Stories about Middle East & North Africa from September, 2011
Kuwait: After Three Months in Prison, Court Releases Twitter User
Kuwaiti Twitter user Nasser Abul has been released from prison after serving three months for insulting the Bahraini and Saudi regimes. Netizens react after his release.
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.
Syria: Official Websites Under Anonymous Attack
Official websites in every major Syrian city have been hacked, as part of hacktivist group Anonymous' Operation Syria. On Twitter, netizens are exchanging screen grabs and views under the hashtag #OpSyria.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Israel: Beyond ‘us’ and ‘them,’ Lihi Yona is an Arab Jew
Israeli woman Lihi Yona, a Moroccan Jew descendent, reclaims her Arab roots and complicates local identity politics on a bus ride to Jordan to attend a Lebanese band performance. The Hebrew version is followed by an English one: I am an Arab Jew.
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.
Bulgaria: Meeting to Support Palestine's UN Bid
A silent meeting in support of Palestine's bid for a UN seat and independence took place in Sofia on Sep. 20, organized by the Bulgarian-Palestinian Association for Friendship and Development. There was coverage by Press TV and here are photos from the event on Facebook (Bulgaria to support independent Palestine...
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 “espionage” in Iran.
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.
Russia: Google Office Invites Iranian Ambassador to ‘Disperse Myths’ About ‘Contemporary Persia’
“Mr Ambassador [Reza Sajadi] had told us about contemporary Persia: about progress in science and technology in his country, developing tourism, situation of women in the Iranian society, had dispersed many myths around Iran and its traditions, and had invited us to visit Iran and enjoy ancient culture of the...
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.
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.
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.
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.
Lebanon: Sabra and Chatila Massacre Remembered 29 Years On
September 16, 2011, marked the 29th anniversary of the most grueling moment in the six-decade long Arab-Israeli conflict - the massacre at Sabra and Chatila. The blogosphere was swarming with tributes to the victims of the massacre.
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 32 years in such violence under the Islamic Republic that lost all their values.
About our Middle East & North Africa coverage
Mariam Abuadas is the editor for the Middle East & North Africa. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.
