Stories about Middle East & North Africa from October, 2014
Tensions High as Holy Site Reopens Following Targeted Assassination Attempt of Jewish Activist in Jerusalem
The targeted assassination attempt of Rabbi Yehuda Glick is being called a "dangerous escalation" in Israeli-Palestinian relations, leaving many concerned the region is on the brink of a third intifada.
Anti-Censorship Play Receives Surprise Approval From Lebanon's Censors
Locked in a two-year battle with Lebanon’s General Security bureau, playwright Lucien Bourjeily never imagined his verbatim “docuplay” about the censorship process would make it past the censors.
Human Rights Activist Iyad El-Baghdadi Speaks Out on His Deportation from UAE
Iyad El-Baghdadi, who played a key role in social media activism around the Arab uprisings, was deported from the UAE April. Until last week, little was known of his fate.
With Homes and Infrastructure Destroyed, a Tough Winter Lies Ahead for Gaza
The people of Gaza are doing what they can to prepare for the winter in the wake of war, which left an estimated 100,000 homeless.
GV Face: Asylum Seekers Are Fleeing Conflict to Face Brutal Politics in Europe and Australia
According to the UNHCR, 612,700 applied for asylum in North America, Europe, East Asia and the Pacific last year – the highest since 2001.
5 Muslim Countries Where Gays Are Not Prosecuted by the Law
The LGBT Muslims blog identified 5 Muslim nations where the legal system does not outlaw homosexuality. The 5 countries are : Mali, Jordan, Indonesia, Turkey and Albania. While the law in these countries does not criminalize gay lifestyles, the LGBT Muslims blog points out that LGBT communities still suffer from...
Poignant YouTube Videos Give Voice to Ordinary Iranians
What are Iranians biggest fears? A filmmaker asked people in the streets of Tehran to find out.
Photo Exhibition Highlights Racism Against Lebanese of African and Asian Heritage
Lebanon has about 250,000 migrant domestic workers, primarily women from the Philippines, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Madagascar and several West African nations.
Tunisians Head to Polls to Elect a New Parliament
Tunisians are heading to polls today to elect a new parliament almost four years after they toppled the regime of dictator Zine el Abidine Ben Ali.
GV Face: To Vote or Not to Vote? Voices from Tunisia as the 2014 Election Begins
More than 9,000 candidates from over a 100 parties are contesting in this election.
3 Online Initiatives to Boost Voters’ Involvement in Tunisia's 2014 Elections
Tunisians go to the polls on Sunday to elect their parliament members. Online, they can scrutinise their choices and even check which politician is being truthful.
Iran's Conservative Media See a Reformist Plot in Coverage of Acid Attacks Against Women
Kayhan has accused reformist newspapers of publishing news related to the attacks in order to destroy the image of the "believers" and "supporters" of the Islamic regime.
GV Face: In Conversation with the Activist Bahrain Doesn't Want Us Talking To
Bahrain is in the third year of its crackdown on activists. International media reports the protests as a Shia-led revolution against a Sunni regime, but activists say this is simplistic.
#Fails of the Tunisian Electoral Campaign in One Hilarious Blog
Who would not laugh at "the miserables, a hope for generations" or at a party seeking to "circumcise the security and judicial institutions and the administration"?
When Journalism Isn't Quite Enough
In writing about subjects that demand a passionate response, classic journalistic style can be a very blunt tool.
Join Us for a #GVMeetup in Tunis on November 1
Join us for a Global Voices Meetup in Tunis on November 1, 2014 from 9am to 1pm at 404 Lab.
Will the Right to Be Forgotten Inspire Repressive Regimes to Expand Internet Censorship?
“These governments will take advantage from this directive. Powerful people will be able to hide disgraceful actions for their own e-reputation," says Tunisian Internet advocate Dhouha Ben Youssef.
Remembering Mahsa Shekarloo, Iran's Internet Pioneer and Women’s Rights Activist
Mahsa Shekarloo, Iranian women’s rights activist and founder of the online feminist journal Bad Jens, died Friday September 5, 2014, surrounded by family. We celebrate her life in this post.
GV Face: Alaa Abd El Fattah and Maryam Al Khawajah on Hunger Strikes, Jail-time, and Activism in Egypt and Bahrain
Hundreds of political prisoners are currently on hunger strike in Egypt and Bahrain.
Bahrain Joins US Air Strikes, but Still Tortures Americans and Silences ISIS Critics
Bahrain, along with four other Arab countries, has joined the coalition against the militant group ISIS, as it silences its own critics.
Lebanon’s Palestinian Refugees Step into the Limelight With ‘Humans of Al Rashidiya’
A New Humans of New York-type project hopes to dispel stereotypes plaguing Lebanon’s Palestinian society. Many think their camps are security time bombs, while others haven’t even heard of them.
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.
