Stories about Arabic from June, 2009
Saudi Arabia: Michael Jackson v. Elvis Presley
When Saudi blogger and journalist Yasser Al Ghaslan heard about Michael Jackson's death, he immediately remembered when he heard that Elvis Presley had died.
Palestine: Traditional Cooking In The Ground
Sameh Abo Wadih describes the traditional Palestinian style of cooking in an oven dug into the ground, called a zarb [Ar].
MJ Death Reaction in Kuwait
After the passing of Michael Jackson there has been a mixture of reactions from the Kuwaiti blogosphere: for some it was memories from their childhood, for others its discussing their own feelings about the artist and their reactions to other people's opinions. Abdullatif AlOmar translates Kuwaiti sentiment in this post.
Palestine: Gaza Doctor Remembers His Daughters
Dr Izeldeen Abuelaish, who lost three daughters and his niece when the Israeli military shelled his house in Gaza in January, has set up a website in their memory.
Bahrain: The Word Is Out
Bahraini blogger Mohammed AlMaskati comments on how easy it is to get the ‘real’ news about Bahrain today, from outside the country at least: “A simple search for the word ‘Bahrain’ will return you clips of demonstrations, anti-governmental poetry, sermons and riots…The views of our so-called ‘opposition’ are out for...
Bahrain: Newspaper Suspended For A Day
On Monday, 22 June, Bahrain's oldest newspaper in circulation Akhbar Al Khaleej was suspended for the day after printing an article critical of certain Iranian leaders and making reference to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's alleged Jewish origins. The move would seem to have been made to avoid provoking unrest amongst the Shi'a majority in Bahrain.
Egypt: Play and put an end to Torture
Against Torture in Egypt posted this game - designed by IRCT (The International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims) – on the occasion of the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture (June 26).
Egyptian Rap Song in support of Iran
Urging Egyptian youth to fight against corruption, Wa7da Masreya posted an Egyptian rap song [EN & AR] in support of Iran.
Jordan: MPs Drafting a Law which requires Website Passwords
A new electronic sites law is being reviewed and drafted by the Jordanian Parliament which requires website administrators to provide their site's passwords to the government's Printing and Publication Directorate. In case the admins refuse, says the draft, the sites will be closed down by the concerned authorities. Blogger Osama Romoh reacts to the news.
Palestine: Sweet Success In The Record Books?
Hazem Afana reports that a Palestinian company has received permission [Ar] from Guinness World Records to attempt to make the world's largest kunafa (a traditional sweet).
Maghreb: Views on Iran
As the world watches events unfolding in Iran, Maghreb blogs have been following and commenting on the rapidly developing crisis there. Some questioned the motives behind the way western media covered the events; others criticized Mir Houssain Moussavi's reaction, but it seems that the majority are supporting protesters.
Egypt: A New Presidential Candidate in the Making
In September 2005 Ayman Nour of Al Ghad Party and No'man Goma'a of New Wafd Party nominated themselves against President Hosni Mubarak. Nour was charged with fraud and Goma'a was accused of insanity! Since 2000, Gamal Hosni Mubarak has the been groomed to be his father's successor as the next president with no apparent opponent. Today, rumor has it that Omar Soliman, Chief of The Egyptian General Intelligence Services, is an eligible presidential candidate.
Egypt: Between the Swine Flu and Approaching Plague
Terror and panic have gripped many Egyptians after the first case of H1N1 influenza, or Swine Flu, was detected in the country. The panic had actually started before the virus hit, prompting the Egyptian government to cull pigs. Bloggers are also voicing their concerns about the spread of the deadly plague in a neighbouring Libyan town.
Confederation Cup: Egypt beats World Champions Italy in Football Victory
Egypt moved closer to reaching the semi-finals of the Confederation Cup after a famous 1-0 win over Italy, the world champions. After the match, many Egyptians took to the streets loudly beeping their car horns at midnight. Streets became crowded after traffic was light during the match. Young men were seen hanging from the windows of moving cars, cheering and waving Egyptian flags. Tarek Amr reviews messages on Twitter during and after the match.
Bahrain: Ahmadinejad, For And Against
Bahrain has many historical and cultural links to Iran. A number of Bahrainis (both Shi'a and Sunnis) have Persian roots and speak Persian, and many of Bahrain's Shi'a community regularly travel to religious sites in Iran. On Bahraini blogs and forums there has been a lot of support expressed for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, thanks in particular to his reputation as a clean politician and modest person, but he is not popular with everyone.
Arab World: “Iran is a Democratic Dictatorship”
Reactions continue to pour across the Arab world over developments in Iran, in the aftermath of the country's presidential elections which saw Mahmoud Ahmedinejad winning a second term, with 66 per cent of the overall votes. In this round up of reactions, Arab bloggers compare between the political scenes in their countries with that in Iran as well as offer their insights to developments on the ground.
Egypt: Friends in Jerusalem
Egyptian Leftist [Ar] introduces us to two of his friends, who live in Jerusalem.
Arab World: Let the Iranians do Whatever they Want
Iran's presidential election and its aftermath have grabbed the headlines of blogs across the Arab world this week as bloggers from all walks to life react to the latest developments in the region.
Morocco: Beacon of Freedom of Speech?
Moroccan blogger Badr Al'Hamry on Agora [Ar], expresses his solidarity with Idriss Shahtan, director of Al Mishaal weekly newspaper, and president of the Khenifra branch of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights [Ar] who will stand accused of publishing a dossier that is discourteous to a relative of the king...
Moroccan Elections: The King's Party Triumphs
Whilst world attention was focused on the fiercely fought presidential election in Iran, communal elections held in June 12 in Morocco passed almost unnoticed by world media. The polls were officially hailed as crucial for the country's future and an important milestone in Morocco's protracted journey to democracy. Moroccan blogger's covered and commented the event, their hearts swaying between skepticism and full endorsement of the vote.
Tunisia: Confronting Religious Violence
Tunisian blogger Hamid Zanar who writes on Reflexions of a Former Muslim [Ar], launches a virulent attack against religious violence and fundamentalism amidst accounts of renewed threats made against intellectuals and teachers in his country.