· May, 2007

Stories about Bahrain from May, 2007

Bahrain: Police Excessive Use of Force

  29 May 2007

“I’m not sure what the Ministry of the Interior wants to achieve by its continuous excessive use of force. If this is their idea of instilling love for the country,...

Bahrain: The ‘two seas’ are now a concrete jungle

  28 May 2007

From 'blog wars' to work ethics, the Bahraini blogosphere is bubbling with new ideas and excitement. Ayesha Saldanha sheds more light on discussions taking place this week about Bahrain's jungle of concrete, compensation for the victims of the capsized Al Dana dhow, the historic Bab Al Bahrain (Bahrain Gateway) and much more.

Bahrain: Minimum Wage

  28 May 2007

“Increasing the minimum salary will only be a temporary solution against families and individuals that are being affected by inflation, but this will only be done by dropping employment opportunities...

Bahrain: Second Podcast

  25 May 2007

Bahraini blogger emoodz posted his second podcast in Arabic and English, lamenting the ‘tasteless’ music youth listen to, the political situation in Bahrain and his opinion of some of the...

Arabeyes: Breast-Feeding Dilemma

  24 May 2007

Imagine having to breast feed your colleague at work - five times - to ensure that your relationship remains professional! This is the fatwa (religious edict) that had Arab and Muslim bloggers buzzing with excitement and anger this week. Read the rest of the article to see how some of the region's bloggers reacted to the ruling, which has since been withdrawn.

Bahrain: Censoring Flesh

  22 May 2007

Bahraini blogger emoodz jumped the gun and accused a daily paper of censoring ‘flesh’. He later amended his error when another blogger Cradle of Humanity pointed out that American anti-war...

Arabeyes: The Middle East in Pictures

  21 May 2007

Today's Middle East in Pictures tour takes us to Dubai's lovely beaches, Doha at night, a picture of a flower in Bahrain, the blooming flower gardens of Syria this spring and finally on a Viagra buying spree in the bazaars of Fez, in Morocco.

Bahrain: Politicians Attacked by Riot Police

  20 May 2007

“Riot police attacked a seminar this evening in support of Hassan Mushaima and Abdulhadi Alkhawaja. They used tear gas and rubber bullets. According to some online reports, Waad’s Ibrahim Sharif...

Bahrain: When Only Illegal Prawns Will Do

  19 May 2007

From turning a blind eye to racial hatred being spewed on the internet to hoarding prawns caught in the closed season for a religious festival four months away, Bahraini bloggers were busy typing away this week, reports Ayesha Saldanha.

Egypt: Breast-feeding Adults

  18 May 2007

Palestinian blogger Amal A is in stitches over the latest Egyptian Islamic university Al Azhar fatwa, which stipulates that a woman can nurse or breast-feed a grown up man, if...

Bahrain: Weekly Podcast

  18 May 2007

Bahraini blogger emoodz has posted his first podcast in English and Arabic and hopes to make podcasting a weekly habit. Mohammed Al Maskati says he thinks that podcasting could be...

Bahrain: Inciting Hatred

  17 May 2007

“Inciting hatred” is becoming a fashionable charge in Bahrain, explains blogger Mahmood Al Yousif. “Soon, Bahrain’s streets, villages and towns will once again live several days of a perfumed atmosphere....

Bahrain: Over Criticism

  16 May 2007

Bahraini blogger Mahmood Al Yousif reports that the Ministry of Agriculture and Municipalities has threatened to drag to court anyone who questions land sales and ownership in Bahrain. “In a...

Bahrain: Coral Reef for Sale

  14 May 2007

The Fasht Al Jarem coral reef is on sale in Bahrain for the highest bidder. Read the reactions of bloggers Mahmood Al Yousif, Mohammed Al Maskati and Haythoo (Ar). “Anyway,...

Bahrain: The Never-Do-It-Yourself Culture

  11 May 2007

From dirty politics and squabbles between 'politicians' over peanuts, to corruption at the Traffic directorate, the Bahraini blogosphere is buzzing with commentary this week. Ayesha Saldanha walks us through some of the outstanding posts, which include a suicide pledge and a rant about lazy inconsiderate men.

Bahrain: Suicide Pledge

  11 May 2007

Bahraini blogger Mahmood Al Yousif bursts out laughing after reading that a girl who attempted to commit suicide was taken to the police station and made to sign a pledge...