Stories about Middle East & North Africa from January, 2011
Maldives to Egypt: Can a Revolution be Censored?
When the Egyptian government decided to go for a total Internet shutdown of the country to curb the growing anti-government protests, people in the Maldives were reminded of 13 August, 2004, when the government of Maldives blocked Internet in the country following a massive pro-democracy demonstration.
USA: Voices of Support for Egyptian Protesters
While the official US response to the protests in Egypt is a desperate hope for stability, lesser televised American voices are supporting the protesters in the land of the pyramids.
Qatar: Qaradawi to Mubarak: “You are blind, deaf and dumb”
Banished Egyptian cleric Yusuf Al Qaradawi described Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak as “blind, deaf and dumb,” lending his influential backing to protesters calling for a change in the regime for the fifth day in a row.
Egypt: Government Thugs involved in Looting, Lawlessness
The world continues to watch the fast paced developments in Egypt, now on its fifth day of demonstrations against the 30-year rule of president Hosni Mubarak. Despite the Internet block imposed by the government, some Egyptians are back on Twitter today, telling the world what is happening around them in...
Netherlands: Dutch-Iranian woman executed in Iran
Dutch-Iranian Zahra Bahrami has been executed in Iran after having been found guilty of drug-related crimes and sentenced to death on 2 January. Zahra Bahrami was arrested on 27 December 2009 when she reportedly attended an anti-government demonstration.
Morocco: The King's Very Private Visit to France
According to a Moroccan opposition journalist interviewed by French news website Rue89 [fr] King Mohamed VI of Morocco arrived Thursday in France for a private visit, and is staying in the castle the royal family owns near Paris. A holiday abroad at this time of general unrest in North Africa...
Egypt in Photographs: From the Streets of Cairo
When not out on the streets of Cairo, human rights activist and Global Voices Advocacy contributor Ramy Raoof has been uploading photographs of demonstrations to share with the world. In this post, we share Raoof's images from Cairo.
Egypt: When Mubarak's Speech Fires Back
After keeping quiet as protests raged Egypt for four days in a row, a defiant president Hosni Mubarak addressed the nation early today, calling protesters "gangs" and "thugs." He also fired the cabinet and said that he would reinstate a new cabinet today. Netizens from around the world are not only disappointed, but outraged with his speech.
Lebanon: Protest in Support of Egypt
A solidarity protest in support of the demonstrators in Egypt is taking place next to the Egyptian Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon. Similar protests are being reported around the world, as Egyptians continue to rally against the 30-year rule of president Hosni Mubarak.
Egypt: Demonstrations Continue for Fifth Day
Widespread demonstrations continue to rock Egypt for the fifth day in a row, as netizens around the world continue to closely watch developments on the ground. Reports say the millions of demonstrators are taking to the streets to protest against president Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule.
Pakistan: Slogans Of Revolution
iFaqeer opines that the most exhilarating part of a street movement is often the slogans being chanted. This Pakistani blogger urges to the protesters in Egypt, Yemen and Tunisia: “I would like to request, beg, supplicate those on the ground, and watching from afar and who speak Arabic to please...
Egypt: Citizen Videos Manage to Bypass Blockage
Although the internet and mobile phone shutdown during the protests of the past few days have made it harder for people in Egypt to show the rest of the world what is happening at ground level during the protests, some citizen videos have made it through.
Egypt: Is the Army on the People's Side?
Following massive protests across Egypt today, the army was deployed to enforce a night time curfew. On Twitter, the news was received with surprise, with reports that the army was on the people's side. Following is a selection of tweets from across the region.
Iran: Egypt Uprising a Vivid Reminder of Iran's Green Movement
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011. For several Iranian bloggers, the current Egyptian protests and activist use of social media, is a vivid reminder of the 2009 post-election “Green Movement” in Iran. Egypt's government has apparently also followed in Iran's footsteps when it comes...
Egypt: Visualizing Topics Shared on Twitter
Twitter has played an instrumental role in keeping the world abreast of the latest developments in Egypt, where demonstrations against the 30-year rule of president Hosni Mubarak have entered their fourth day. The following widget shows Twitter content mentioning the hashtag #jan25 over the last three days, and are all related to terms mentioned in people's Twitter messages.
Egypt: Videos Are Worth a Million Words
The Egyptian government is bracing itself for a fourth consecutive day of demonstrations. Activists have been circulating pamphlets and sharing videos via the Internet. The government has reacted by shutting off the the whole network. A quick roundup of videos posted YouTube urging people to join Friday's planned protest.
Egypt: Information getting out despite information blackout
The Egyptian government's shutdown of the Internet and closures of cell phone networks has significantly curtailed information flows, but people have found creative ways to get information out.
Egypt: Tweeting the Protests Continues
The blackout on the Internet in Egypt was supposed to thwart efforts to let the world know what was happening on the ground, as massive demonstrations against president Hosni Mubarak enter their fourth day. This attempt has failed as the tweets covering the unfolding events in Egypt continued to dominate our Twitterfeed. Here is a round up of some of the tweets.
Egypt: “The People Will Bring the Regime Down!”
People around the world were glued to their television and computer screens today, as Egyptians took to the streets after the noon Friday prayers. The Day of Rage marks the fourth day in a row for Egyptians to demonstrate against president Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule. Despite an Internet blackout, news continued to flow through satellite channels, with reports being rebroadcast on social networks by netizens.
Internet Security Savvy Critical as Egypt Government Blocks Websites, Arrests Activists
As we've seen in Iran and Tunisia, social networking tools have given activists in authoritarian regimes a powerful voice, which can be heard well beyond their own country. But the use of social networking tools has also given their governments ways to identify and retaliate against them. This week we are watching the same dynamic play out in Egypt. This is why it is critical that all activists —in Egypt and elsewhere—take precautions to protect their anonymity and freedom of expression.
Egypt: Countdown for Day of Rage Continues
Netizens from around the world are holding their breath, as widespread demonstrations are scheduled to begin in Egypt in less than an hour. International support is overwhelming, as well as a clear defiance to back Egyptian protesters and make their voices heard despite the total information blackout.
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