Stories about Middle East & North Africa from August, 2009
Iran: “Forced Blogging from Prison”
Mohammad Ali Abtahi, a leading reformist blogger and former vice president, started [fa] to update his blog in prison. He says that the interrogation continues but he has very friendly relation with interrogator and protesters in prison know that there was no significant fraud in Iran's presidential election.
Jordan: The Dream Train that was not to be
Getting to and from work daily takes its toll on employees, especially in countries without a 'proper' public transportation system. Jordanian Osama Al Romoh writes about the resurrected dream train link which was not to be.
Palestine: Qatayef, A Special Ramadan Dessert
During Ramadan one of the special dishes enjoyed throughout the Arab world is qatayef, small pancakes stuffed with various sweet fillings. One blogger in Gaza has watched them being made, and another Gazan blogger provides a recipe.
Maghreb: Ramadan Good Wishes and More
The Maghreb blogosphere has been blooming with an outpouring of congratulations, welcoming the holy Muslim month of Ramadan. And amongst the usual greetings and formal congratulations, controversial thoughts, often at odds with conventional views on Muslims, are being aired.
Global: Ramadan Mubarak
With the advent of Ramadan around the globe this weekend, Muslim and non-Muslim bloggers everywhere are wishing each other Ramadan mubarak (or "blessed Ramadan").
World: Reactions to the Release of the “Lockerbie bomber”
A huge debate is brewing in both the mainstream media and the blogosphere regarding the release of the only man ever convicted over the bombing of Pam Am flight 103, Libyan Abdelbeset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi. Katharine Ganly sums up reactions here.
Iran: Tohidloo, a reformist blogger was released
Somayeh Tohidloo, an Iranian female reformist blogger, walked free [fa] from jail today. She had been arrested 71 days ago.
Iran: Testimonies of torture and rape
The Iranian authorities have been accused by UN experts and the opposition of torturing protesters of the June 12 presidential election results. Iranian civil society activists have been using citizen media to highlight testimonies about the Iranian tragedy.
Morocco: Celebrating el-Khattabi's Memory
Badr al-Hamri, writing on Aghora [Ar], realizes his long cherished dream by creating a blog [Ar] dedicated to the memory of Moroccan anti-colonial figure, Muhammad Ibn ‘Abd al-Karim el-Khattabi. “My Ambition is to make it a reference for the thinking and life of ‘Abd al-Karim. I invite those interested and...
Iran: “Green Movement and Football”
Jomhoriyat writes [fa] that hundreds of young people carried green flags and wore green t-shirts in football stadiums in Isfahan and Shiraz. The green colour is the symbol of Iranian protest movement.
Palestine: Gaza's Culture Of Resistance
The first feature film produced by Hamas had its premiere in Gaza on August 1, part of an attempt by the movement to win support through cultural initiatives, building a "culture of resistance". In the same week, a play about filmmaking opened in Gaza. Bloggers have attended both, and give us their opinions.
Iran: March 18 Movement film in competition
March 18 Movement film is in competition in Bitfilm Festival. The March 18 Movement was born out of a tragedy. On this day in 2009, Omid Reza Mir Sayafi, Iranian blogger and journalist, died in Evin Prison in Tehran.
Moroccan single moms situation ‘highlighted’
Elisabeth Hague, a Washington University graduate and Rabat-based blogger links to what she called an “interesting New York Times article“. The article,she explains on her blog, focuses upon the Moudawana (the reformed Family Law), but I was heartened to see that it views the issue through the lens of single...
Bloggers Reflect On HIV/AIDS Awareness In Arab World
While some bloggers in the Arab world report encountering ignorance about HIV/AIDS, others are impressed at the progress being made in destigmatising the disease.
Iran: Televised Confessions Spur Video Cyber-Activism
Video confessions are serving as a form of cyber activist protest for those against the forced confessions and political drama in Iran.
Morocco: A Day with Single Moms
American researcher Jacqueline Powers, blogging on Vie au Maroc (Life in Morocco), reflects on the day she spent in the outskirts of Casablanca, volunteering with INSAF, a shelter association for single mothers.
Bahrain: To Cut A Long Story Short…
In Bahrain, White Girl, Arab World came across some old objects at a friend's house – and soon discovered the use of one particular knife.
Jordan: Respect and Honour Crimes
From Jordan, The Observer writes about respect – and honour crimes.
Morocco: Call for Volunteers
Moroccan blogger Mohammed Saeed Hjiouj [ar] calls upon Arab bloggers to join his blog and post articles there.
Lebanon: Missing Syrian Workers
“Two Syrian workers are missing in Lebanon. Neither the Lebanese government, nor the Syrian government care about the plight of the abused Syrian workers in Lebanon,” reports The Angry Arab News Service.
Egypt: Arab Women Techies
Arab women techies? Egyptian blogger Manal opens a window into this world in this post.
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