· November, 2010

Stories about Middle East & North Africa from November, 2010

Lebanon: Le bonheur

  25 November 2010

In a blog dedicated to paintings and illustrations, Ella posts this painting about a happy moment of a girl and her cat.

Iran: We are all Computer Criminals

  23 November 2010

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.

Yemen: Host to Gulf Cup 2010

  21 November 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

  21 November 2010

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

  20 November 2010

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.

Iran:World’s youngest detained blogger on trial

  18 November 2010

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?

  18 November 2010

“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!

  18 November 2010

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

  17 November 2010

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

  17 November 2010

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

  15 November 2010

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.

Egypt: Vodafone Egypt Advertisement Stirs Controversy

  14 November 2010

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

  12 November 2010

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.

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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.