Stories about Middle East & North Africa from April, 2007
Israeli-Egyptian Bloggers Meet
Yaba Yaba, an Israeli blog, updates us about a meeting between an Egyptian and an Israeli blogger here.
Egypt: Spotlight on Israel
Egyptian blogger Khaled Diab, who lives in Brussels, visits Israel and writes about his encounters here.
Israel: Picture Quiz
Israeli blogger themiddle wants you to play the guessing game this week and let us know where this picture was taken.
Iraq: George Orwell's 1984
Iraqi blogger Majed Jarrar argues that our present has a lot in common with George Orwell's 1984.
Egypt: Freedom of Speech Campaign
Egyptian blogger Nora Younis wonders why free speech ends people in prison in her country as she spearheads a campaign for freedom of speech. “Egyptian pro-democracy activists and bloggers are facing various forms of prosecution everyday,” she explains.
Egypt: New Bahai Blog
Egyptian blogger Issandr El Amrani links to a new blog about Egyptian Bahais. “Seeking Justice focuses on Egypt’s official discrimination against Bahais, an issue we’ve talked about before. It has links to other Egyptian Bahai sites and blogs,” he notes.
Turkey is Typing: The Killings in Malatya
"A handful of monsters walked into a Bible publisher in the Turkish city of Malatya the other day," writes one blogger, describing one of the tragedies which stunned Turkey this week. The brutal killings of three Christian missionaries at a Bible publishing house in Malatya has bloggers across the nation mourning the display of violent intolerance and contrasting the established sanctity of nationhood with the dire need for multi-religious acceptance.
Lebanon: Two Kidnapped Found Dead
The Lebanese police found the bodies of the missing youths yesterday evening. Security measures were stepped up in Beirut. The victims were buried today. Political leaders called for restraint and letting the investigations to take its course. Riemer Brouwer and Jounoune have updates on this hideous crime.
“What Kind of Lebanon Do We Want?”
As Lebanon's political leaders offer up their usual litany of what he says is useless rhetoric, French-Lebanese blogger Frencheagle asks his readers to remember one question: “What kind of Lebanon do we want?” (Fr). The problem of coexistence, he says, is one that an international tribunal on the civil war...
Egypt: Sinai Bedouins Seek Refuge in Israel
Writing at Kabobfest, blogger Hanaan reports the plight of a Sinai bedouin, who is seeking entry into Israel. “You know police brutality has reached a new low in Egypt when hundreds of the country's poorest would rather seek refuge in Israel than face Mubarak's hired guns. The government should be...
Morocco: Fez for Weddings
Moroccan blogger Sameer tells us why the ancient city of Fez is an ideal wedding spot.
Kuwait: The Truth About Franchising
Business-minded Kuwaiti blogger io81 briefs us about the difficulty of owning franchises of famous brands. “Most of you out there had thought of opening up a store that you have encountered some where around the world… The truth is its not that simple, i had my share with different franchises...
Kuwait: Healthcare Update
“(M)isinformed decision-makers and erroneous popular belief have shifted resources away from many of the basic foundations of a sound health care system (in Kuwait),” writes blogger Nadeem, as he continues to discuss healthcare in Kuwait.
Iraq: Al Maliki Snubbed by Saudi Arabia
Iraqi blogger Ladybird debates why Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki was denied a visit to Saudi Arabia. While some claim it was for ‘technical’ reasons others say that he was snubbed because of his support for the Shia.
Iraq: Satirical Stats
I have found a great Arabic Wiki called Beidipedia (lit. Eggepedia) about the Middle East in general but is predominantly focused upon Iraq, its approach is to present satirical items in the traditional neutral news/encyclopedia approach a la The Onion, writes Iraqi blogger Konfused Kid, who is based in Jordan.
Bahrain: Mahmood's Den Fourth Anniversary
The Godfather of Bahraini bloggers Mahmood Al Yousif marks his blog's fourth anniversary with a gift to his readers.
Kurdistance: A Week Like Any Other
The news coming out of the Kurdish blogs this week is as varied as the landscape of Kurdistan itself. From predictions on Syrian Kurd alliances with Israel, to censorship in Turkey; from explorations of Northern Iraq, to essays on intolerance, the Kurdish bloggers cover it all. But for this week, I think we will begin with why, to Kurds, April is considered as the "Bride of the Year".
The French Presidential Election: A View From Outside the Metropole
This weekend, more than 60 million French cast their ballots in the first round of the French presidential election, narrowing the list of candidates to two: conservative UMP candidate Nicolas Sarkozy and Socialist Party candidate Segolene Royal. Both face a run-off vote on May 6th. In the five years since...
Qatar: Seven Wonders
Hamlet, who is based in Qatar, blogs about the seven wonders of his host country. Among the wonders are: ‘Wonder No. 2, “It is all about connections (wasta)” Got all the right credentials, relevant experience, proper education…etc, but you don’t know the right people, then you are in the wrong...
Iraq: More on Hamas Iraq
Abu Aardvark, aka Marc Lynch, links to an article by “Mohamed Abu Roman, one of the smartest Jordanian writers on Islamist issues, (who) turns his attention today to Hamas Iraq. Like me, Abu Roman places the appearance of Hamas Iraq directly within the context of the growing intellectual and political...
Lebanon: Youth Kidnapped
Lebanese blogger Abu Kais updates us on the situation with two kidnapped Lebanese youth here. “The chances of finding Ziad Qabalan (25) and Ziad Ghandour (12) alive seem to be slim. Rumours claim their bodies were already found, and that the authorities are delaying the announcement. Officials spent Wednesday denying...
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