· November, 2008

Stories about Middle East & North Africa from November, 2008

Is Secularism the answer to Egypt's Sectarianism?

  27 November 2008

Egypt has always been known as an Islamic country where Muslims, Christians, and Jews peacefully co-existed. Today this is no longer the case. Is secularism the solution? Following is an outline of the discussion taking place on Egyptian blogs today.

Saudi Arabia: Inspirational encounters

  27 November 2008

Sabria Jawhar tells us about her experience meeting the Saudi Ambassador's wife, and a group of Saudi women studying in the UK on scholarships: ‘I have come to learn that Saudi women are real fighters and they deserve society’s care, respect and trust.’

Saudi Arabia: Lessons in morality

  27 November 2008

According to Saudiwoman's Weblog: ‘This month the Education Ministry instructed all religion teachers to spend five minutes of every class they teach to lecture students on how to dress properly and avoid western clothes.’

Middle East: Mumbai Terror Attack “Crazy and Inhumane”

  27 November 2008

Bloggers in the Middle East woke up this morning to news of terror and mayhem in Mumbai, India, and are still coming to terms with the size of the calamity. One blogger describes the attack as "crazy and inhumane" while another the other wishes for God would "obliterate the enemies of peace."

Israel: Sending Help and Sympathy to Mumbai

  27 November 2008

Western countries awoke today to news of a widespread attack on the city of Mumbai, India that occurred Wednesday night and continued through Thursday, killing 101 people and wounding hundreds more. Many Israeli bloggers are following the events in Mumbai with an all too familiar apprehension and are posting regular updates of the hostage situation, writes Maya Norton from Israel.

Congratulations Pour in on Queen Rania's Youtube Award

  26 November 2008

Bloggers from across the Middle East and North Africa are tipping their hats to Jordan's Queen Rania, and her visionary initiative on YouTube, after she was awarded YouTube's first-ever Visionary Award for launching an interactive online channel to combat stereotypes and misconceptions associated with Arabs and Muslims.

Iran: Art gallery was shutdown

  26 November 2008

Several Iranian news sites and blogs such as Haftan reported[fa]that Iranian authorities, a couple of days ago, accused an art gallery to expose “immoral” photos and closed it. The photos were the creation of Peyman Hooshmanzadeh. Here are some of these photos.

Egypt: Getting High on Obama

  26 November 2008

Barack Obama's popularity in Egypt reaches a new high - with the introduction of a narcotic to the market bearing the President-elect's name. According to bloggers, dealers in the Mediterranean town of Marsa Matrouh are selling Obama branded hashish.

Egypt: 89% of Youth Support Internet Censorship Law

  26 November 2008

Eighty-nine per cent of Egyptian young men and women surveyed recently stated that they are in favour of an Internet censorship law. Bloggers Times shares the most recent statistics on Egyptian internet users in this post, translated by Marwa Rakha from Arabic.

Bahrain: A Day at the Dog Walk

  25 November 2008

Umm Naief in Bahrain takes a dog, Henry, to the Bahrain Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals annual Dog Walk and tells us all about her adventure here.

Syria: What About the Palestinian Human Rights?

  25 November 2008

Majd Syria (Ar) writes: “Western countries show off their support for human rights.. at the time they turn a blind eye to the most basic rights of Palestinians – their right to live in an independent free state, with sovereignty, an army, a currency, language, identity and capital.

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Mariam A.
Mariam A. is the editor for the Middle East & North Africa. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.