Stories about Arabic from February, 2012
Egypt: The Army and the Economy
Egyptian Vlogger Aalam Wassef reacts to the Egyptian security forces intentional aiming at activist Salma Said with a video mentioning a list of foreign companies dealing with the Egyptian army.
Palestine: Rare Photographs of the Palestinian Nakba of 1948
Blogger Iqbal Tamimi posts rare photographs of the Palestinian Nakba of 1948.
Saudi Arabia: Qatif Protestor Shot
On Twitter, Arab Revolution shares a link to a video allegedly showing a Saudi protester in Qatif getting shot. The video is dated February 9.
Saudi Arabia: Fate of Journalist Hamza Kashgari Hangs in the Balance
Saudi journalist Hamza Kashgari set off a social media firestorm last week when he tweeted an imaginary conversation with the Prophet Mohammed, causing the young man to flee the country in the face of threats. Now, social media users debate Kashgari's fate as he faces extradition from Malaysia.
Tunisia: Reports About a Court to Decide on “Interim” President's Title Refuted
The office of the ¨Presidency in Tunisia denied rumors initiated by a local newspaper claiming that on February 13, a court in the capital will issue a verdict about the use of the term “interim” by the state media when referring to the current President Moncef Marzouki and his government.
Morocco: Busted for Posting Caricatures of the King on Facebook
On February 7, Walid Bahomane appeared before a court in the Moroccan capital Rabat. The 18-year-old is accused of "defaming Morocco's sacred values" by posting pictures and videos on Facebook mocking king Mohammed VI of Morocco. Moroccan netizens are closing ranks in solidarity with Bahomane.
Tunisia: Decision to Expel Syrian Ambassador Sparks Heated Debate
On February 1, Tunisia, the birthplace of the so-called Arab Spring, has started procedures to expel the Syrian Ambassador in Tunis, and to withdraw recognition of the Syrian regime. Netizens react to the decision.
Syria: “Revolution + Blood – Oil = Veto”
Netizens are still enraged over Saturday's double veto by Beijing and Moscow of the United Nations Security Council draft resolution on ending 11 months of violence in Syria.
Palestine: A Blogging Initiative for Jerusalem, the Praying City
Palestinian bloggers have joined hands to blog for their country, in a blogging initiative led by Abir Kopty under the theme: “For you, oh praying city, we blog.” In the following post, Kopty writes in Arabic about social media utilization in the Palestinian cause, and coordinating it with offline events on the ground.
Tunisia: Politicians and Deputies Opt for Open Governance Through Social Media
The toppling of the Ben Ali regime last January paved the way for a growth in the use of social media across Tunisia. Today, politicians are using the same tools repressed by the state to get their messages across to the people. Ahmed Medien takes us behind the scenes.
Bahrain: Celebration and Criticism Greet “Manama, Capital of Arab Culture 2012″
February 2 saw the official launch of Manama, Capital of Arab Culture 2012, which has been both welcomed and criticised by Bahrain's netizens. As the celebration was taking place, opposition protests were broken up elsewhere in the capital.
