Stories about Arabic from September, 2008
Qatar: Time to Break Fast
From Qatar, Bahraini blogger Ammar Talk [ar] posts pictures of children around cannons, fired to signal the time to break one's fast in Ramadhan.
Palestine: Retaining a sense of humanity in Gaza
As the situation in Gaza deteriorates from one day to the next, many are struggling not only with the enormous difficulties of daily life, but with the change in values they see around them, in a society that has become dominated by Islamist thinking. In this post, a blogger in Gaza writes a passionate cry of despair.
Egypt: National Theater on Fire
It seems that the Egyptians have succeeded in bringing Nero back to life. And the Egyptian Nero has a long list of places to burn. He started with the Egyptian Parliament a few weeks ago, and now it's time for the Egyptian National Theater.
Syria: Chilling Eyewitness Blogger Account on Damascus Explosion
With very little information coming out on today's massive explosion in Damascus, Syria, one blogger was on the site and rushed back to his computer to describe to the world the scene of devastation and chaos he has witnessed. Also, what are other bloggers saying about the incident?
Kuwait: Rabbit Outside the Mosque
Kuwaiti Frankom [Ar] found a rabbit outside the mosque … and shot it – with his mobile phone's camera, of course.
Kuwait: YouTube Ban Lifted
News about YouTube being blocked in Kuwait hit the headlines yesterday, with bloggers frustrated over what they described as yet another intrusion on freedom of speech in their country. The ban has since been lifted. Here's a cross-section of reactions from Kuwait.
Qatar: Introducing Browser Shots
Dr Net, from Qatar, introduces his readers to Browser Shots, a open source which enables users to make screenshots of their web design in different browsers.
Lebanon: Homosexuality in Lebanon
Although Lebanon stands out as a more tolerant space for homosexuality in the Middle East, the real life for this section of the community is not paved with roses. A quick round up of blogs and spaces promoting this issue in Lebanon gives the reader a brief peek into how this community lives.
Saudi Arabia: Outcry Over Fatwa to Kill Satellite TV Owners
A prominent Saudi scholar issued a religious decree - fatwa - calling for the killing of the owners of satellite television channels which broadcast immoral material. Bloggers from Saudi Arabia react.
Saudi Arabia: Why Should Arabs Have Access to the Internet?
For days, cyberactivists have been busy discussing the case of Moroccan blogger Mohammed Erraji, who was arrested, put on trial, sentenced - and then freed, and then put on trial again and finally acquitted. Who is Mohammed Erraji? Why did he cross 'red lines' knowing well that in many countries in the Middle East criticising members of the vast Ruling families is very likely to result in repercussions and punishment? Saudi blogger Fouad Al Farhan, who recently found himself behind bars for his writings in Saudi Arabia, visits Erraji's blog looking for answers.
Lebanon: Political Tensions are Escalating
While the people in Lebanon were under the impression that the latest negotiations between the leading political groups might translate into a glimpse of a brighter and calmer days to come, two people were killed and four injured in a clash between two rival Christian parties in Bsarma village in Koura, north Lebanon.
Egypt: Another Doweika Tragedy Waiting to Happen!
More than 1,100 students have so far joined a Facebook group crying for attention for a tragedy waiting to happen at Alexandria University's Engineering College. As more than 7,000 students get ready to return to classes, will their plight be heard? Marwa Rakha reports.
Egypt: Who are those People … in the People's Assembly?
In the aftermath of the Egyptian Parliament going up in flames, people's reactions ranged from utter shock, sadness, to gloating. Wael Nawara conducted an independent poll asking bloggers, readers, and Egyptian internet users to answer the following question: Does the Egyptian Parliament truly represent the people? Marwa Rakha shares the results.
Suez Canal donates 1,000,000 Egyptian Pounds to Doweika Victims
Like Asser Mattar, many Egyptians were happy to find out that Suez Canal canceled its annual celebration on September 14 to donate a total of one million Egyptian Pounds to support the victims of the Doweika tragedy. Scores of people were killed and injured when huge rocks fell on 35 homes in the slum in one of Cairo's poorest neighbourhoods.
Kuwait and Ramadan
It has been a busy Ramadan in Kuwait, with the collapse of the Stock Exchange, social activities and artistic creativity. Abdullatif Al Omar digs into Kuwaiti blogs to bring us the latest.
Kuwait: Special Girgian Celebration
People in the Gulf region mark the middle of the Holy Month of Ramadan with a celebration, where children dress up and go door to door, wishing neighbours and collecting treats and sometimes money. One blogger from Kuwait shares the occasion with us.
Arabeyes: Daily life during Ramadan
In this post we look at different experiences of everyday life across the Arab world during Ramadan. We hear how Palestinians are coping in Gaza, how an Italian deals with Ramadan in the West Bank, have a glimpse into a Saudi household about to break the fast – and get tips from Bahrain on how to curb profanities during the holy month.
Syria: New Aggregator Launched
Ahmad [Ar] announces to his readers and to Syrian bloggers the launch of a new Syrian blog aggregator, AL-MUDAWWEN, and asks bloggers from his country to add their blogs here.
Syria: Rare Damascene Flower
Amr Fahham [Ar], from Damascus, appeals for help to save a rare Damascene flower – the Damascene Sawsan ( السوسن الدمشقي ), from extinction. He says that it only grows on Mountain Qassun.
Morocco: Blogger Arrested, Sentenced Immediately
This morning, it was reported by the electronic news site Hespress [ar] that blogger Mohammed Raji was arrested in his home in Agadir. An article that Raji had posted on Hespress [ar] is said to be the source of the conflict, though neither that fact nor Raji's arrest have been...
Morocco: The Post that led Mohammed Raji to Jail
Moroccan blogger Mohammed Raji is behind bars in his country for speaking his mind. Following is a translation of the post [Ar], which will cost the blogger two years of his freedom
