· October, 2010

Stories about Middle East & North Africa from October, 2010

Egypt: From Dakar … with love

  30 October 2010

Fatma Emam, an Egyptian female blogger, wrote about her experience in searching for her real identity during her visit to Dakar.

Egypt: The Story of Totalitarianism

  30 October 2010

Egyptian-in-USA wrote interesting reflections from George Orwell's novel 1984, projecting them to the current political situation in Egyptian today.

MENA: Women Writing; Women Reading

  30 October 2010

Canadian expat, Maryanne Gabbani, recommended a few of her favorite female writers from the Arab world. In a way, she is trying to prove her experience that while life for women in the Middle East is all sunshine and lollipops, women are not the doormats that they are imagined to...

Iran:Palin, Crowley in Twitter Duel

  30 October 2010

According to several news sites “a tongue-in-cheek US birthday message to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over Twitter [by PJ Crowley State Department spokesman] may not have reached the intended recipient, but triggered a rebuke from someone else — Sarah Palin.”

Greece: Iranian refugees on hunger strike

  29 October 2010

Twenty-five Iranian refugees in Athens, Greece have gone on hunger strike since October 14 demanding that Greek authorities process their political asylum applications. Some have had their mouths sewn shut.

Iran: Digital Media Fair

  28 October 2010

The 4th International Digital Media Fair was run from October 9 to 16 in Tehran. Akase Mosalman, has published several photos from this digital event in Iran.

Egypt: Why Does Saudi Arabia Need So Many Helicopters?

  28 October 2010

Issandr El Amrani, from the Arabist, wonders why Saudi Arabia needs to purchase so many helicopters. “What will they use all of these helicopters for? Future incursions into Yemen? Riot control in Dhahran province? Counter-terrorism in the Empty Quarter? Helicopters, unlike F-15s, are not really for engaging another state (like...

Iran: Tehran at night

  28 October 2010

Kosoof, a leading photo blogger from Iran, has published a collection photos of Tehran at night.

Egypt: On Salafis and Shias

  28 October 2010

“Because some did not believe the claims that the Egyptian regime is behind the Salafi channels and the Salafi trend in the country , the suspension of the Salafi channels revealed very interesting facts,” writes Zeinobia, at Egyptian Chronicles.

Lebanon: TV Shows on Homosexuality Create Buzz

  26 October 2010

"A gay killer has the passion of a woman and the aggression of a man," states Zaven Kouyoumjian, Lebanese host of Siree Wenfatahet, a program broadcast by Future TV and one of the highest rated TV shows in the Middle East. Following are reactions from the LGBT community in Lebanon on this show and others dealing with the gay community on television.

Israel: Controversial Loyalty Oath Undermines Democracy

  25 October 2010

The Israeli cabinet approved by a 22-8 vote the proposed amendment to Israel's Citizenship Law, which would require all those seeking citizenship to pledge allegiance to Israel as a “Jewish and democratic state," sparking controversy on the ground and online.

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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.