Stories about Middle East & North Africa from June, 2011
Syria: “We Support Bashar and Want the World to Leave us Alone”
Do all Syrians hate Bashar Al Assad and his regime? An accusation that our coverage of the Syrian "revolution" at Global Voices Online has been one-sided, has sent us on a fascinating journey on the look out for supporters and their sentiments to developments in their country. Here are some of their reactions.
Egypt: A Decade of Street Activism Discussed at Tweet Nadwa
In what is set to become a weekly event, Egyptian Twitter users gathered once again for a second round of their twitter-simulating discussions known as Tweet Nadwa [ar] (forum) to discuss a decade of street activism leading up to the Egyptian revolution.
Bahrain: Opposition Leaders Sentenced to Jail
Opposition movements in Bahrain suffered a blow today after the military court, or National Security Court as it is called in Bahrain, sentenced 21 opposition figures to jail. Eight of them received life sentences. The sentences provoked criticism towards the regime of Bahrain because they came following calls for a national dialogue.
Iran: Paris Flashmob Marks Two Years Since Election
On June 12, 2011, to mark two years since Iran's disputed election, United4Iran and Move4Iran coordinated a flash mob in a Paris metro station to draw attention to ongoing human rights abuses in Iran.
Syria: Protests Break Out Following Assad Speech
Syrian president Bashar Al Assad gave a speech today outlining reform plans, which include forming a committee to form a committee to study reforms and the need for national dialogue. On Twitter, reactions continued to flow as Assad spoke. Assad's promises were met with more protests across the country, calling for him to leave power.
Syria: Al Assad's Cousin Quits Business for Charity Work
On 16th June, at the eve of another Friday of protests in Syria, Syrian State Television announced that 41-year-old businessman Rami Makhlouf will quit his businesses to take up charity work. Netizens react to the announcement.
Saudi Arabia: Women Behind the Wheel
Several Saudi women took the wheel yesterday to break the siege on driving in Saudi Arabia, where women are banned from driving cars. The campaign to drive was announced on Facebook, and fueled by conversations on other social media platforms, such as micro-blogging site Twitter. Laila Sindi, from Jeddah, shares her experience in a series of tweets.
Iran: “One year suspended jail sentence for being a Facebook user”
Several sites reported[fa] Mostafa Akhavan was sentenced one year sentenced jail sentence by an Iranian court. Among his accusations we can read acting against national security,publishing slogans in Facebook, sharing news about Green Movement and being a Facebook user.
Syria: 2.3km Flag at Pro-Government Rally in Damascus
Supporters of Syrian president Bashar Al Assad held a pro-regime rally today, carrying a 2.3km long Syrian flag in Mezzeh, in the capital Damascus, and chanting "The People Want Bashar Al Assad." Here are reactions from social media networks.
Syria: Crackdown Continues Despite International Outcry
Protests are continuing across Syria, as the Syrian regime shows no signs of loosening its brutal crackdown despite an international outcry. Netizens react on Twitter to the latest developments.
Bahrain: Lost and Disgusted
Bahraini Mahmood Al Yousif blogs: “Reason, it appears, has disappeared. The benefit of the doubt has no place. Will a dialogue ameliorate these feelings? Will it put the country back on a reconciliatory track? Will we ever think of an inclusive “us” rather than solidify an already created and maintained...
Lebanon: Lady Gaga's Latest Album Sparks A Rumor
Lady Gaga's latest album, Born This Way, stirred a small storm on Lebanese social networks. An article published by the Sun on June 4th, 2011, and commented by one of the Los Angeles Time blogs , stated that Lebanese authorities had banned the album. Lebanese fans immediately mobilized against this decision forcing the Sûrete Générale in Lebanon to deny the ban.
Lebanon: Raving about Goran Bregovic's concert
Famous Serbo-Croatian musician and composer Goran Bregovic performed in Lebanon on June 12 during the Beirut Music & Art Festival – BMAF. His performance is hailed by his Lebanese fans as “unbelievable” and “amazing”.
Lebanon: New All-Male Government Formed Amidst Continued Wrangling
After almost five months of protracted negotiations and political bickering, Lebanon's Hezballah-led March 8 alliance finally announced a new exclusively male, 30-minister government to be headed by Sunni billionaire Najib Mikati.
Algeria: No Protests, but Strikes Continue
“While a number of other Arab countries have been indulging in what has come to be known in the press as the ‘Arab Spring’ with various degrees of success, here in Algeria, various factions of the ‘civil society’ (if such an entity indeed exists here) have preferred indulging in strikes,”...
Algeria: Involvement in Politics
MnarviDZ, at Patriots on Fire, shares two stories on the involvement of Algerians in politics.
Egypt: On Iran's Theological Rule
Egyptian An Arab Citizen (Ar) discusses the model of the theological rule in Iran in this post.
Kuwait: Stop Internet Limits
Social Slave from Kuwait discusses limits on internet users in the country and what is being done about it in this post.
Palestine: Call to Free Khaled Zawahre
Occupied Palestine shares the plight of Khaled Zawahre, who is detained in Ofer prison, allegedly for beating up an Israeli soldier and throwing rocks. Occupied Palestine maintains Khaled's innocence and shares photographs and videos.
Syria: Reactions to the Gay Blogger Who Wasn't
Andy Carvin shares a timeline of stories and reactions to Amina, the Gay Girl in Damascus, that wasn't.
Egypt: Exploring Twitter’s Potential on the Ground
Micro-blogging site Twitter has become an important discussion forum for young Egyptians since the start of the revolution, writes Lilian Wagdy. Activists recently hosted a Twitter forum (Nadwa) which brought users to discuss the issue of Islamists face to face. Lilian Wagdy sums up reactions to the event.
About our Middle East & North Africa coverage
