Stories about Arabic from April, 2012
Tunisia: Clashes Over Future of State Television
On April 25 a sit-in outside the offices of Tunisia's state television network that had lasted almost eight weeks came to an end. Protestors demanded the “cleansing” of the network of Ben Ali supporters, and also opposed suggestions of its privatisation.
Syria: Television “Confession” of Activist Ali Mahmoud Othman
Ali Mahmoud Othman, head of the media office of Baba Amr in Homs, was arrested in March. Now an exclusive interview, which many believe is a forced confession following his torture, is due to be broadcast on Syrian state television.
Tunisia: Uproar at Kiss of President's Hand
On April 26 a video featuring two men kissing the hand of interim Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki made a buzz on the web. Kissing the hand of the president is seen as a relic of the rule of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, and against the values of post-uprising Tunisia.
Egypt: Time for Televised Presidential Debates?
As the time approaches for the Egyptian presidential election, there have been calls not only in Egypt but also around the Arab world for televised presidential debates.
Jordan: New Website for Short Stories
Project Pen is an initiative to promote short story writing by Arabs and “encourage a new generation of writers, creating new kinds of stories, for a new kind of readership”. By sharing stories across social media, and by connecting writers with each other, Project Pen intends to bypass traditional publishing...
Tunisia: Police Clash with Jobless Protestors in Radès
On April 13 police clashed with a group of young protestors from Cité El Mallaha in the port of Radès, just south of the capital Tunis. The protesters were staging a sit-in, demanding a share of some jobs which had been recently created in Radès port.
Egypt: Should the Grand Mufti Have Gone to Jerusalem?
On April 18 Ali Gomaa, the Egyptian grand mufti and one of the highest religious authorities in the Islamic world, visited Jerusalem for the first time. The visit is controversial since it is seen by many as a step towards normalised relations with Israel.
Tunisia: Neglect of Those Wounded in the Revolution
Tunisians have been expressing their dissatisfaction and anger regarding the government's poor treatment of those wounded during the Tunisian revolution. Some of them have bullets still to be extracted from their bodies, and other had limbs amputated and are still waiting for prosthetic limbs.
Egypt: “Blog About Nubia” Day
In an attempt to highlight the situation of the Nubian community in Egypt and to challenge stereotypes about them, a day of blogging and tweeting about their cause took place on April 18.
Egypt: Country's First Research University At Risk
Since last year the fate of Nile University, Egypt's first research university, has been uncertain. Its purpose-built campus has been “conceded” to the Zewail City of Science and Technology, an initiative of Nobel Chemistry Prize winner Ahmed Zewail, and netizens are fighting to save it.
Video Highlights: Syrian Activism, Children's Issues and Dolphin Deaths
A selection of Global Voices' most recent and interesting stories like the Syrian protests in Middle East and North Africa, China and India's female gendercide phenomenon in South Asia and East Asia and viral video campaigns with Children in Mexico and the massive dolphin die-off in Peru for Latin America.
Bahrain: Police Help Thugs Vandalize Shiite-Owned Shop
The owners of the Jawad Business Group, a Shiite-owned company in Bahrain, have released a video of one of their shops being stormed, robbed, and vandalized by a group of thugs on April 10, as policemen watched and even helped.
Egypt: Campaign Against Compulsory Military Service Gains Momentum
A discussion against conscription or compulsory military service is emerging in Egypt. Ahmed Awadalla gives us an overview of the debate in this post.
Arab World: Technology in the Time of Revolution
The Arab uprisings have created a debate about the role played by social media and mobile technology in bringing change. Whatever conclusion you come to on that subject, activists certainly make use of a wide range of new technologies, and Tarek Amr takes a look at some of them in this post.
Egypt: The Fall, Rise and Fall of Omar Suleiman
On April 6 Omar Suleiman, Egypt's former vice president and intelligence chief, announced his candidacy for president. On April 13, tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Tahrir Square to protest. Then, in a surprising turn of events, on April 14 it was announced that Suleiman was one of ten candidates barred from standing in the elections.
Egypt: The Drama of the Presidential Race
It's hard to predict the results of the presidential elections in Egypt, due to the dramatic events taking place every day. This post tries to shed light on the political situation, and the status of the major candidates so far.
Algeria: Tributes Paid to Late President Ahmed Ben Bella
Following the death of Ahmed Ben Bella, Arab netizens have remembered the man who was Algeria's first president.
Tunisia: Relief at Lifting of Protest Ban
Tunisian netizens have expressed their relief at the lifting of the ban on protesting on Habib Bourguiba Avenue, but some have vowed not to let the matter rest. Salah Almhamdi reports.
Egypt: Advocating for Residents of Informal Neighbourhoods
Architect and researcher Omnia Khalil, has published this presentation as a part of Egyptian urban action [Ar], an exhibition and workshop scheduled for 4 July, 2012. It concerns advocating for the residents of informal neighbourhoods and highlights urban deterioration, forced evacuation and urban challenges in Egypt. In this video [Ar]...
Tunisia: Mixed Reactions to Hacking of Prime Minister's Emails
On April 8 Anonymous Tunisia hacked the emails of the Tunisian prime minister Hamadi Jebali. The movement dubbed it "Operation Touche pas à ma Tunise" ("Get Your Hands Off My Tunisia") which is part of the broader "Operation Tunisia Back".
Tunisia: Martyrs’ Day Clashes Leave Many Wounded
Tunisia's netizens and activist community were shocked on April 6, by the police response to a planned protest to mark Martyrs' Day. It came a day after a smaller protest by jobless young people was attacked by the police.
