Stories about Middle East & North Africa from July, 2010
Iran: Mohammad Nouri,famous singer, died
Several bloggers reported that the Iranain famous singer, Mohammad Nouri passed away today in Iran. Here is one of his most songs, Jane Maryam.
Qatar: Residents survive change to eight-digit phone numbers
In an effort to meet future demand, Qatar changes most mobile and landline numbers from seven to eight digits. Residents complain, but find the transition to be easier than expected.
Lebanon: Felesteen 2.0
Felesteen 2.0 is setting up a series of new blogs as part of their social media project. The new bloggers are residents of the Shatila camp, ranging from 14 – 22 years of age with diverse educational backgrounds.
Qatar: Expats Question Future Plans
If you are a long term resident in one of the GCC countries, what are your long-term plans? What will you do when you return home? At Qatar Living, expatriates attempt to answer the inevitable question: What will you do when you return home?
Egypt: Do Egyptians have a natural aversion towards women?
Do Egyptians have a natural aversion towards women? Zeinobia is very unhappy with this emerging social trend, Mohaly is wondering where we are going with segregation, Diptychal wonders why they want to shut them up, and Eman Hashim is begging mothers to love their daughters!
Palestine: A Possibility of Military Conscription?
The Hamas government's Interior Minister, Fathi Hammad, earlier this week announced that he was considering expanding Gaza's military force, initially with volunteers and eventually with conscripts. Bloggers in Gaza have reacted with astonishment to the idea.
Morocco: Agharass's New Photography Blog
Moroccan blogger Agharass is known for having an eclectic blog with posts (in French) on a variety of subjects from Palestine to pop culture, often peppered with the blogger's own photographs. Agharass now has a photo blog, entitled Portfolio de Agharass!
Egypt: Is Egypt Sinking?
The Economist has published a special report on Egypt and its future after President Hosni Mubarak, who has now been recognized as the 21st century sick man of the Middle East. Egyptian bloggers have their say.
Israel: Rape by Deceit or Racism?
The recent conviction of rape by deceit of an Arab posing as a Jew to seduce a Jewish woman to engage in sexual intercourse has sparked conversations across the Hebrew blogosphere about the dire inequality between Jews and Arabs living in Israel. Gilad Lotan translates some of the reactions from Hebrew.
Francophonie: Like Fine Wine, Twitter Experience Gets Better With Age
An unexpected but deliciously nostalgic hash tag #jesuisvieux (I am old) has been trending in French social media. The timeline for the hashtag is filled with often humorous updates, and provides a snapshot of the evolution of information technology use.
Iran: Campaign to Free Jailed Photo-Blogger Hamed Saber
More than 70 Iranian university graduates and academics are calling for the release of Hamed Saber, an Iranian photo-blogger and computer scientist who was arrested for unknown reasons on 21 June 2010 in Tehran.
Algeria: The Origins of the Berbers
Where did the Berbers originate from? Algerian linguist Lameen Souag attempts an answer here. Please read the comments too.
Israel: “Oliver Stone is a Nutcase”
“Oliver Stone is a nutcase,” announces Yael, from Life in Israel. “Oliver Stone has come out with some virulently anti-semitic comments, claiming that Jews control the media, downplayed the Holocaust, defended Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and complained about Jewish influence in the United States…” she continues.
Syria: Mariya continues her story-telling
From Syria, Mariya enchants her readers with another story on history, love and relationships, which she will post in series. This is the first part.
Egypt: Americans need appointments to visit Embassy
Joseph Mayton, who is based in Cairo, tweets: “American Embassy in Cairo bars Americans from walk-ins, starts appointment only access to Embassy – down with Embassies!”
Yemen: A Tour of Al Mukalla
From Yemen, Omar takes us on a tour of Al Mukalla here. Click on the link to check out the photographs.
Iraq: Going Back to America
Ice Cold, from the Kirkuk Air Base in Iraq, tweets: “It's official… we're here in Irq another 4 more weeks… Nothing cam be finer than gettin’ back to Carolina!!!”
Lebanon: Tweet Up Date Set
A tweet up (a meeting for Twitter users) will be held in Hamra, Beirut, on July 28, from 7pm to 10pm local time. Here are the details.
Syria: A Sample of Syrian Proverbs
The Arabic language is rich with proverbs. A sample of Syrian proverbs can be found here.
Saudi Arabia: Muttawa in Action
Saudi Woman shows a visitor the Muttawa (religious policemen) in action in one of the malls.
Iraq: Ban on topless women?
After France imposed a ban on the veil, Iraqi Layla Anwar tweeted: “I am looking forward to see a ban on topless Western tourists on Muslim countries beaches…”
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