Stories about Arabic from March, 2011
Yemen: Protesters Vulnerable to Violent Attacks
Protests demanding the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh continue for a successive fourth week in Yemen. Saleh has invited all political forces to talk. The invitation was refused by the opposition. At the same time, attacks carried out by security forces and loyalists to Saleh on peaceful demonstrators continued.
Jordan: #HashtagDebates and Reforms
The second #HashtagDebates organized by 7iber took place at Makan House in Amman this evening (March 7). 7iber, the Jordanian youth-orientated independent media outlet has been contributing to growing public dialog both online and offline through several programs and activities.
Jordan: I Love Jordan because …
Love was in the air in the Jordanian Twittersphere as tweeps took turns to list why they love their country under a new hashtag #ILoveJordan making the rounds lately. Betsy Fisher rounds up some of the reactions.
Mauritania: Mauritanian youth protesters’ 7 points
Kal reproduces and translates Mauritanian youth protesters’ 7 points: The list was published on the Facebook page of the website “For Mauritania.” Each item on the list includes detailed explanations...
Arab World: Bloggers Compete for Arabisk Competition
Arab bloggers are vying for the Best of the Arabic Blogs Awards, Arabisk, which is now in the judging phase of the competition. The top 20 nominations in four categories are being judged now, and the competition results will be announced at the beginning of April. Haifa Al Rasheed has more on the competition.
Egypt: Storming State Security
The Headquarters of the infamous State Security (Amn El-Dawla in Arabic) in several cities Egypt were attacked by thousands of Egyptian protesters after the notorious apparatus started burning and damaging evidence of human rights abuses it had committed over decades. Bloggers and netizens react to these developments in this post.
Saudi Arabia: What Saudis Demand
As protests engulf the region, Saudis too are making their voices heard. A petition addressed to King Abdulla is being circulated, with demands aimed at wide ranging political reforms. Also on Twitter, tweeps are listing their demands for a better country.
Saudi Arabia: Protests Reach Eastern Province
The flame of protests raging across the Arab world, from the Ocean to the Gulf, has reached the Saudi Arabian cities Al Qatif and Al Hafouf. More than 100 people gathered in each of the two cities for the release of Shiite cleric Tawfiq Al Amir, who was arrested on Friday, March 4, after calling for a constitutional monarchy and a war against corruption. Al Amir was released a few hours ago.
Morocco: Casablanca Protest Draws Thousands
Protests in Casablanca's Mohammed V square today drew thousands of Moroccans, as evidenced by the many photos and videos being posted online. Participants in the demonstration are demanding government reform and an end to corruption.
Egypt: The Day the Secrets Were Revealed (Videos)
After the Egyptians succeeded in toppling Hosni Mubarak - they set their goal on cutting the hydra's tentacles. A full-waged war started last night against the dreaded State Security apparatus, known as Amn Dawla in Arabic, after news was filtered that this notorious organisation was burning and shredding dossiers and documents. Protesters stormed into the centres, to reveal secrets hidden within their walls.
Middle East: Revolutionary Breeze Blowing from Cairo to Benghazi
Egyptian Tarek Shalaby shares the details of the trip he organized with friends to Libya in order to show solidarity with the Libyan people, as well as deliver medical supplies to them.
Egypt: Ayman Nour's Stolen Mobile and False Tweet
Egyptian politician Ayman Nour's Twitter account acted up last night - first with a tweet saying that he would not run for the next presidential elections, and then with a tweet saying he hasn't decided yet and that his mobile phone, which had access to his Twitter account was stolen. Tweeps react to the developments here.
Tunisia: Reconciliation Between the People and the Government?
Tunisia's interim president Fouad Mebazaa addressed the public, promising a complete break with the old regime, yesterday (March 3, 2011). He announced that on July 24, the people will choose their representatives by electing a national constitutional assembly which will rewrite the constitution.
Lebanon: Protests Against Sectarian Regime
More than 2,500 Lebanese citizens marched last Sunday (February 27, 2011) in the capital Beirut against the sectarian system which they think is the reason of the country's problems. Here's how it went and how the Lebanese online community reacted. Other protests are planned for tomorrow (March 5).
Bahrain: Hamad Town Fight Sparks Rumours and Sectarianism
On Thursday night, a fight broke out in Hamad Town, southwest of Manama, between youths which later escalated to larger numbers with reports saying over 200 joined the fight using wood blocks, metal bars, knives and even swords. Here is how the incident played out on social media platforms.
Jordan: Creative Signs for Change at Amman Protest
Another Friday protest calling for reforms in Jordan took place in downtown Amman today (March 4, 2011). After a week of generally disappointed reactions at the newly appointed prime minister's speech, and negative, provocative statements from ex-ministers and members of parliament, some Jordanian citizens responded creatively in an ongoing call for reform and inclusive change.
Egypt: A TV Show that Ended a Prime Minister's Career
Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Shafik stepped down today (March 3), following a television show which bared him in front of Egyptian viewers. Protests asking for Shafik's resignation have continued since the day former President Hosni Mubarak stepped down on February 11, yet the show seemed to be the last nail in his political coffin.
Tunisia: Refugee Crisis at the Libya Border
The border between Tunisia and Libya has seen a massive influx of refugees since the uprising in Libya began. The initial journey is long and tough, and for most it doesn't end there. Huge crowds of thousands have been waiting for days in freezing cold weather to cross in to Tunisia.
Bahrain: Schools Break Out in Protest (Videos)
A number of secondary (high) schools broke out into anti-government protests across Bahrain on Tuesday March 1. Both boys' and girls' schools in Isa Town, Hamad Town and Jidhafs marched out of their schools in the middle of the school day in support of protesters camping at Pearl (Lulu) Roundabout.
Bahrain: Two Separate Rallies for National Unity
Peaceful protesting continued in Bahrain on Tuesday as seven of the main opposition groups organized a National Unity rally towards Pearl (Lulu) Roundabout. On Wednesday, a different rally is planned by another group called the Gathering of National Unity, with their own demands.
Yemen: Thousands Protest on Day of Wrath
Thousands of protesters are marching across Yemen, in a Day of Wrath, to condemn Friday's attacks on protests in Aden and call for the end of the Ali Abdullah Saleh regime. A defiant Saleh has meanwhile accused Israel and the US of orchestrating the wave of protests across the region.
