Stories about Middle East & North Africa from November, 2010
Lebanon: Le bonheur
In a blog dedicated to paintings and illustrations, Ella posts this painting about a happy moment of a girl and her cat.
Lebanon: CBC Report on Hariri Assassination Sparks Debate
An in-depth CBC report on the high-profile assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Al Hariri has sparked intense discussion in the Lebanese blogosphere.
Iran: We are all Computer Criminals
Iran's government has a law at its disposal that make it possible to label almost any Internet user a criminal. The “Law of Computer Crimes” was approved by Iran's parliament in January 2009. It has been instrumental in the prosecution and repression of several bloggers, but its articles have never received much public attention or scrutiny.
Qatar: Excitement, Apprehension Build as World Cup Decision Nears
As the buzz builds over who will be awarded the 2022 World Cup bid in two weeks, so does the Internet chatter. Here is a roundup of online reactions in Qatar and elsewhere to the most recent developments in the competition to host FIFA's biggest sporting event.
Kuwait: Football Talent Abdulla Al Moussawi's Dreams Cut Short
From Kuwait, Mark shares the story of Abdullah Al Moussawi, a talented nine-year-old football player whose chances at stardom were cut short. Find out why.
Yemen: The Saudi Mecca Metro makes Hajj Green
Yemeni blogger Omar Barsawad writes about the Mecca Metro at Out of Hadhramout. The blogger argues that the new railway built for pilgrims aims at making the Hajj (pilgrimage) experience green.
Dubai: Stats on drink-driving offenders
Dubai Metblogs shares statistics on drink-driving offenders in Dubai.
Kuwait: Mutton Korma Recipe
Kulsum, an Indian living in Kuwait, shares a recipe for mutton korma here.
Yemen: Host to Gulf Cup 2010
Gulf Cup 2010 kicks off in Aden, Yemen, on November 22. Yemeni blogger Omar Barsawad reflects on the significance of having Aden host this football championship which brings together teams from Iraq, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
Iran: No more filtering for Pro-Nazi site
Several blogs and Iranian news sites such as Aftab News reported [fa] that one pro Hitler and pro Nazi site in Persian is not any more filtered. Pro-Hitler site claims its activity is according to Islamic Republic's laws.
Iran: World's Youngest Detained Blogger on Trial
The Iranian government is not only world-class when it comes to persecuting bloggers, they have also set numerous records: from the first jailed blogger in history, to the first blogger to die in prison. Unfortunately, a new record can now be added to the list of Iran's repressive achievements: the youngest blogger to be detained and put on trial.
Morocco/Western Sahara: Gadaym Izik Riots Become a Volatile Political Crisis
There has been ongoing unrest in Western Sahara, the former Spanish colony that was annexed by Morocco after “The Green March Demonstration“ in November, 1975. Last week, the territory witnessed one of the worst violent events in years. Bloggers react to the development in this post.
Iran:World’s youngest detained blogger on trial
Reporters without Borders (RSF) reports The world’s youngest detained blogger, 18-year-old Navid Mohebbi, is currently being tried behind closed doors before a revolutionary court in the northern city of Amol. His lawyer is not being allowed to attend the trial, which began on 14 November.
Bangladesh: Discrimination In The Middle East?
“Would there be any lashing if they were white Europeans or Americans?” – so reacts Jyoti at Unheard Voice on the news that a Filipina maid and her Bangladeshi lover had received punishment of 100 lashes and deportation for having sex out of wedlock in Sharjah.
Egypt: Kareem Amer is Free!
After spending a total of 1,470 days in prison, Egyptian blogger Kareem Amer has finally been released. That period is 10 more days than the four year sentence he was slapped with for insulting Islam and President Mohammed Hosni Mubarak of Egypt on his blog.
Tunisia: Launch a Blog Campaign Kicks Off
After a seven-month lull in blogging activities, thanks to a crackdown by authorities which resulted in the blockage of more than 100 blogs, Tunisian bloggers are joining forces to encourage even more people to start sharing their thoughts and experiences online. Launch a Blog campaign has just been launched with the aim of attracting new bloggers to fight back censorship.
Iran: Online Rage against Lebanese Hezbollah Leader
Several Iranian bloggers have reacted to an online video where Lebanese Hezbollah Leader, Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah, makes the controversial claims that Iran does not have any Persian civilisation and that the Islamic Republic's founder was of Arab ancestry.
Arab World: Tweeting the Hajj Experience
Among the 1.8 million Muslims on pilgrimage, or Hajj, to the holy city of Mecca are a few stealing moments to send 140-character messages to the world. Here are snippets from the conversation on the Twittersphere.
Iran: Mehdi Khazali, jailed blogger was released
Several news sites reported that Mehdi Khazali, jailed blogger and physician was released on 200000 dollars bail.
Egypt: Vodafone Egypt Advertisement Stirs Controversy
A new advertisement for Vodafone Egypt featuring ninth century Muslim scientist Abbas Ibn Firnas as a mad man who would not surf the internet to see how his attempt to fly would fail has stirred controversy on the Egyptian blogosphere. Eman AbdElRahman and Tarek Amr bring us those reactions.
Iran: Female political prisoners under pressure
Jahnezan (means woman's world) and several reformist sites reported [fa] that most of female political prisoners moved to a small cell where they have no contact with outside world. According to [fa] some reports 17 of them are moved to a 28 square meter cell.