Stories about Middle East & North Africa from October, 2013
Meetup with Global Voices!
Throughout the months of November and December, we are organizing six global in-person 'meetups' led and facilitated by Global Voices members.
Egypt: Lawsuits Greet Bassem Youssef's Long-Awaited Al Bernameg
How ready is Egypt for Bassem Youssef's latest round of satire? Netizens react to the first episode of El Bernameg (The Programme), which was greeted with lawsuits.
Massive Saudi Police Presence on the Day for Women Driving
Traffic police stopped Saudi women from defying a ban on driving. This action spells out the Kingdom's official position on driving, long blamed on a traditional society.
Iranian Student Leader Majid Tavakoli Is Out on Bail
After 4 years in jail, an influential Iranian student leader was welcomed home by his family and supporters.
GV Face: Everything You Need to Know About #SudanRevolts
We talk with our Sudan author Usamah M, and Magdi ElGizouli, author of the influential blog Still Sudan, and ask them if this is the next Arab Spring.
Bahrain: More Tear Gas Than People
With a total population of 1.3 million, Bahrain plans to purchase 1.6m canisters of tear gas. Here's how a group of activists plan to stop the shipment from South Korea.
After Lampedusa Shipwreck, Italy Considers Decriminalizing Illegal Immigration
The tragedy, in which 350 or so African migrants were killed, has renewed debate about illegal immigration in Italy, which is a destination for many African migrants.
Qatari Poet Sentenced for ‘Threatening to Overthrow the Regime’ Loses Final Appeal
Qatar's Court of Cassation upheld a 15-year prison sentence earlier this week for poet Muhammad Rashid al-Ajami. His crime? "Inciting the overthrow of the regime" with his poetry.
Codeshare Request from Serbia's New Airline Met with US, EU Pushback
The oldest and largest airline trade association in the United States called the request bizarre. Serbian media has so far chosen to ignore the story.
Saudi Women Gear Up To Defy Driving Ban
Saudi women are planning to defy a ban on driving on October 26. Many have already started driving, filming themselves doing so and sharing the footage online.
Video: Saudi Girls Blamed for Being Attacked Outside Mall
Girls are being blamed for being attacked by youth in a shopping mall in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, for not covering their faces - and actually going to a mall.
Saudi Prisoners’ Children Put Into Solitary Confinement
Relatives of prisoners, including children, who were denied from meeting their loved ones during Eid Al Adha, are now being detained in Saudi Arabia, after staging an "illegal" protest.
About our Middle East & North Africa coverage
Afef Abrougui is Advox Editor for the Middle East and North Africa. Email her story ideas related to freedom of expression online.
