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Stories about West Asia & North Africa from July, 2009
Iran: Mourning the Victims of Protest
Thousands of Iranians gathered in Behesht Zahra cemetery in Tehran on Thursday to commemorate Neda Agha-Soltani and the victims of the protest movement. Dozens have been killed and hundreds jailed.
Global: George W. Bush as Middle East Envoy?
An opinion piece written for Newsweek suggesting George W. Bush make an excellent complement to U.S. President Obama as Middle East envoy has made waves in the blogosphere.
Egypt: Fox News Creative Chaos
Egyptian blogger Zeinobia reacts to a mistake on Fox News, where Egypt is placed on a map instead of Iraq. Our Morocco author Jillian C York makes a similar observation...
Russia: Activists Appeal To Iranian Opposition
On July 26, LJ user dobrokhotov wrote (RUS) about a rally in front of the Iranian embassy in Moscow, organized by the Russian democratic youth movement “We” in support of...
Iran: Mourning the Green Movement's Victims
Several Iranian bloggers and news sites reported that several thousands people commemorated the protest movement's victims when the police attacked them. Here is a video of today's gathering in Behesht...
Hijablogging: On Burqas and Bans
Although the practice of wearing hijab has been around since pre-Islamic times, the debate surrounding it has increased in recent years. Whereas in some countries, hijab is mandated, in others, it has been banned in schools, workplaces, and sometimes altogether. But whether required or forbidden, Muslim women's dress is almost always a topic of hot debate.
Egypt: A Car Trade Social Service.
CarLog is a new online service for trading cars in Egypt that enables car owners to share photos, videos, and reviews of their vehicles on Facebook.
Iran: Kahrizak, a prison from Hell
Iranian authorities shut down Kahrizak, a prison in Tehran where the election protestors were held. Kodan Ba Estedad shares one ‘victim's story of torture in Kahrizak.
Syria: How to Make Mutabal
Kano, of Syrian Foodie in London, shares with us the recipe of how to make Mutabal – an appetizer made of grilled aubergine, tahini and yogurt, and found “on every...
Syria: Bits of US-imposed Sanctions Lifted
At KABOBfest, Jillian discusses the US lifting of “two bits of its sanctions on Syria.” “The lifting of the IT ban seems, to me, to be low-hanging fruit, the simplest...
Morocco: Looking for Food in Fez
Moroccan blog The View from Fez catches up with Gail Leonard whose culinary adventure in the medina (city) leaves you hungry.
Lebanon: Saudi Spills Beans on Show
A Lebanese television show is in danger of being taken off the air “after a Saudi man participated in the show and spilled out all his romantic escapades, which are...
Syria: Computer and Internet Sanctions Lifted
“The US is removing some of its sanctions on Syria, just months after the embargo was controversially renewed. Syria’s Ambassador to Washington, Imad Moustapha, says the block on computer equipment...
Morocco: Summer Flower
From Morocco, Hassi Milli posts those photographs which he captions as “Summer Flower.”
Israel: Interesting Talk on Sovereignty
Muse and her husband, from Israel, attended a day at the Knesset and shares her impressions as well as photographs she took in this post. “We attended a very interesting...
Citizens of the World rally for Iran
On Saturday 25 July, 2009, Iranians and non-Iranians alike responded to the initiative United4Iran by taking part in an event to support the Iranian struggle for freedom and human rights. Coverage...
Iran: Solidarity with Green Movement in Dubai
Several Iranians took part in a demonstration in Dubai on Saturday July 25, to support Iranians in their struggle for democracy. According to Saharlar, the police dispersed the rally after...
Israel: Cellular firm ad stirs occupation debate
A television ad for Cellcom, the largest Israeli cellular provider, sprung an unprecedented debate on the face of the Israeli occupation over the past two weeks. The advert shows Israeli soldiers playing soccer with unseen Palestinians over the wall separating Israel and the West Bank, to the sound of popular music. The ad was accepted as insensitive at best by many Israelis, becoming an icon of blindness to the occupation in the Israeli society, writes Carmel L. Vaisman.
Palestine: Back Home In Gaza
Dr. Mona El-Farra is back home in Gaza after a prolonged absence: “I now see a different Gaza, and it is not the Gaza I have known, it is like...
Palestine: No Security
In the West Bank, activist Hannah Mermelstein writes: “A friend of mine here once told me that she never feels safe, so safety is not a consideration for her in...
Palestine: Indigenous Solidarity
In the West Bank, Marcy Newman has been teaching young Palestinians about indigenous Americans, as preparation for a solidarity visit by a group of Native Americans next month.
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