Stories about Middle East & North Africa from June, 2009
Israel/Palestine: Human Rights Activist Reports on Mission
Reporting from Israel, human rights activist Rae Abileah reflects on her recent Gaza solidarity mission. “It felt really powerful to be taking a stand against occupation in this very tangible way.” She adds, “While I know that we enjoy the privileges of these fun-filled actions, there is an ever-present awareness...
Palestine: Website Honors Memory of Fallen Daughters
Among the casualties of the Gaza war with Israel this winter were four young women of the Abuelaish family. Daughters For Life is Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish's tribute to their memory. Jewschool calls it: “A powerful endorsement of non-violence in the face of Palestinian extremism and Israeli belligerence.”
Iraq: Remembering Michael Jackson
There was some comment in the Iraqi blogs on Michael Jackson. But first… If you read no other blog this week read this one: A little late in the posting but essential reading. Sunshine studies for her exams while braving constant explosions, shooting and poor electricity. She writes: I wish...
Palestine: Traditional Cooking In The Ground
Sameh Abo Wadih describes the traditional Palestinian style of cooking in an oven dug into the ground, called a zarb [Ar].
Palestine: “Free Gaza” Boats Waiting In Cyprus
The Free Gaza Movement have produced a video showing their attempts to leave Cyprus and sail to Gaza with medical and reconstruction supplies.
Iranian officials ‘crowd-source’ protester identities
Iranian protesters appearing in widely disseminated online photos from the ongoing post-election demonstrations in Iran, are now being targeted on website of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. It shows images of 20 people with red circles drawn around their faces claiming they have been involved in creating "chaos" in Tehran.
Bahrain: Remembering Michael
Michael Jackson was a resident of Bahrain for a short time – and Mahmood remembers some of the things he got up to: “What will I remember of him? Well, his touring the Seef Mall and being caught in a burka – of all things – shopping in Marina Mall,...
Iran: Bloggers on the Iranian crisis
Arash and several bloggers have published a statement by a group of Iranian bloggers about the Presidential elections and the subsequent events.
MJ Death Reaction in Kuwait
After the passing of Michael Jackson there has been a mixture of reactions from the Kuwaiti blogosphere: for some it was memories from their childhood, for others its discussing their own feelings about the artist and their reactions to other people's opinions. Abdullatif AlOmar translates Kuwaiti sentiment in this post.
Iran: “Protest Movement” Tribute Michael Jackson
Here is a film in You Tube where we can watch ‘Iranian protest movement’ tribute Michael Jackson with “They don't really care about” song and a collection of photos from Iran. [warning: some photos are very graphic]
Japan: News in Japanese for Iran Election Protests
“You can't get really the details of the Iran election protests from the Japanese newspapers and TV stations, but the situation is updated by the minute on Twitter.” – Hiroto Kobayashi set up iranelection, a Digg-style news aggregator specifically for this topic, where users are submitting links to content in...
Iran: Remembering Omid Reza Mir Sayafi and March 18th
A few months after the death of Blogger Omid Reza Mir Sayafi, who died in an Iranian prison after allegedly insulting religious leaders, the March18.org site has been set up to remember him and to hopefully keep this story from repeating itself. Following, the first video created for the March18 movement.
Iran:Joan Baez sings for the Iranian people
Arefadib tweeted that Joan Baez sings ‘We shall Overcome’ (with a line in Perisan) for the Iranian people.
Iran: “Police” breaking car windows
Free Lantern has published several photos showing the police in Iran “breaking car windows”.
Iran:”Iranian Right wing media on Neda”
NikAhang writes [fa] “stupidity is the highest ascension”when Right wing media (Sarmaye Newspaper) claim that a BBC reporter has paid someone to shoot Neda so that they could record the incident.
Iran:No word on arrested bloggers
Saminejad writes [fa] about two bloggers, Ali Kalayi and Shiva Nazar Ahari who were arrested and there has been no word regarding their whereabouts. Ali Kalayi is reported to be in ward 209 of Evin prison and is being held in a cell with four other people.
Bangladesh: In Solidarity For Freedom In Iran
Naeem Mohaiemen at Unheard Voices posts pictures of demonstrations in Bangladesh capital Dhaka asking for freedom of the caged democracy in Iran.
Iran: Green Baloons
IranRiggedElect tweeted that “tomorrow, Friday, at 1pm people all over Iran [and outside] will be airing green baloons and make the sky GREEN.”
Iran: Art for protest's sake
Bloggers and citizen artists online have been creating designs and cartoons to add a touch of art to the insistent Iranian protest movement that has risen in response the June 12 presidential election results.
Palestine: How To Spend The Summer In Gaza
Gazan blogger Lina has made a video detailing the activities she has planned for this summer – because as she reminds us, “The siege which is being imposed made it impossible to think of traveling.”
Palestine: The Journey Of An Audio Recorder
In Gaza, Rami Almeghari has recorded an audio diary of the hurdles he faced when trying to receive a new audio recorder from the United States.
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