Stories about Middle East & North Africa from February, 2012
Iran: A pro-animal blog was filtered
Sepehr Salimi writes another pro-animal and pro-environment blog got filtered in Iran.Dadkhahi Heyvanat az Ensanha (animals ask people for justice) used to write about pets.
Palestine: “Diwan Ghazza” and the Gaza Book Club
Yasmeen El Khoudary introduces an initiative by young bloggers in Gaza called Diwan Ghazza, and the Gaza Book Club.
Syria: Injured French Journalist Edith Bouvier Still Trapped in Besieged Homs
Le Figaro's Edith Bouvier and British photographer Paul Conroy, managed to survive the attack that killed two journalists in Homs, Syria. Conroy has since made it out but Bouvier remains in the country injured. Ahmed Medien takes a look at how word got out about the attack as well as netizens' reactions.
Syria: Homage to American Journalist Marie Colvin Killed in Homs
Marie Colvin and Rémi Olchik were killed last week, when the makeshift media centre they were at in Baba Amr, in Homs, Syria, was attacked by the Syrian regime. Netizens from around the world pay homage to their courage.
Africa: Vote for the Most Influential African Thinker Alive
Africa is a Country blog wants readers to vote for one influential African thinker from a list of 12 candidates. The list includes Chinua Achebe (Nigeria), Mahmood Mamdani (Uganda), Mamdouh Habashi, (Egypt), Kwame Anthony Appiah (Ghana/United States), J M Coetzee (South Africa/Australia) and Issa Shivji (Tanzania). Voting is open until 5 March, 2012.
Egypt: Mahliat, popular initiative to improve local councils
This short video highlights the role of local councils in the community. It is made by mahliat [Ar] or “local councils” – an Egyptian movement founded by Moustafa Shoman. You can also follow the movement on Twitter and Facebook.
Iran: A blogger and journalist was released
Marzieh Rasouli, an Iranian blogger and journalist who was arrested 6 weeks ago, got free on bail.Marzieh writes stories and narrations of her daily life in ‘3 Rouz Pish‘ [fa]. Earlier the Iranian Revolutionary Guards has accused [fa] her of serious charges including ‘espionage’. Reporters Without Borders says [fa] Iran...
Bahrain: #Hungry4BH Trends Worldwide
Bahraini netizens, backed by the international community, helped raise the voices of detained political activists on hunger strike, by making their plight a trending topic on Twitter. Mona Kareem reports on the efforts of activists online and on the ground in Bahrain.
Tunisia: McCain's Visit Stirs up Anti-US Feelings
Senator John McCain's visit to Tunisia on Thursday, February 23, left Tunisian Internet users angry over what they called Ennahda's 'double standards.' Hundreds of Facebook comments, dozens of tweets and many pictures filled social media platforms frequented by Tunisians after a controversial picture of Tunisian Prime Minister, Hamadi Jebali, hugging the Senator.
Yemen: Hadi President After 33 Years of Saleh
After 33 long years of Ali Abdullah Saleh's rule, Yemen finally inaugurated today a new President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi, for the transitional phase, following a whole year of protests. Hadi had assumed his position as president according to a GCC-brokered power deal which made him the sole consensus presidential candidate in the one man election, in which he won 99.8 per cent of the votes.
Iranian News Agency “Improves” Oscar Speech by Asghar Farhadi
Iranians are overjoyed with the news that Asghar Farhadi's film “A Separation” was awarded an Oscar for best foreign language film. Farhadi's acceptance speech attracted even more attention after Fars News, a semi-official news agency added their own words to the transcript.
Iran: Female blogger was released from prison
Parastou Dokouhaki, a female jailed blogger was released on bail on Sunday. She was accused of collaboration with foreign based media.
Tunisia: Police Use Tear Gas and Batons to Disperse Labor Union Protest
Police used tear gas and batons to disperse protesters showing support to the Tunisian General Union for Labour (known by its French acronym UGTT), in the capital Tunis, yesterday (February 25).
Lebanon: Questions to Expats
Lebanese blogger Liliane asked Lebanese expatriates some questions about their stories of how and why they left their country. Check the questions at her post and the answers in the comments.
Iran: Another blogger was arrested
Nama Jafari,blogger and journalist was arrested. He was editor of a cultural site. He also wrote a book called “a gathering in solitary confinement”.
Greece: Athens, 1st African Film Festival Week
The first African Film Festival will take place in Athens, Greece, from February 23 to 29, 2012, with the collaboration of various African countries’ embassies and consulates. Twenty one films from Angola, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, Nigeria, Egypt and Ethiopia will be screened. The event is hosted by the Greek Film...
Iran: Letter from Jailed Blogger Details “Blue Sky of Pain”
Dr. Mehdi Khazali, a jailed Iranian blogger and publisher, wrote a letter this month from prison describing a “blue sky of pain” of his first-hand experience with the injustice of jails in Iran, where prisoners face torture and arbitrary death sentences.
Egypt: Finding a job you enjoy?
Egyptian blogger Cinderella Nabil blogs [ar] about her refusal in accepting any job just for the money.
Saudi Arabia: Facebook Page Calls for Protest
A Facebook page [ar] has been created calling on Saudis to protest tomorrow (Thursday) and on Friday against financial and administrative corruption, the jailing of activists and the lack of justice, among other grievances. The page details are being circulated via Twitter by bloggers. Previous calls for protests in Saudi...
Tunisia: Court Quashes Verdict Ordering the Filtering of Pornography
Today, the Cassation Court of Tunis (highest court of appeal) threw out a verdict to censor pornography on the Internet. On May, 26, 2011, a court of first instance issued a ruling ordering the Tunisian Internet Agency (ATI), to filter X rated websites. At the time, the decision was criticised by by bloggers, and free speech advocates, who believed that such step could limit freedom of speech, and thus pave the way for the return of censorship. Today's decision received a more favourable response online.
Syria: Call to Free Human Rights Detainees
Syrian blogger Razan Ghazzawi appeals to supporters to exert pressure on the Syrian government to release her colleagues at the Office of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression in Damascus. Ghazzawi herself was among those detained when the centre was raided on February 16. She has since...
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