Stories about Arabic from November, 2011
Algeria: A News Site's Founder on the State of Citizen Media
Thalia Rahme interviews Fayçal Anseur, founder of Algerian news site Algérie-Focus about the site's goals and the state of citizen media in Algeria.
UAE: Detained Activists Begin Hunger Strike
Five activists held in the UAE since April and currently standing trial for publishing material online, using aliases, have started an open-ended hunger strike to draw attention to their plight and the abuse they are receiving in prison. Mona Kareem checks out netizens' reactions to their cause.
Saudi Arabia: Outrage Over 10 Lashes for Female Driver
Shaima Jastaniya, a Saudi woman who was arrested after driving her car in Jeddah six months ago, has been sentenced to 10 lashes. The two female journalists who reported her punishment have been summoned to appear in court.
Syria: Reports of Slow Internet
On Twitter, Syrian blogger Anas reports [ar]: “The Internet has been unbeliveably slow for a few days in Syria. I think it is something done on purpose and not just...
Egypt: Homosexuals to Occupy Tahrir on January 1
Egypt's homosexuals have joined forces and intend to march in Tahrir Square on January 1 to demand their full rights in society. The announcement came in a Facebook group which called for the protest. Mona Kareem sums up netizen reactions to the initiative.
Egypt: Plight of Bloggers Continues at Military Courts
A military court today decided to jail blogger Alaa Abd El Fattah for another 15 days, 15 days after first detaining him, pending investigations on what defenders say are trumped up charges. Blogger Maikel Nabil Sanad's trial was also once again postponed until November 27.
Yemen: Netizens Accuse Reuters of Biased Reporting
Many people were shocked to find out that the reputable and trusted source of news Reuters, has employed Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh's personal translator and secretary since 2009, Mohammed Sudam, as its manager in Yemen and head correspondent.
Egypt: Why Free Blogger Alaa Abd El Fattah?
A military court judge will decide today whether Alaa Abd El Fattah will be released or will spend another 15 days behind bars, pending investigations on what defenders say are trumped up charges. On Twitter, supporters have been rallying for his freedom under the hashtag #WhyFreeAlaa . Here is a selection of some of the tweets under this hashtag.
Syria: Arab League Suspends Syria's Membership
The Arab League slapped Syria on the wrist today for killing more than 3,000 of its citizens by suspending its membership from the pan-Arab group, starting on Wednesday. Netizens react to the League's decision.
Bahrain: Are Police Cars Running Over Protesters on Purpose?
Bahrain has long maintained that it was dealing with unrest according to international law. Netizens have, however, been working around the clock to document human rights abuses committed by the authorities and posting them online for the world to see. In this post, Mona Kareem checks out videos posted online to show attempts by the police to run over protesters. Are police cars running over protesters on purpose?
Egypt: Feminist Publishes Nude Photograph to “Express her Freedom”
An Egyptian feminist posted her nude photograph on the internet to express her freedom. Netizens react to the move in this post by Tarek Amr.
Tunisia: Police Violently Disperse Anti-Capitalism Protesters
On November 11, anti-capitalism protesters took to the streets of Tunisia, as part of a global movement called ''Occupy the World on 11.11.11.'' Police used baton, and tear gas to disperse demonstrators in the capital Tunis, causing an outcry among netizens.
Yemen: Taiz is Bleeding while the UN Envoy is in Sanaa
Yesterday's arrival of the UN envoy Bin Omar to Sanaa didn't seem to deter president Ali Abdullah Saleh or his forces from defiantly committing more violence and atrocities in Taiz. The continuous and random shelling by Saleh forces on Taiz's residential areas has caused many deaths and injuries to civilians and destruction of many homes. Noon Arabia takes us to the heart of the suffering of Yemenis in this post.
Lebanon: Jeita Grotto… To Vote or Not to Vote
Will the Jeita Grotto in Lebanon be named as one of the New7Wonders of Nature today? Layal Al Khatib sums up the discussion between Lebanese netizens in favour and against the voting contest.
Tunisia: Army Critic Sentenced to Two Months in Prison
On November 9, Nabil Hajlaoui, from Sidi Bouzid, was sentenced to two months in prison following his criticism of the Tunisian military institution. He was arrested after writing an article, in which he blamed the army for the recent riots and acts of vandalism which took place in Sidi Bouzid following the elections.
Global Campaigns in Solidarity with Syria Keep Growing
There has been a global outpouring of initiatives in solidarity with the Syrian people. Social media and older technologies, like the telephone, are being used to let Syrians know that they have not been forgotten, especially during the Muslim festival of Eid Al-Adha.
Tunisia: The Day Ben Ali Became President
November 7 marks the day when former Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali took over the country's presidency through a bloodless coup in 1987. This year, Tunisian netizens are sharing their views and feelings of a November 7 without Ben Ali.
Egypt: All Set for Parliamentary Elections 2011
Voting for Egypt's parliamentary elections begins on November 29. Get up to date with the process and some of the issues netizens are discussing about the country's first elections since the ouster of former president Hosni Mubarak.
Bahrain: Reports of Military Personnel Tortured, Imprisoned, and Killed by Regime
Bahraini Twitter users joined hands to draw attention to the cases of scores of military personnel - soldiers and policemen - detained, tortured and said to be killed by the regime, since pro-democracy protests started in the country on February 14. Here is a collection of tweets which tell us more about their cases.
Tunisia: Netizens Turn to Facebook to Criticise Islamists
The question of the power of Islamic movements has become a hot topic since the so called Arab Spring started in Tunisia last December. Mona Kareem takes a look at how Tunisian netizens are turning to Facebook to criticise and mock this movement and draw support to Tunisia's secular way of life.
Kuwait: Twitter Users Arrested then Released for “Insulting” Amir
Kuwaiti Twitter users Hamad AlOlayan and Tariq Al-mutairi were arrested and then charged with insulting the country's ruler on the social networking site. They have since been released but the investigation against them continues. Here are reactions to their arrest.
