Stories about Middle East & North Africa from June, 2012
Egypt: Assault on Women in Tahrir Square
Journalist Natasha Smith narrates her ordeal of suffering mass sexual assault while heading to Tahrir Square to join the celebrations in a post titled “Please God. Please make it stop,” triggering more than 1000 comments.
Yemen: Electricity Woes in Yemen
Electricity, food and water are basic human rights and have been the main demands of the majority of Yemenis long before the revolution started and still continue to be so. Nothing seems to have changed with the overthrow of former president Ali Abdullah Saleh and living conditions only seem to get worse under the new National Consensus Government.
Saudi Arabia: Will Arwa Baghdadi Have Her Baby in Prison?
Pregnant Saudi prisoner Arwa Baghdadi is about to give birth behind bars. Arwa's brother was killed in violent clashes with Saudi security forces in 2011. Following his death, Arwa was arrested. During her detainment, she has been on hunger strike and has accused Saudi guards of sexually harassing her.
Saudi Arabia: Tweeps to Remember Detained Protester
Following the overthrow of Tunisian and Egyptian presidents, an anonymous call for a "Day of Rage" in Saudi Arabia on March 11, 2011, was spread. In response, the government deployed heavy police forces in all major cities to ensure that any protest remains virtual. One man, Khaled Al-Johani, turned out to protest and was arrested on that same day. Netizens rally to draw attention to his plight.
Arab World: People With Disabilities Raise Their Voices!
An online campaign was launched to shed light on the struggle of people with disabilities and their neglected rights. Campaign founder Abdallah AlShalaqi, an activist from Saudi Arabia said it aims at raising community’s awareness of the rights of people with disabilities; breaking media silence about it; and giving a message to government officials to take action towards this issue.
Jordan: Women's Basic Rights for Dignity and Social Cohesion
Over 200 people created a human chain in the streets of Amman on the afternoon of Monday June 25th, holding signs demonstrating a stand against crimes in the name of honor, harassment, nationality discrimination against children of Jordanian women, and rapists allowed to marry their victims to avoid prosecution.
Africa: Celebrating Humanity through Photos and Videos
An article highlighting 21 pictures that will restore your humanity recently went viral. Unfortunately, Africans and Africa were absent from all of them. Yet, there is no shortage of great testimonies of human spirit from the African continent. Here are a few photos and videos that show, 'Africa's got Heart' too.
Morocco: Theater Group Adapts The Vagina Monologues
The association Théâtre Aquarium has begun the representation of the Moroccan adaptation of the play The Vagina Monologues called Le Spectacle Dialy [fr] in Rabat. Ali Amar opines that the Moroccan version of the play is a breath of fresh air in the current era of religious conservatism.
Egypt: Introducing the MorsiMeter
After 32 years of Hosni Mubarak, Egypt has a new president and a new application to monitor the performance of its newly elected president Mohamed Morsi and the progress in the achievement of the 64 main promises he made during his election campaign.
Egypt: The New President of Egypt is Mohamed Morsi
Mohamed Morsi was named the new president of Egypt. Netizens were on their toes awaiting the announcement of Egypt's next president.
UAE: Dress Code Campaign Urges Extra Inches of Clothing
Two female Emirati nationals have launched a Twitter campaign to urge expatriates and tourists to respect the cultural sensibilities of the Emirates regarding dress. Their campaign has pushed the Federal National Council to propose a law regarding dress code.
Lebanon: Protesting Shalala's Honorary Degree
Rami reported and posted a video of demonstrators who disrupted the Master’s graduation ceremony at the American University of Beirut to protest against awarding an honorary degree to Donna Shalala. The demonstrators protested Shalala's support for engagement with Israel.
Egypt: The Problem with Sharia
Just An Egyptian discusses his problem with Sharia – Islamic law – in this post.
Bahrain: After Twitter
Bahraini blogger Ahmed Habib tweets [ar]: “They have completed the stage where we have become birds who tweet on Twitter. They are now in the next stage and that is to find cages … for all of us!”
Yemen: Attacks on Southern Yemen Jeopardize National Dialogue
While a National Dialogue is under way to discuss many of Yemen's issues, central security forces attacked Mansoura's square, where separatist activists staged sit-in protests for over a year, destroying their tents and using live ammunition to disperse them, killing and injuring some.
Israel: Violent Protests Across Tel Aviv #J14
Thousands rushed to the streets of Tel Aviv Saturday evening, June 23rd, after violent clashes erupted between protesters and cops the previous day. On Friday, June 22nd, social justice (#J14) protesters attempted to re-occupy Tel Aviv's Rothshield boulevard with tents and were met with heavy violence from police.
Egypt: The Beer and the State
Egyptian blogger Amr Gharbeia tweets:”#Egypt invented beer & the state. Either the state came first so we made beer to forget, or beer was so good we didn't see the state coming.”
Sudan: Netizens Verify Internet Blackout Rumours
Netizens are watching Sudan closely, following rumours that the Sudanese authorities intend to cut off the Internet - a chilling reminder of Egypt's attempt to silence activists and contain the January 25 revolution when it pulled the plug off the www on January 27.
Bahrain: Opposition Leader Injured in Protest
Bahrain riot police fired at a protest, injuring opposition Al Wefaq Society head Shaikh Ali Salman. Online, this video of the attack is being circulated. The society's Twitter account tweeted [ar] saying the politician was injured, along with another young man, who was hit by a sound grenade fired at...
Egypt: The Old Man of Tahrir
Egyptian blogger Zeinobia shares a snippet on the old man of Tahrir. Check out his story here. “I know that in time of Shafik as a president , that old man will be arrested and sent to some mental asylum for believing in mythical thing as #Jan25,” she writes.
Morocco: Kissing the King's Hands
Moroccan Jamal Elabiad shares his views on the custom of kissing the King's hands.
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.
