· June, 2010

Stories about Middle East & North Africa from June, 2010

Lebanon: No to The Rule of Dinosaurs

  30 June 2010

A new Facebook group named No to Dinosaur Rule: So that Lebanon Doesn't Turn into a New Arab Prison (Ar) has been formed. The group advocates freedom of speech.

Egypt: Heat Blamed for Hurghada Oil Spill

  29 June 2010

There is an oil spill off the coast of Hurghada and Egyptian officials are blaming it on “oil seeping from the ground due to heat.” Egyptian Chronicles has more here.

Bahrain: What Happened to the Mubtakar Terrorists?

  29 June 2010

Bahraini blogger Mahmood Al Yousif wonders what happened to five Bahrainis implicated in a 2003 terrorist plot to detonate an explosive device on the New York City subway system called the “Mubtakar.” “Whatever happened to those five “men” I wonder? Anyone knows?” he asks.

Middle East: Goodbye Saramago

  29 June 2010

Bloggers across the Middle East mourned the death of Portuguese writer Jose Saramago. Tarek Amr rounds up their reactions.

Egypt: The Ministry of Interior Seeks Revenge

  29 June 2010

Egyptian activists have utilised citizen media to the fullest in exposing police torture and corruption. Marwa Rakha writes about their newest initiative and uncovers the case of an Egyptian activist held in neighbouring Libya in this post.

Africa: Africa's old men

  29 June 2010

Africa's old men: “I haven’t checked the maths but here’s something interesting sent in to us from a subscriber: Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe) age 86, Hosni Mubarak (Egypt) age 82, Hifikepunye Pohamba (Namibia) age 74, Rupiah Banda (Zambia) age 73, Mwai Kibaki (Kenya) age 71…”

Lebanon: Letter to the President

  29 June 2010

Lebanese blogger finkployd writes a letter to the Lebanese President Michel Suleiman after three people were arrested for insulting him on Facebook.

Morocco: The Henna Experience

  28 June 2010

Henna as an art form has existed for thousands of years. Peace Corps volunteer Emily recently experienced it firsthand in Morocco. Jillian C York takes us on Emily's journey.

Iran: A woman may face stoning to death

  26 June 2010

According to several blogs including Rahrovaneraheakbar [fa], Sakine Mohmadi Ashtyani may face stoning to death in near future in Tabriz, in Iran. She was accused of having sex with two men who killed her husband.

Iran: Derakhshan's trial started

  23 June 2010

According to [fa] several sites including Fars News, Hossein Derakhshan‘s trial started today. The Iranian blogger has been in jail for 21 months and he was accused of “collaborating with ennemi states, doing propaganda against Islamic regime, insulting religious sanctities and doing propaganda for anti-revolutionary groups.”

Iran: Mir-Hossein Mousavi Cartoon Upsets Greens

  23 June 2010

A leading Iranian cartoonist and blogger based in Canada, Nikahang Kowsar, posted a cartoon this month of opposition leader Mir-Hossein Mousavi that has caused numerous reactions in Iranian citizen media. It shows Mousavi 10 years from now, writing his 300th statement.

Egypt: Looking Inside Mr Egypt

  21 June 2010

Twenty-six-year-old Tarek Mohammed Nagiub Abdel Gawad has been named Mr Egypt 2010. Bloggers react to the title and his participation in Mister World 2010, held in South Korea.

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