Stories about Arabic from September, 2012
Bahrain: Can Democracy and Islam Co-Exist?
Can democracy exist in Islamic societies? This was the topic of conversation between Bahraini bloggers today.
Saudi Arabia: Families of Uncharged Prisoners Protest on National Day
Imprisonment without charges is the top human rights issue in Saudi Arabia. Families of uncharged prisoners, estimated to be around 30,000 detainees, took the risk to raise awareness about the cause, with a sit-in outside the al-Turfiya prison, near Buraidah. Here's how that sit-in was dispersed.
Saudi Arabia: Celebrating National Day in Style
Saudi Arabia marks its National Day today [Sept 24] and young Saudis are celebrating the day in style. On Twitter, the day's events are tagged with a special hash tag #اليوم_الوطني, which translates to National Day. According to accounts on social media, young men took to the streets to celebrate the day, with dancing and street parades in their cars.
Egypt: Artists Re-Paint Murals Destroyed by Police
Artists are back at work on Mohamed Mahmood street in Cairo, after authorities erased revolution graffiti. @RashaPress shares the photograph above of artists repainting murals on the street, off Tahrir...
Egypt: 1.5km Human Chain Protest Outside Nile University
@Kandily shares this photograph on Twitter, showing a human chain which he says [ar] measures 1.5km made up of students outside Nile University, which has been appropriated to the Zewail...
Syria: Happy Birthday Bashar?
Syrians marked the birthday of President Bashar Al Assad, who turned 47, on September 11, in their own way. With the Syrian Revolution reaching its bloodiest peak, many netizens took to their keyboards wishing it would be his last birthday. Others wished him a long life, a safety for Syria.
Saudi Arabia: Authorities Threaten to Block YouTube
Saudi Arabia is threatening to block YouTube, if the latter does not block access to all the clips which lead to the 14-minute trailer of the movie Innocence of Muslims. Saudis, who have ranked first in worldwide YouTube views, overall, reacted to the statement with anger and sarcasm.
Sudan: YouTube Banned After Protesters Burn German Embassy
Angered by the trailer of a movie which insults Prophet Mohammed, made by an Egyptian in the United States and posted on YouTube, Sudanese protesters burned the German Embassy in Khartoum. Netizens weigh in as Sudanese authorities block access to video sharing site YouTube.
Saudi Arabia: Committee Backs Legalizing Infinite Detention
The Committee of Islamic and Judicial Affairs in the appointed Saudi Consultative Assembly supported suggestions to relax the requirements for execution and to give courts the right to approve infinite detention. The current law mandates unanimity in the national Judicial Council for death sentences, but the suggested amendment would allow death sentences to pass by a majority of opinions. Activists make their opposition heard on Twitter.
Libya: Sorry Chris, Benghazi Couldn't Protect You
A small crowd of Libyans gathered in Al Shajara Square in Benghazi on September 12, to protest against the attack on the US Consulate which killed four Americans including Ambassador Christopher Stevens.
Mali: Mauritanian Preachers Killed by the Army
Mauritanians woke up on September 10, 2012, to the news of the killing of 16 members of Jamaat al Daawa wal Tabligh (Society for spreading faith), a movement active in spreading Islamic faith by the Malian army. Twelve of those killed are Mauritanian citizens. Ahmed Jedou compiled netizen reactions to the incident
Arab World: Outrage Over Killing of US Ambassador in Benghazi
Arab netizens have condemned the cowardly attack on the United States Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, last night. Four Americans, including Ambassador Christopher Stevens were killed when militants fired rockets at them as they were being driven to a safer location after protesters surrounded the consulate building.
Palestine: Demonstrations Against Rising Living Costs Continue
Protests against high prices and unemployment that started almost a week ago are continuing in major cities in the West Bank. Ola Anan updates us in this post.
Egypt: Teenager Confronts Militarization of Schools
As criticism of the military institution grows in Egypt, a young man takes a brave step to confront military interference in the education system. Ahmed Awadalla speaks to Ahmed Hassan, who has stood against the militarization of schools.
Libya: A Project to Support Blogging
Libyablog is a website that shares what Libyan bloggers write. The group blog is run by a team, from France24, along with l’Atelier des Médias. Some Libyan bloggers are also...
Egypt: Hero's Welcome for Paralympics Squad
On Twitter, Ahmed Morgan shares a photograph taken minutes ago from Cairo International Airport, where hundreds of people gathered to welcome home Egypt's squad from the London paralympics.
Egypt: Welcoming Paralympics Heroes
@MonaMcloof: Im taking these n going to greet our #egyptian delegation coming bk frm london #Paralympics
Egypt: Going Hungry to Draw Attention to the Plight of Syrians
Syrian activists and artists abroad have been on hunger strike for almost two weeks, to draw attention to the atrocities being committed by the Syrian regime against their people.
Mauritania's Online Journalism Director Hires Hackers
Mauritanian activists on Facebook and Twitter uncover the attempt of the electronic journalism director, who is close to the political regime, to hire hackers to counter activists who oppose the Mauritanian regime. Dedda Weld Sheikh Ibrahim reports
Bahrain: Despite the Ban, Opposition Protests in the Capital
Despite a ban which prohibits Bahrainis from protesting in the capital Manama, demonstrators braved police and turned out for a call to protest led by opposition societies. Elias Maki takes a look at citizen media comments in the run up, during and after the protests.
Saudi Arabia: Reformist Figures Refuse Secret Trial
The third hearing session in the ongoing trials of two prominent Saudi human rights activists was held earlier today, September 8. Mohammad al-Qahtani and Abdullah al-Hamid, who are among the co-founders of the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association, are facing charges that include inciting the public to protest and impeding the country’s development. When the judge insisted on holding the session behind closed doors, the activists decided to leave.
