Stories about Arabic from July, 2009
Israel: Cellular firm ad stirs occupation debate
A television ad for Cellcom, the largest Israeli cellular provider, sprung an unprecedented debate on the face of the Israeli occupation over the past two weeks. The advert shows Israeli soldiers playing soccer with unseen Palestinians over the wall separating Israel and the West Bank, to the sound of popular music. The ad was accepted as insensitive at best by many Israelis, becoming an icon of blindness to the occupation in the Israeli society, writes Carmel L. Vaisman.
Egypt: “Fifty-seven years after the coup and we still are not able cope”
On the 57th anniversary of their revolution, Egyptians are still evaluating and debating how this historic event that started with the military coup d’etat has changed the their lives, and that of many future generations. Until today, bloggers continue to discuss and pinpoint the pros and the cons of the revolution, as well as the decisions of the Free Officers, who led the coup which turned Egypt from a constitutional monarchy to a republic.
Morocco: A Decade with Mohammed VI
When in July 1999, king Mohammed VI of Morocco ascended to the throne, the expectations for change and progress were such that many international observers foresaw an albeit difficult but inexorable march that would lead the country to a prosperous, liberal and democratic future. Ten years later, many bloggers and online news websites commemorate the first decade of the reign of Mohammed VI with hope for a better tomorrow.
Syria: Focus on Ability
Syrian blog Common English Mistakes Podcast continues its series of podcasts [Ar]. This episode focuses on the use of the word ability.
Kuwait: Swine Flu and Health Officials
From Kuwait, Dilli O Milli [ar] is surprised with the way officials are dealing with announcements related to H1N1 or Swine Flu. “We are handing our lives to people who...
Syria: Sexual Misconceptions
Syrian blogger Marcelllita [ar] blogs about sexual complexes young people in this part of the world suffer from, such as misconceptions and wrong information.
Bahrain: Swine Flu Awareness
Bahraini blogger Khalid [ar] blames Bahraini health authorities for not handling the H1N1 or Swine flu virus properly and creating public awareness about the disease. He goes on to provide...
Egypt: 77 Egyptian Prisoners in Israeli Jails
On Twitter, Egyptian blogger Noha Atef [ar] notes: “I didn't know that there were 77 Egyptian prisoners in Israeli jails!! 41 of them are held on criminal charges, meaning smuggling...
Bahrain: No to Eating Corn in Shop
On Twitpic, Bahraini Twitter user Hussein Nasser posts a photograph of a sign posted in a boutique which reads: “You are not allowed to eat sweet corn inside the shop.”
Bahrain: Learn To Live With Israel?
The Bahraini Nationalist is pleased that Bahrain's Crown Prince has written an op-ed in the Washington Post asking Arabs to talk to the people of Israel: “Shaikh Salman is trying...
Egypt: What's good for the goose is NOT good for the gander
When Marwa El Sherbini was shot dead in a German court Facebook users and the Egyptian blogosphere mourned her as the victim of the veil, the victim of racism, and the victim of her beliefs. But when a heap of bones wrapped up in a blanket named Ibrahim El Sayed Ibrahim was shipped back to Egypt from Libya - no one lifted a finger in his defense.
Palestine: Second Humanitarian Convoy Enters Gaza
Gazan blogger DR – LION reports on the second Viva Palestina humanitarian convoy to enter Gaza, accompanied by the British MP George Galloway [Ar].
Egyptian Women and a Fresh Outlook on Divorce
Divorce has always been a stigma in the Egyptian society. Today, the winds of change are blowing this away. In this post, Marwa Rakha follows conversations on Egyptian blogs which show what is being done to right a wrong situation.
Egypt: Mounir Said Hanna found guilty of “Satire”
Egyptian Mounir Said Hanna Marzuq has been found guilty of "satire" after a colleague reported him and his poem to the authorities. He has been sentenced to three years and was fined L.E. 100,000 for insulting president Hosni Mubarak. Marwa Rakha sums up reactions from Egyptian bloggers here.
Egypt: The Egyptian Apostate
Egyptian progressive thinker, Dr. Sayed El Qemany was granted the State Award for Social Sciences. Egyptian liberals and seculars hailed the award while Wahabis and conservatives declared war on the “Egyptian Apostate”. Marwa Rakha reports from the Egyptian blogosphere.
Arab World: Trouble for Gay Travels in the Muslim World
The first gay book to have been ever translated into Arabic after being originally printed in English has run into problems straight off the press. Katharine Ganly reports on blogger reactions to the book Gay Travels in the Muslim World, whose translation has spurred a heated debate.
Morocco: Free Speech Call to the King
Allal El Alaoui, a Moroccan blogger based in Rabat, reports and links [ar] to the open letter written by Khalid Jamai, 65 – a Moroccan veteran journalist known for his...
Bahrain: Blogging Ministers
Bahraini blogger Yagoob reports on new initiative on Bahrain's E-Government Portal – a blog where people can leave comments, and where ministers will be available to answer questions.
Syria: Allergic to Religion?
Mohammed writes about a phenomenon that he feels has gone too far. He feels that many people have a certain “Religion Influenza” [Ar] that makes them hostile to anything related...
Egypt: Doctors without masks
Egyptian Leftist [Ar] describes the paranoia gripping people over swine flu or H1N1 and bird flu. The blogger, who has been to three hospitals, notes: “Despite the horror spread in...
Bahrain: Livestock Dying
Bahraini Khalid [Ar] comments on the death of livestock in Bahrain this summer. “There are sheep that die, goats that die and cows that die of the heat and thirst;...
