Stories about Arabic from September, 2007
Bahrain: Halfway There!
From Bahrain this week: a mid-Ramadan celebration, great happiness to be at university, a description of some dating practices, and a packet of rice that just doesn't make sense!
Egypt: Demonstration Planned on Thursday
A demonstration will be held in Cairo, Egypt, at 9pm on Friday in protest against the jailing of journalists and in solidarity with the workers on strike, reports Abna Masr (Ar). The demonstration has been called for by opposition movement Kifaya.
Ramadaning in Kuwait
Ramadan, food and shopping were top priorities among Kuwaiti bloggers last week. Abdullatif AlOmar takes us on a tour of Kuwaiti blogs which include a shopping trip at a hypermarket where even the shampoo looks interesting when you are fasting!
Bahrain: No Eating, No Drinking, No Smoking – And No Work?
In the Bahraini blogosphere this week we hear from a blogger who wants a job, and a blogger who wishes he didn’t have a job. There's also a student entering her final year, unemployed teachers, and an MP who thinks Muslims shouldn't have to work during Ramadan. One blogger reveals that there are fifteen ways to spell his name. And a 'football widow' tells her story!
Arabeyes: Homophobia in Kuwait
Kuwaiti blogger Frankom (Ar) writes an explosive post about what he thinks of homosexuals in his country, sparking a debate among his readers. Amira Al Hussaini translates his post from Arabic.
Lebanon: Ramadan Kareem
A bountiful and peaceful Ramadan to all from Lebanon. In this post Moussa Bashir takes us to the homes of Lebanese bloggers who break their fast with their families, showing us their artistic side and how the pace of life changes for an entire month.
Egypt: The Fagnoon World
Maryanne Stroud Gabbani, who lives in Egypt, introduces us to the Fagnoon in this post. Fannan means artist in Arabic and Magnoon means crazy. Click on the link to enter the world of the Fagnoon!
Ramadan Kareem From Kuwait
Ramadan Kareem from Kuwait as bloggers talk about museums, small businesses, conservation and the emergence of the new Kuwaiti superstar. Abdullatif AlOmar has more in this round up from Kuwaiti blogs this week.
Morocco: The King of the Poor?
Moroccans love their king - but do they love his daily budget? And what's going on during Ramadan? Jillian York has this week's update on the Moroccan blogosphere.
Bahrain: Even Ramadan Is Sectarian
This week in Bahrain we focus on bloggers' responses to the start of Ramadan. A number of bloggers are frustrated that the start of the month varies according to the different sects. Others are bothered with the entire month itself. Ayesha Saldanha has more in this post.
Bahrain: An Encounter with an Iraqi Girl in Syria
Bahraini blogger One in a Million (Ar) was in Syria recently, where she met an Iraqi girl, which gave her a lot of food for thought on the conditions of Iraqi refugees and the heartbreak the war on Iraq has brought them. Amira Al Hussaini translates her post from Arabic.
Bahrain: Getting It Out of Your System…
We have a world of contrasts in Bahrain this week. The summer vacation is over, which makes some bloggers happy, and others miserable. Religious scholars – respect or despise them? One blogger compares blogs in the USA and in the Arab world. And our star post this week is a description of how to detox, Bahrain-style…
Oman: Niqab Experience
Oman Sky tells us about her experience with anonymity when wearing the face veil (Niqab).
Oman: Ramadhan TV
Omani bloggers have launched a new blog for following up on new Arabic television shows in Ramadhan this year.
Morocco election photoblog lets voters talk politics with pictures
Millions of Moroccans headed to the polls today to take part in a political process many lament will only offer the Moroccan people more of the same. So if voters aren't particularly enthused, who could blame them? It's Morocco's eighth parliamentary elections since 1960, but as Amazigh Blog (fr) wrote...
Bahrain: Meet more bloggers!
On 1st September Bahraini bloggers held their monthly get-together, but this time with a new time and day, and a change of venue. There were nine people present, some of whom were introduced in the report of the last meeting. Global Voices Online was there and Ayesha Saldanha introduces us to more bloggers this week.
Kuwait: The Blogging Monster
Are bloggers swimming against the tide? Are officials losing sleep over what is appearing online everyday? Should blogging be controlled? Or is controlling what appears on blogs another form of repression and another way of brushing corruption under the carpet? Kuwaiti blogger AseeL, from bara7atmbarak (Mubarak's Square), introduces us to the blogging monster in this post (Ar), which discusses some of the questions raised above.
