Stories about Arabic from April, 2011
Syria: The Revolution Continues (Video)
It's the Friday of Rage in Syria, with tens of thousands of people taking to the streets of different cities to call for the overthrow of the Al Assad regime, and show solidarity with Daraa, which is facing a ruthless crackdown for being the nucleus the Syrian protests.
Syria: “The Revolution is Continuing in Daraa; Are You With Us?”
The situation in Daraa, Syria, is becoming more destitute, as reports continue of more protests, and a more violent crackdown on the protesters. Netizens speak of a mounting humanitarian situation as protesters are killed, medical aid is running out and electricity, water and communications are cut.
Arab World: Royal Wedding Fever in the Air
The hype surrounding the royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton tomorrow (April 29) has reached the Middle East, where some tweeps took a break from covering the ongoing Arab revolutions to remark on the ceremony and reception, which will follow at Buckingham Palace.
Iraq: Is Saddam Still Alive?
Saddam Hussein is making the rounds on social media, with a new recording claiming that the Iraqi dictator is alive and well and that his double Mikhail was the one executed on December 30, 2006. Many netizens are quick to describe the video as phoney and assure readers that Saddam is dead and gone. Had he been alive, the former Iraqi dictator would have turned 74 today.
Yemen: Lunch Time at the Pro-Change and Pro-Regime Camps
One video-blogger captures lunch time at pro-regime and pro-change camps in the Yemeni capital Sanaa. Watch the video in this post to see the difference.
Kuwait: Blogger Wins a Lawsuit
Congrats are pouring in after Kuwait-based blogger Lebanese Mark won a lawsuit. He was sued by a restaurant for a review he posted in his blog.
Kuwait: Sit-in to Rename “Journalism Street” After Al-Saleh Planned
Kuwaiti journalists are planning to stage a sit-in tonight (April 27) to demand renaming "Journalism Street" after the late Mohammed Mousaed Al-Saleh, who was one of the very well known Kuwaiti sarcastic columnists, who wrote for Al-Qabas newspaper for years, criticizing different political and social aspects found in everyday life.
Yemen: One Killed, Several Injured in Taiz Protests
Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Taiz, Yemen, today, calling for the overthrow of the Ali Abdullah Saleh regime. According to Yemen Post, one protester was killed and four were injured by live bullets when republican guard forces attacked the protesters.
Egypt: Protesting for Syria
Scores of Egyptians joined Syrian students who gathered outside the Syrian Embassy in Cairo in protest against the killing of demonstrators and called for the overthrow of the Syrian regime of Bashar Al Assad. Protesters chanted in solidarity with the Syrian demonstrators.
Bahrain: Khobiz United
Bahraini blogger Mahmood Al Yousif shares a video showing how khobiz – a local bread – unites Bahrainis.
Palestine: Survey for Netizens
A survey (Ar) is available for Palestinian netizen to update their information, for the Amin Media Network. Questions on the survey include: location; age; blogging language; and favourite citizen media platform.
Yemen: Millions Protest on Last Chance Friday
Millions of protesters thronged the squares of Sanaa and Taiz in Yemen, calling for the end of Ali Abdulla Saleh's regime. Dubbed Last Chance Friday, protesters are keen to boot out Saleh, who has ruled the country for 32 years. The whole week saw support pumped up for today's massive protests, which didn't fail the expectations of observers.
Syria: The People Want to Overthrow the Regime
Syria is heating up this Friday, with news of fresh protests in many provinces, and more violence as the regime tries to crackdown on the unrest, which started on March 15. Netizens keep us updated on Twitter and YouTube.
Lebanon: Seven Estonian Hostages Appeal for Help
On March 25, Estonian YouTube user HelensVlogs reported on the kidnapping of seven Estonian tourists two days earlier, as they were cycling in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley. On April 20, the seven hostages appeared in this video, pleading for help. (More info, on BBC News – here and here.)
Syria: Homs Protests Attract Thousands (Video)
Despite the security crackdown, protests are continuing in Syria, with countless of videos surfacing online showing thousands of protesters calling for the overthrow of the Assad regime. Here is a selection of videos from Homs.
Saudi Arabia: Mapping Human Rights Violations
Amnesty International has set up a crowd sourced map (Ar) on human rights violations in Saudi Arabia. The aim is to allow users to report and map human rights violations taking place.
Syria: Emergency Law Lifted as Protests Continue
There were mixed feelings in Syria today as President Bashar Al-Assad announced an end to the emergency law that has been in place in the country since 1963. The country has seen weeks of protests, many of which have been met with deadly force from security officials.
Kuwait: The Prime Minister Wins Again
Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah has broken a new record with his appointment as prime minister of Kuwait for the seventh time in five years. Some bloggers and Twitter users have been campaigning, alongside political groups, demanding his departure. Kuwaiti bloggers speak up, discussing why they need a new prime minister to steer their country forward.
Tunisia: Bloggers Debate Secularism
Tunisia is a country of a large Muslim majority and the Tunisian Constitution states that Islam is the state's religion. However, the Tunisian society is one of the most secular ones in the Muslim world. After the Tunisian revolution, secularism has been the centre of heated debates on blogs. Here is a review of the debate.
Morocco: Controversy Over International Music Festival
Each year the capital Rabat is the epicenter of a major music festival, Mawazine. Since its modest launch in 2001, Mawazine has grown, and in the last decade has become the top national entertainment gathering. With the backdrop of political protests and calls for change though, controversy is rising in the Moroccan blogosphere around the use of public money for sponsoring the festival.
Egypt: “I really sympathize with Mubarak”
Hany George, an Egyptian blogger and activist shares a true story from Tahrir Square that he dedicates to all the people who still sympathize with ousted president Hosni Mubarak as he is detained and prosecuted in Egypt.
