· February, 2011

Stories about Jordan from February, 2011

Jordan: Demands for Response to Libya Answered

Jordanians joined the rest of the world in condemning the heinous acts of Colonel Muammar Al Gaddafi against Libyans. On Twitter, their anger mounted as the government continued to remain silent. Their solidarity and calls for a reaction finally paid off, when Jordan issued a statement strongly condemning Libya's attacks on civilians.

23 February 2011

Jordan: Societal Criticism through Humor

Participants of the hashtag #Jordanianlies are out to prove the stereotype wrong. #Jordanianlies features statements Jordanians hear that are often untrue. Thus, the hashtag uses humor to point out faults in Jordanian society. While the majority of #Jordanianlies posts center on gender relations, work situations, and everyday life, a few have ventured into political criticism.

18 February 2011

Jordan: Tweets for Reform

For the last several weeks, Jordanians have discussed their own government and society in Twitter under the hashtag #ReformJo. The hashtag has provided an opportunity not just to criticize Jordan's government, but to provide suggestions to improve Jordan, from anti-smoking measures to educational reform to amending Jordan's constitution.

18 February 2011

Jordan: “Egypt's Revolution. My Revolution.”

Humeid of 360east.com traces his personal political journey from Jordan's 1989 political liberalization project, to his blogging career, to the Egyptian and Tunisian revolutions. “If I allowed, apathy or hopelessness...

13 February 2011

Jordan: Celebrating Mubarak's Departure

In the moments following the announcement of Hosni Mubarak's stepdown, Jordanian tweeters reacted in jubilation. Moey tweeted: WE ARE PROUD OF YOU #EGYPT – SERIOUSLY, WTF #MUBARAK – I suggest...

11 February 2011

Jordan: Announcement of New Cabinet

A week after being appointed Jordan's next prime minister, Maarouf Bakhit announced his cabinet. Former PM Samir Rifai resigned after protests demanded he step down, citing grievances of increasing prices and the slow pace of political reforms under Rifai. The new cabinet was drawn primarily from former cabinet members, but includes leftist politicians and unionists as well as one former Muslim Brotherhood member. Netizens react to the new appointments.

10 February 2011

Jordan: Proud to be an Arab

Jordanian blogger, Roba Al-Assi, wrote a list with photos of 10 things that happened during the Egyptian and Tunisian uprisings that made her proud to be an Arab.

7 February 2011

Jordan: Islamists Refuse Offer to Join Government

Following meetings with Jordan's King Abdulla and an invitation to Islamists to join the cabinet of newly appointed Prime Minister Maarouf Bakhit, which the Islamists turned down, Jordanian tweeters are left scratching their heads. The discussions spilled over to Twitter, where the debate continues.

6 February 2011

Egypt: The View from Jordan

Sentiments are generally high in the Jordanian street in support of the uprising in Egypt. People are tuned into the news and events, there is Egypt related chatter at various socio-economic, cultural and political levels, and some are taking to the streets to voice this support. Nadeen Toukan takes us to the solidarity protests.

4 February 2011

Jordan: Demonstrations for Egypt, against PM

Two separate demonstrations, held in Amman, Jordan, on Friday, February 4th, ended peacefully. This week saw King Abdullah II dismissing Prime Minister Samir Rifai, in favor of former Prime Minister Maarouf Bakhit. Still Jordanians continued to take to the streets, for reform and in solidarity with Egypt. And in a de ja vu scene, a handful of pro-government protesters clashed with those calling for change.

4 February 2011

Arab World: A Revolution Time-Table

An Arab revolution time-table is being circulated online, with potential revolution dates pencilled in for Sudan, Syria, Algeria, Libya and Morocco. The dates are January 30 (Sudanese students are already marching the streets), February 5, February 12 and March 3, respectively. Here's some of the chatter from Twitter.

1 February 2011