· June, 2013

Stories about West Asia & North Africa from June, 2013

Egyptians Want to Overthrow the Regime

Egyptians marked the first anniversary of Mohamed Morsi's presidency with huge rallies across Egypt on June 30, calling for him to leave office. Anti-Morsi campaign Tamarrod, whose name translates to rebel, says it has so far gathered more than 22 million signatures from citizens, which call for early presidential elections.

30 June 2013

Dozens of Azeri Activists Arrested in Iran

Thirty-six Azeri activists including one blogger, Kiaksar, were arrested on Thursday, 27 June in Urmia. Security forces released 300 of these activists after a few hours of interrogation.

28 June 2013

New Regulations for Skype and Viber in Bahrain

“Security considerations” are being cited as reasons behind new regulations which could put an end to the use of popular services such as Skype, WhatsApp, Viber and Tango in Bahrain. A government official says a study is being conducted to regulate Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications - popular services, whose use is costing telecommunication companies.

25 June 2013

Yemen, Beyond the Headlines

Yemen is a country rich in culture, heritage, and history, as well as extremely friendly and hospitable. But that doesn't make the news, and Yemen is often reduced to Al-Qaeda, poverty, and wars in Western media coverage. But through film, photography, blogging, and social media, some Yemenis are trying to change that.

25 June 2013

Saudi Human Rights Activist Sentenced To 8 Years in Prison

Abdulkareem al-Khadar, founding member of the Kingdom's defiant leading human rights organisation, the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA), was sentenced to eight years in prison for inciting public opinion and establishing an unlicensed human rights organization, among other charges.

24 June 2013

Palestinian Assaf Wins Arab Idol Singing Contest

Palestinian Mohammed Assaf won the title of this year's Arab Idol, the Arabic version of American Idol. Because there are contestants from different Arab countries, the citizens of each country consider the win a national trophy. Assaf's win sent thousands to the streets celebrating, chanting and dancing.

24 June 2013

Salafists Attack Shia Homes in Egypt, Killing Four

Four Egyptian adherents of the Shia faith were killed in Egypt today when the house they were meeting in was attacked by Salafists, following two weeks of instigation against the Shia. According to various reports, the house the Shia were meeting in, in Giza, Cairo, was attacked and burned. Al Badil News quotes a witness from the mortuary [ar] who says that one of those killed was slaughtered and the remaining three had injuries to their heads. The horrific incident unleashed anger online.

23 June 2013

Egyptians Plan Protests for #June30 to Topple Muslim Brotherhood Rule

Egyptians are back to the drawing board, planning protests for June 30, to “topple the regime.” The date, being circulated on social media under the hashtag #June30, marks the first anniversary of the rule of President Mohamed Morsi, a Muslim Brotherhood candidate, who was elected after massive protests started on January 25, 2011, had uprooted Hosni Mubarak.

19 June 2013

Iran Qualifies for 2014 World Cup

Iran won against South Korea and booked a place in next year's FIFA World Cup. Iranians took to the streets across their country to celebrate.

18 June 2013

Iran: Dear Mr. President, Fix the Internet!

A group of bloggers and cyber activists wrote a letter to new President-elect Hassan Rouhani, asking him to increase Internet speed. They also complain about filtering and remind Rouhani that he...

17 June 2013

Iran:Remember Jailed Opposition Leader

Several people who celebrated Hassan Rouhani's victory in presidential election in Shiraz chanted slogans to support Mir Hussein Mousavi, an opposition leader who has been under house arrest for several...

16 June 2013

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.