crisis ended with 12 Russian politicians and military figures being added to a list of 21 so far subjected to travel bans and Special days in honour of one’s to note that a few joined the celebrations. of necessity because in the West family asset freezes. loved ones are celebrated In cyberspace, some people presented ties are weak. Such days are required to See also page 10 all over the world, in various poems in praise of their mothers, a few remind people of their mothers. “At the offered words of congratulations and same time, in the Arab world, family Furious reaction after ways. While some days, like a few asked their friends in the ‘media’ relations are very strong and mothers are Design: Abraham Augusthy Valentine’s, trigger controversy what gifts they could offer. Some said well taken care of by their children. Every Turkey bans Twitter marking the day was a disservice and a day is a mother’s day for us and there is in Muslim and even non-Muslim sad reminder to those who had lost their no need for a specific day,” said a Qatari ANKARA: Turkey’s ban on Twitter ahead countries, others like Mother’s mothers because the day reminded them on a social media site. of bitterly contested elections brought a furi- Day are viewed as more of their beloved mothers. Others argue that there is nothing ous reaction at home and abroad yesterday, Interestingly, an organisation of wrong with celebrating Mother’s Day with users of the social networking service tolerable. As many people in Egyptian women in Qatar took out an as it doesn’t contradict Arab or Islamic denouncing the move as a “digital coup” and the world observed Mother’s advertisement in a local website (www. culture. According to them, more than the president expressing his disapproval. onqatar.qa/ar) inviting everyone interested being a Western creation Mother’s Day A court blocked access to Twitter after Prime Day yesterday, in the Qatari to a function it had organised at Katara is international now and is marked Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s defiant vow, on community the occasion caused yesterday to mark Mother’s Day. It was everywhere. With globalisation and the the campaign trail on Thursday ahead of March some ripples. not known what was the response to the onslaught of the social media, borders 30 local elections, to “wipe out” the social media ad, but it said it was the first time such are getting blurred and festivals and service, whatever the international community a celebration was being held on Katara celebrations are getting an international had to say about it. s a debate raged in the Qatari beach. touch and flavour. Industry Minister Fikri Isik said talks with social media about the propriety Those who oppose celebration of The debate in the social media also shows Twitter were on and the ban would be lifted if PAGEand 6 meaning of marking such a Mother’s Day offer two arguments: first, that the Qatari community is vigorously the San Francisco-based firm appointed a repre- Aday, with many arguing against it’s not Islamic and a part of Arab culture, participating in such discussions. sentative in Turkey and agreed to block specific it and some in favour, it was interesting and second, it’s a Western concept born See also page 2 content when requested by Turkish courts. See also page 9 AGENCIES & THE GUARDIAN www.thepeninsulaqatar.com [email protected] | [email protected] Editorial: 4455 7741 | Advertising: 4455 7837 / 4455 7780 MARCH 22, 2014 ON SATURDAY 02 www.thepeninsulaqatar.com Home Worth more than a day Debate rages on Qatari social media over the relevance of celebrating Mother’s Day other’s Day was celebrated because it had nothing to do with Qatari with great zeal on Friday, society and was a Western concept. One but the local community should not wait for a specific occasion or Mwas abuzz with discussions a day to make one’s mother happy, but on the rationale behind this day. Most give her care and respect throughout Qataris were of the view that Mother’s her life, she said. Day had nothing to do with their culture “We should obey and remember her and they were simply aping Western all the time, giving her what she likes. practices. Clerics and Islamic scholars Unfortunately, due to cultural change cautioned people against imitating such and influences, some Qatari citizens celebrations. have begun to celebrate this day. They said that Muslims had their own The family should be responsible for holidays, which are Eid Al Fitr and Eid protecting society from such influences Al Adha, and showing respect to one’s and we should teach our children that parents and acknowledging their role this is not part of our tradition and it did not need a specific day. A mother has nothing to with Islam,” she said. deserves love and respect always, and Another mother, Zainab, said not just on one day, they said. meeting. Alynin said giving presents Mother’s Day in Qatar was like any Islam highlights the importance of to one’s mother on a specific day in other day because it was not celebrated mothers and their role in upbringing a year was not acceptable in Islam. with great enthusiasm here. Qataris children and caring for them, and The majority of Qatari families do not believe that mothers must be cared Muslims are urged to obey and care for celebrate Mother’s Day. Most Qataris for and respected every day, and not their mothers throughout their lives live with their extended families and just on one day, she said, adding that and pray for her and seek forgiveness mothers have an important place in celebrating the day could be painful from her. these families. for women who do not have children Ahmed Abu Alynin, imam of a The cleric said there were many other or those who have lost a child. It could mosque in Al Wakra, said celebration of imported celebrations, such as Parent’s also be painful for children who have Mother’s Day was not allowed in Islam Day, Father’s Day, and Valentine’s Day. lost their mother, she said. because according to Shariah only the Instead of discussing their relevance However, Fatima Masud said there Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha holidays are people should reject the alien concepts, was nothing wrong in celebrating the allowed for Muslims. Showing respect to which have no place in Qatari culture day and giving gifts to one’s mother and mothers and keeping them happy are and society, he said. making her happy. duties that should be performed every Qataris appear to be divided on “Though it is not part of our culture day and should not be limited to just one whether they should celebrate Mother’s and religion, it is also not contradictory day because mothers and fathers are Day. Some say there is nothing wrong to our religion,” she said. accorded an important position in Islam. in having a day to show respect to one’s She said she preferred to buy jewellery The concept of Mother’s Day is mother and present her gifts, while for her mother on this day. She has two imported from the West, where children others argue that there is no need to daughters studying in elementary school live away from their parents and are celebrate such days and only religious and they bring her flowers or a card, not in contact with them for long.