Stories about Iraq from April, 2008
Iraq: The Plight of the Faili Kurds
Alive in Baghdad sheds light on the Faili Kurds – one of the most oppressed groups of Kurds. Like other Kurds, they were abused during Saddam Hussein’s regime. Statistics from the United Nations show that more than 450,000 Faili Kurds were deported to Iran in the 1980s and nearly 10,000...
AIDS – A Taboo in the Arab World
AIDS, the deadly acquired immune deficiency syndrome, is a taboo word in the Arab world. But the scary word has managed to crop up in many blog posts this week - from Jordan, Iraq, Palestine, Bahrain and Yemen.
Iraq: No Graduations
Najma, from Mosul, Iraq, writes about how her cousin's graduation ceremony was called off because of threats on campus.
Why Iraqis are Forced Out of their Homes
Mama, from Iraq, writes a touching post about why Iraqis are forced to move out of their homes. Some leave to escape bad memories, while others leave under threat. Many leave the country altogether.
Iraq: The Story of the Doura Refinery
Alive in Baghdad updates us about the oil refining facilities in Doura district in this video. Built in 1953 and partially destroyed from mortar attacks in December 2007, the refinery is located in the dangerous Doura District of Baghdad, where the lives of workers is under constant threat.
Iraq: Battle between Gangs and State Continues
“The battle between criminal gangs and the state continues, yet the war is far from being over. Public statements keep coming from both sides and they don’t seem to promise a diplomatic resolution for the crisis,” reports Iraq the Model, on the latest situation in his country.
Iraq: 210 Israeli Companies at Work
Iraqi Ladybird reports from a seminar about how there are 210 Israeli companies working in Iraq.
Turkey: What if Iraq is Split?
Turkish blogger Metin asks “What's in a name?” following Greece's vetoing Macedonia's bid to enter Nato. He also asks: “What if, when the U.S. troops leave Iraq (but not its government), the country is split into three, including Kurdistan. And Turkey finds itself opposing the name Kurdistan, as it realizes...
Iraq: A defining moment?
War in Basra... curfews in Baghdad... airstrikes on city centres... then a ceasefire... what on earth happened? As a BBC report said, the Basra operation is an empty vessel - it can be filled with any interpretation you choose. And fill it I will, with interpretations of Iraqi bloggers. Some polarised, some contradictory, but a selection that can fill the gaps that exist in current reports.
Iraq: Women's Rights Slipping
Hayder Kamal, at Alive in Baghdad, interviews an activist for women’s rights who discusses her work improving women’s knowledge of their rights.
Arabeyes: April Fool's Day
Pranks were in the air across the Arab world this April Fool's Day. Ranging from an Israeli withdrawal from Palestine, to the sale of Mars to Dubai and the construction of a pipeline to supply the red planet with water from the Arabian Gulf, to the plight of a baby camel in Cairo, readers were left scratching their heads in disbelief.
Mideast Youth: Interview with Kurdish Student
Bahraini blogger Esra'a, at Mideast Youth, interviews a Kurdish student in this podcast which discusses the Kurdish situation and the hypocrisy of mainstream media towards their cause.
Qatar: Twittering Downing Street
From Qatar, Mohamed Nanabhay stumbles upon a Downing Street Twitter message board, posts a question and gets a response too.
Qatar: On the Road to Victory
Saddavi at Qatar Living congratulates the Qatari football team for its first three points on the road to South Africa 2010 (Fifa World Cup), after beating Asian champions Iraq 2-0.
Iraq: Debunking Muqtada Al Sadr
From Iraq, Layla Anwar comments on Muqtada Al Sadr's latest interview with Al Jazeera.