· February, 2010

Stories about Middle East & North Africa from February, 2010

Iran: Webcomic about a young protester

  28 February 2010

Zahra's paradise ,a graphic novel, is the fictional story of the search for Mehdi, a young protestor who has disappeared in the Islamic Republic’s gulags.”

Palestine: Sleepless in Gaza

  28 February 2010

The premier episode of a 90 part series, Sleepless in Gaza…and Jerusalem will be launched on YouTube on March 1st. The series will be a video diary about four young Palestinian women, Muslim and Christian, two living in Gaza and two in Arab Jerusalem/West Bank. The series will show how...

Morocco: Maghreb Bloggers Search for Common Ground

  27 February 2010

A three-day workshop for bloggers from Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco was held from 15 to 17 February 2010 in the Moroccan capital Rabat. Participating bloggers reported and live-tweeted the event. They shared their blogging experiences, engaged in lively debates openly confronting their views on contentious issues and were encouraged to reflect on ways to find grounds for mutual understanding.

Egypt: DC Rally for Kareem Amer

  24 February 2010

Supporters in Washington DC held a rally in support of jailed Egyptian blogger Kareem Amer. Kareem has been in prison for three years as part of a four year sentence for insulting Islam and Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak.

Egypt: Fan Page for ElBaradei

  23 February 2010

Egyptian fans formed a Facebook group in support of Mohamed El Baradei – whom they hope would run for President. The group has so far attracted more than 6,300 fans.

Bahrain: Blog Hacked?

  23 February 2010

Bahraini blogger Mohammed Al Maskati suspects that his blog has been hacked and here‘s what he did.

Lebanon: The Return of the Kamikaze

  20 February 2010

Lebanese Blogger and Illustrator Maya Zankoul shares her story of watching a mother crossing a very crowded and dangerous highway with her two children on foot.

Palestine/West Bank: Peace Protesters use Avatar Movie Visuals

  20 February 2010

Recent protest against land appropriation of the West Bank village of Bil'in included Palestinian and Israeli activists masked as Na'vi characters from the controversial Avatar movie, which they consider anti-imperialist. Video clips posted by NGO “Friends of Freedom and Justice – Bilin” show Israeli Defense Forces using tear gas and...

Iran: Cyber Islamic Militarism on the March

  19 February 2010

The internet is usually touted as a space for dialogue and peaceful exchange, but in the case of Iran, the political conflict has also morphed into new forms of online "warfare" where the most powerful weapons are those that silence free speech.

Macedonia: Official Website of Skopje Old Bazaar

  19 February 2010

Archaeological Diary informs [MKD] about the opening of the official website [MKD] for governmental Program for Revitalization of the Old Bazaar in Skopje, one of the most significant cultural treasures from the Ottoman period. Archeologist Vasilka Dimitrovska notes that for true revitalization, one has to work on providing content and...

Morocco: To Valentine or Not to Valentine?

  17 February 2010

In Morocco, as in many countries, celebrating Valentine's Day has caught on as a modern expression of love. In major cities, storefronts stock candy hearts and teddy bears, but, as blogger Robin du Blog points out, the Moroccan media doesn't always encourage the celebration.

Citizen Video wins George Polk Journalism Award

  16 February 2010

The citizen video recording the death of Neda, an Iranian woman during the presidential election protests in Iran has won the George Polk Award in Journalism. This amateur and anonymous video spread throughout the world and became a symbol of the Iranian Resistance and citizen journalism.

Iran: Bus Drivers Union Calls for Green-Labor Unity

  16 February 2010

In Ahwaznews, an Iranian blog we read [fa]:”Starting March 6, We the Workers of Vahed Company [bus drivers] Will Wage Acts of Civil Disobedience (or white strike) to Protest the Condition of Mansoor Osanloo in Prison. We Appeal to the Iranian People and to the Democratic Green Movement–of which we...

Egypt: Recall your Corolla

  16 February 2010

Zeinobia mentions that the Egyptian Consumer Protection Agency has obliged Toyota Egypt to recall some of its models from the market, in order to fix defects Toyota announced earlier on the company’s expense.

Egypt: One year on from Gaza

  16 February 2010

Philip Rizk writes his thoughts and memories, a year after his abduction by Egyptian authorities – during his participation in the “To Gaza” march. He then covers a protest organized in Cairo in coordination with activists in Beirut, calling for an end to the construction of the Wall of Shame...

About our Middle East & North Africa coverage

Mariam A.
Mariam A. is the editor for the Middle East & North Africa. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.