· September, 2011

Stories about West Asia & North Africa from September, 2011

Arab World: Nobel Peace Prize for Revolution Netizens?

Twitter is abuzz tonight as the names of Arab netizens are being circulated as possible candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize for the roles they have played in the Arab revolutions. The names of Global Voices Online very own Lina Ben Mhenni, Wael Ghonim and Esraa Abdelfattah are being mentioned.

27 September 2011

Bahrain: Protests on Election Eve

Protesters in Bahrain tried returning to Pearl Square, the centre of massive protests against the regime in February, on the eve of election night. Over two days, the unarmed protesters were pushed back to villages, where security forces continued to battle them until the early hours of this morning.

25 September 2011

Saudi Arabia: Women Allowed to Join Shura Council

Saudi women, who cannot drive in their own country, will be granted the right to become members in their country's 150-member consultative or Shura council, an advisory body which has limited powers in government and legislation. The decision was welcomed by netizens.

25 September 2011

Algeria: Football Matches New Venue to Air Dissent

Algerians have discovered a novel way to make their voices heard. Spectators in football matches are using the opportunity to voice political views, in a country which has so far shielded itself from the revolutions of the so-called Arab Spring.

25 September 2011

Yemen: Bloodbath in Sanaa as Saleh Returns

More than a 100 Yemenis have been killed and 700 injured as the government continues its war against protesters calling for a regime change. Yesterday saw the return of president Ali Abdulla Saleh, who spent three months recuperating in a Saudi hospital, following a failed assassination attempt.

24 September 2011

Tunisia: Whistleblower Samir Feriani Set Free

A military court in Tunis temporarily released whistle blower Samir Feriani, who spent 117 days in detention after publishing articles criticising the Tunisian Interior Ministry, on September 22. On September 29, his trial will resume and a verdict will be issued on his case. Netizens react to the news.

24 September 2011

Iran: Rage Over Video of Tortured Bear Cubs

A video shared by Iranian animal rights activists of a brown bear in Samirom being killed and her cubs tortured, has angered many Iranians and led to calls via blogs and Facebook for the "hunters" to be punished by authorities.

24 September 2011

Jordan: MPs Wage Battle Against the Youth

This week's House of Representatives parliament sessions in Amman, Jordan, have been the center of public discontent, especially among the youth community. Jordan's young population came under fire during the debate. Nadine Toukan explains.

23 September 2011

Iran: “Justice” in the Islamic Republic

Azadi-Esteghal-Edalat says [fa] with irony the regime released “two American spies” but keeps opposition leaders jailed. The blogger refers to the release of two American hikers who were accused of...

23 September 2011

Global: Reflections on Peace Day 2011

To mark the International Day of Peace, celebrated on September 21, female bloggers from The SunFlower Post share their perspectives on world peace by reflecting on the realities of their lives in Mexico, China, Turkey, Russia and Latvia.

21 September 2011

Qatar: Wadah Khanfar Resigns as Al Jazeera Head

Al Jazeera Network director general Wadah Khanfar announced his resignation today, creating a stir on social networking site Twitter. The Palestinian-born journalist, who was at the helm of the network for eight years, is being replaced by a member of the Qatar royal family Shaikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani.

20 September 2011

Tunisia: Bloggers Join Election Race

Tunisians will head to the polls to elect a national constituent assembly which will be in charge of writing their country's new constitution on October 23. Afef Abrougui reports on the seven bloggers joining the race.

18 September 2011

Yemen: A Massacre Streamed Live Online

A massacre is being witnessed live, tweet by tweet, in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa. Yemeni Security forces opened fire on protesters, killing at least 22 and injuring hundreds more so far. The horror is being streamed on a live feed, watched by hundreds of shocked viewers around the world.

18 September 2011

Yemen to the Rest of the World: Silence Kills!

Yemenis have been protesting for democracy and dignity since February 11. Their struggle is being faced with excessive violence by the regime and a deafening silence from the world. Noon Arabia tells us what is happening in Yemen through the eyes and words of ordinary Yemenis in this post.

18 September 2011

Iran: Animal cruelty enraged bloggers

A film showing two “hunters” killing a brown bear and torturing her two cubs in front of a camera, enraged several bloggers. Joosh writes Iranian people have lived for last...

16 September 2011

About our West Asia & North Africa coverage

Walid El Houri
Walid El Houri is the West Asia and North Africa Editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.