Stories about Middle East & North Africa from August, 2011
Egypt: Using Twitter to Help a Cairo Community
After seeing the huge impact of social media on the Egyptian revolution, Egyptian blogger, Mahmoud Salem (@SandMonkey) decided to collaborate with a non-profit organisation, Peace and Plenty, to help them raise funds for a community in Cairo in need of basic services.
China: Who Could Have Known The Libyans Hate Gaddafi?
One of China's top military analysts at home, has turned the official line on Libya into something of a joke, and abroad, China's nominal support for Gaddafi may end up costing the country oil contracts and much more. Netizens look at the lessons Beijing could stand to learn.
Iran: Rogue SSL certificate and Iranian dissidents
Internet users and dissidents in Iran are believed to be at particular risk from the rogue SSL certificate, which is used to digitally “sign” HTTPS connections to any google.com site and was issued by a Dutch company called DigiNotar on 10 July. Read more here.
Russia: Bloggers React to the Storming of Tripoli
Compared to April 2011, when Global Voices first analyzed Russian reactions on the conflict, opinions seem to be more polarised now; bloggers had divided into two distinctive groups of supporters and opponents of Colonel Gaddafi. Alexey Sidorenko investigates.
China: Don’t rush to celebrate the post-Gaddafi era
Samuel Wade from China Digital Times has written a roundup post about different reactions in China, from official China Daily to bloggers and netizen, to the end of Gaddafi era in Liyba.
Saudi Arabia: A Special Twitter Hashtag for the King!
A Saudi hashtag entitled #tal3mrak which literary translates into “May god prolong your life” or “your majesty” if translated into a Western context, took Twitter by storm today. The hashtag came as a surprise to those who never thought Saudi netizens would have the courage to address their authorities via social media.
Egypt: Omar Soliman Facebook Army
A poll conducted by the Supreme Council of Armed Forces on their Facebook page to see how much support each of the potential Egyptian presidential elections candidates had on the ground yielded 'fishy' results. Here are reactions online after news emerged that a Facebook army was hired to tweak them.
Iran: Protests to Save Lake Urmia Reignited
Once again protesters have poured again into streets of Tabriz and Urmia in Iran's Azerbaijan region on Sunday to call on the Iranian government to save the dying Urmia Lake.
Egypt: Victories of Civilians Against Military Trials
Activists are pulling all the stops online - and on the ground - to draw attention to civilians put on trial in military courts, following the Egyptian revolution. Nermeen Edrees brings us the story.
Libya: The Liberation of Tripoli
The Internet is back on in the Libyan capital Tripoli, after a blackout that lasted about six months. One by one bloggers and tweeps from Tripoli are coming online, sharing their feelings, emotions and hopes after months of absence and turmoil. Fozia Mohamed brings us their feedback.
Lebanon: Public Transportation Do's and Don'ts
Lebanese blogger Racha at Lebanese Voices posts a list of Do's and Don'ts for tourists for taking taxis in Lebanon.
Lebanon: New Internet Prices
A new decree has finally passed by the Lebanese cabinet to create new internet packages and lower prices. Here's how Ontornet saw it in their latest post.
Bahrain: “By our silence we also incur a share in the guilt”
“By our silence we also incur a share in the guilt. This is why we have to support Bahrainis in their quest for freedom,” blogger Lina Ben Mhenni writes on A Tunisian Girl, reminding us of a forgotten and savagely repressed part of the Arab Spring.
Turkey: An Armenian Adventure on Two Wheels
Despite historical differences and a closed border, an Armenian motorcyclist travels across Turkey, blogging his experiences and observations en route.
Iran: “Islamic Awakening” or NATO Victory in Libya?
Iranian citizens continue to follow recent developments in Libya with great interest, and are flooding cyberspace with comments, posts and tweets.
Iran: Online Petition for jailed Green Leaders
Green Movement has launched an online petition on 11th of August to demand freedom for two opposition (Green) leaders, Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karoubi.
Iran: Young men sing in Isfahan
Here is a video film in YouTube showing young Iranians gathering under a bridge in Isfahan every afternoon to sing.
Lessons Gaddafi Should Have Learnt from North Korea
Joshua from One Free Korea, in comparing the North Korean situation with the fall of Gaddafi, explains about the importance of the nuclear deterrent in sustaining the North Korean regime and its dictator, Kim Jong-il.
Russia, Libya: RT's Coverage of the Conflict
Democratist writes about Russia Today's coverage of the situation in Libya.
Iran: “Tonight, the Islamic Regime's Generals will Have Nightmares”
Several Iranian cyber activists celebrated the victory of anti-Muammar Gaddafi forces in Libya, and compared it with the situations in Iran and Syria. They shared in the joy of liberation with Libyans, but also expressed their anxieties for the future.
Arab World: “Assad, You are Next After Gaddafi!”
As Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's hours are quickly running out, Twitter users are issuing their warnings to Syrian president Bashar Al Assad to take heed, and leave power. Here is a cross-section of reactions by Amira Al Hussaini.
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