Stories about Arabic from March, 2011
Morocco: Peaceful Marches Across the Kingdom
Inspired by the Tunisian and Egyptian uprisings, Moroccans have been taking to the streets since last February 2011, demonstrating week in, week out, calling for a reform of the constitution and for the establishment of a democratic parliamentary system. Peaceful marches were held on Sunday, March 20th, across the kingdom. Minutes of the marches were followed on the Internet via Twitter, Facebook and Youtube.
Bahrain: A Video Timeline of Police Brutality
As international media focus shifts toward Libya and the rapidly unfolding events there, Bahrain government is unleashing a violent assault on pro-democracy protesters. Amid the media blackout, citizens are taking their cameras out and capturing the violence the state-run media is carefully concealing.
Libya: More Threats from Gaddafi as He Speaks Again
Colonel Muammar Al Gaddafi, who spoke on Libyan television again, threatened a long war, said the coalition would be defeated and that his forces would emerge victorious. Tweeps, who tweeted his speech, said Gaddafi, who has ruled Libya for 42 years, also stressed on religion, in a bid to gain sympathy from Muslims around the world.
Libya: Air Strikes on Libya Begin
Air strikes on Libya, aimed at crippling Muammar Gaddafi's air defenses, just started, receiving mixed reactions from people around the world. A coalition made up of the US, France, Italy, Canada and the US have been formed for the offensive to uproot Gaddafi, whose people have called for his ousting since popular uprisings started in the country on February 16.
Syria: Protests Across the Country, 6 Reported Killed in Dara'a
Syria is the latest country to join the wave of erupting protests across the Middle East. While previous calls for protests on 5 February failed, a renewed call to take to the streets on 15 March managed to bring several hundred people to the streets in multiple cities including the capital, Damascus, and Aleppo. Today, in the southern city of Dara'a, 6 protesters have reportedly been killed.
Saudi Arabia: King Promises Saudis More Money
More money was promised to Saudis today, following an address by King Abdulla to the nation. In a short address, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques thanked clerics, writers and the Ministry of Interior for their efforts in defending the kingdom. Announcements and decrees then followed that billions would be dished out on Saudis.
Bahrain: Curfew Announced and An Officer's Funeral
On Wednesday afternoon, the Bahrain Defense Force announced in their 4th statement that a curfew will be imposed until further notice. The funeral of a police officer killed in duty was attended by many.
Bahrain: Police and Military Clear Protesters in Manama (Videos)
This post is part of our special coverage of Bahrain Protests 2011. On Wednesday March 16th, a day after the King of Bahrain announced a State of National Security, police...
Bahrain: Bloody Crackdowns on Villages
On Tuesday, before King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa announced a State of National Security giving powers to the army and other forces to secure the country, police carried out crackdowns across a number of villages in the central area in Bahrain.
Bahrain: State of National Security Called
On Tuesday March 15, 2011, one month after protests started on the February 14 in Bahraini capital Manama, His Highness King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa announced a State of National Security, giving full power to the army to protect national security.
Palestine: Demonstrations For Unity Begin
Palestinians were not at first mentioned on the Arab “revolution timetable“, but a date for protests was indeed set for 15 March. These protests are taking place in towns and cities throughout the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and the focus is Palestinian unity – a stand against the political divisions that have riven Palestinian society for many years.
Yemen: A Life-Threatening Message to Blogger Afrah Nasser
Yemeni blogger and journalist, Afrah Nasser, received a threatening message on Facebook on March 13 and decided to post it on her blog “so the entire world reads it“. The original message was in Arabic and she translated to English, provoking many concerned responses from online friends.
Japan: Earthquake, “how to protect yourself” in 30 languages
TUFS students launched a website with advices on risk management translated in more than 30 languages. The website provides “a basic guide in several languages to what to do when...
Lebanon: Women's Anger At New Tourism Campaign
The Lebanese online community has responded angrily to a new campaign by the country's Ministry of Tourism, which aims to attract potential tourists from around the world with thoughts of Lebanese women. A letter of protest from a group of female netizens is demanding the advert's recall - and an apology.
Global: Thoughts on the World Day Against Cyber-Censorship
Bloggers took action on the World Day Against Cyber-Censorship on March 12, 2011, and spent the weekend commenting on the state of online freedom of expression, raising awareness about censorship and sharing tips to circumvent it.
Jordan: Bloggers Celebrate Their Country
March 12, 2011 marked the fourth annual Blog for Jordan day. Jordanians, foreigners living in Jordan, and Jordanians living abroad, all pitched in to write about their love for Jordan and their hopes for its future.
Egypt: Leaked Documents Reveal Dirty Games of Former Regime
When a number of Egyptian protestors attacked the headquarters of the hated State Security in different Egyptian cities, their aim was not to show their contempt for the unpopular institution, a symbol of Mubarak’s regime, but it was rather to rewrite history.
The Forgotten Palestinian Refugees of Libya
More than 10 percent of Libya's inhabitants are immigrants and among them there are reportedly up to 70,000 Palestinian refugee settlers. As they flee violence in the country, the Palestinian Authority has tried to coordinate their evacuation, but lack of identity cards has seen them turned away from a border crossing in Egypt.
Kuwait: Hundreds Rally for PM Change
A few hundred people gathered in Kuwait today calling for "a new government, with a new Prime Minister, and a new approach." The protest turn out was smaller than anticipated and ended with no incident.
Morocco: Women Celebrate International Day
Moroccan women, who have long been at the forefront of the civil society's struggle for a better and more dignified life, celebrated the 100th anniversary of the International Women's Day today. Across the Moroccan blogosphere, male and female bloggers have been reflecting on this occasion.
Saudi Arabia: “Demonstrations are Forbidden in This Country”
Saudi Arabia's council of senior clerics issued a statement forbidding public protests. The announcement caused a storm of reaction from Saudi tweeps.
