Stories about Middle East & North Africa from October, 2011
Egypt: Catch the Former Regime Remnants
Last April, an Egyptian court ordered the dissolution of the political organization that ruled the nation for decades. Its members are however reinventing themselves, joining the lists of candidates vying for November's parliamentary elections. See how netizens have joined hands to expose them.
Tunisia: Provisional Results Suggest Islamists Advance
Provisional results of the October 23 election in Tunisia suggest that the Islamist party Ennahdha took the biggest share of the votes. Counting of the votes is still underway, and the final results are expected to be announced on Tuesday afternoon.
Libya: A Convenient Execution
Alain Gresh outlines in his post on Libya, “An Ambiguous Liberation” [fr], that Gaddafi's execution “puts an end to the possibility of a trial that would have shone light on the support given to Gaddafi by different countries, including France and Great Britain, since 2003.”
Turkey: Online Relief Efforts for Van's Earthquake Victims
Eastern Turkey was hit by a large earthquake of magnitude 7.2 yesterday. Kubra sums up some of relief efforts that were spearheaded online, pushing for humanitarian and rescue efforts on the ground.
China: Goodbye Gadhafi and Tyranny
Prominent Chinese blogger, Yang Hengjun says farewell to Gadhafi’s rule and the remaining less than 10% autocratic rulers at China Media Project.
North Korea: Lessons Kim Needs to Learn from Libya
Blogger Grant Montgomery left a commentary on Gaddafi's fall, correlating it with the future of North Korean dictator, Kim Jong-il.
Egypt: Man Jailed for Three Years for Insulting Islam on Facebook
Egyptian Ayman Youssef Mansur has been sentenced for three years with hard labour in Egypt for “insulting Islam” on Facebook, reports Brian Whitaker in Al Bab.
Tunisia: Voting NOT Extended by Two and a Half Hours
Journalist Yasmine Ryan tweets: “Tunisia's polling booths will be open an extra 2 and a half hours due to such high turnout, until 9.30pm.” She then amended her tweet: “CORRECTION: polls still shut at 7pm, but all those with people still inline are to remain open.”
Jordan: Alternative Voices on the World Economic Forum
From October 21 to 23, Jordan hosted the World Economic Forum's Special Meeting on Economic Growth and Job Creation in the Arab World. This year, as the Arab world continues to awaken and reshape its existence, a vocal and alternative narrative is growing online.
Tunisia: Long Queues and Mixed Feelings on Election Day
Today will be engraved in the memories of Tunisian voters, who poured into polling stations, from the early hours of the morning. Tunisians are electing a national constituent assembly to re-write the country's constitution. Long queues and hours of waiting did not dampen the spirits of voters who were determined to have a say in the way their country will be run.
Tunisia: A Rendezvous With History
Today Tunisians have been voting for a Constituent Assembly, the body charged with writing a new constitution and appointing a new transitional government. In the run-up to the elections, bloggers voiced their feelings about the historic moment.
Turkey: 1,000 People Feared Dead in Van Quake
A massive earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2 hit eastern Turkey a few hours ago. Up to 1,000 people are feared dead. The quake hit Ercis, in the mountainous province of Van close to the Iranian border, the hardest. On Twitter, users are checking on loved ones and exchanging updates on the death toll and rescue efforts.
Arab World: Cheering on Tunisia's Elections
Tunisians are receiving positive vibes from netizens across the Arab world as they go to the polls today to elect a 218 member constituent assembly which will rewrite the country's constitution, appoint an interim president and a caretaker government. The elections are historic in that they are described as the Arab world's first free elections following revolutions which toppled the dictators of Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. All eyes are on Tunisia today, as Tunisians reap a fruit from their revolution.
Egypt: Watching the Tunisian Elections
The Tunisian revolution preceded the Egyptian one and since then the Tunisians pursuit of democracy has been inspiring to the Egyptians. And now it's time for Egyptians to watch the Tunisians electing for the first time. Here is a snap shot of their reactions on Twitter.
Syria : The “Free Army” defies the regime
Wearing bullet-proof vests and Kevelar helmets and holding assault rifles, 13 men make their way through an enthusiastic crowd (AR) which is warmly welcoming them with slaps on the back. It is the beginning of September in the Boustan al-Diwan district of Homs. For the towns activists today's "haul" is substantial. They are deserters from the Syrian army. Madjid Zerrouky explains:
France: Tunisian Diaspora Open “The Blue Finger Club”
The three-day anticipated vote for Tunisian living abroad is now over and has established a new "blue fingers club" on social media networks. Tunisian voters in France flaunt their ink-stained fingers - proof that they are part of the select club of early voters in the historical Tunisian constituent elections.
Tunisia: A Crowdmap to Monitor the Elections
The Independent Tunisian electoral commission has set up a crowdmap to monitor the voting process in Tunisia, in French and Arabic. Citizens are encouraged to report irregularities they may witness during the October 23 constituent elections. The crowdmap is also accessible from the official homepage of the electoral commission.
Tunisia: It is Election Day!
Tunisians embark on an historic day today. It is election day where they will head to the polls to elect a national constituent assembly, which will be responsible for writing a new constitution, and forming a new government. Here are some thoughts from election eve.
Czech Republic: Reactions to Qaddafi's Death; Trade Relations With Libya
Petr Bokuvka of The Czech Daily Word writes about the potential of the foreign trade relations between the Czech Republic and Libya, and reports on the Czech Foreign Ministry's reaction to the death of Qaddafi.
South Asia: Reactions on the New Beginning of Libya
After the death of Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, people from all over the world are expressing their views on his reign, the way he died and the new beginning it promises to Libya. South Asian bloggers also were quick to express their opinions.
Oman: Statute of State Amended Following Shura Council Elections
A Royal Decree by the Sultan of Oman has announced amendments giving the Shura (Consultative) and State councils a say in the way the country is run. The laws give both houses new legislative and monitoring powers. Bloggers react to the results and what they see as tribal influences.
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