Learn more about Global Voices switch away from “Middle East & North Africa”.
Stories about West Asia & North Africa from June, 2012
Kuwait: Facebook Contest to Promote Child Safety
A mall in Kuwait is holding a Facebook contest to promote child safety in cars. Mark blogs about the initiative here.
Kuwait: Factory Fire
Blogger Mathai from Kuwait writes about a summer fires he saw in an industrial area. He shares a photograph.
Egypt: Two Camps, One Caricature
I have found no better summary of the current intriguing and backstabbing between the religious establishment on one side and their secularist counterparts on the other than a caricature, distributed first by the Islamists over Facebook, then altered by the other side to show their point of view.
#SudanRevolts in Wake of Austerity Anger
Amid a complete media blackout, the youth of Sudan have taken to the streets in a nation-wide protest against recent austerity measures. Maha El-Sanosi reports.
Brazil: Is There A Clear Foreign Policy for the Middle East and Africa?
The twenty-first century has brought important changes to the balance of power which had been in place until then, with obvious ramifications for the international economy and politics. In this context, Brazil has come to dispute its influence in recent years in two regions which were formerly dominated by the central countries: the Middle East and Africa.
Tunisia: Salafis Run Amok over ‘Blasphemous’ Art Works
A group of Salafists attacked an art exhibition, Le Printemps des Arts, in La Marsa, (north suburb of Tunis) destroying some of the art works deemed blasphemous to Islam. The incident soon turned into a riot, with hundreds of Salafists attacking several areas across Tunisia and clashing with security forces.
Kuwait: Unconstitutionally Elected Parliament
Kuwaiti blogger Mona Kareem discusses the latest political developments after the Constitutional Court ruled the parliament was elected unconstitutionally. “So is the court acting political? This can only be fully...
Egypt: Mubarak Dies One More Time
Former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak has died at least once every few weeks since the beginning of the Egyptian revolution, which toppled his 32-year reign. Netizens react to the latest speculations regarding his health.
Lebanon: Complete Blackout
Two of the major power plants, Zahrani and Deir-Ammar, in Lebanon suffered from “unknown” technical difficulties, which plunged most of the country into complete darkness. While some citizens took to the streets blocking roads in protest, netizens took to their keyboards to express their frustration.
Iran: Songs of Freedom
United4Iran, a non-profit organization campaigning for human rights in Iran has created an online music compilation designed to revive hope for freedom for Iranians.
Algeria: Twitter Protest Against the State of Education
Algerians on Twitter staged a protest against the state of education in their country, with Aboubakr Benbouzid, the Minister of Education, serving as a focal point. Borrowing from the slogan "Ben Ali dégage" (Ben Ali get out) made famous by the Tunisian revolution last year, they adopted the hashtag #BenbouzidDégage.
Iran: Is LGBT an Online Reality?
Homosexuality, which is banned in Iran, is punishable by prison or death. Fred Petrossian speaks to a researcher who led a team which studied how Iranian LGBT communities use internet in their daily lives.
Mauritania: Security Forces Break Up March, Arrest Activists
Coordinators of the youth opposition organised a demonstration held after Friday prayers on May 18, which saw opposition protestors leave the Saudi Mosque in the capital Nouakchott in a march headed towards the Ministry of Interior. The demonstration was forcefully suppressed by security forces using tear gas.
Syria: Regime Assailants Kill Blogger's Mother
Syrian blogger and activist Marcell Shehwaro, from Aleppo, lost her mother Marina, when government assailants shot at the car she was in early this morning. Netizens from around the world mourn their friend for her loss.
Iran: ‘Zuckerberg should take action against insulting Islam’
The state-funded group, “The Islamic Revolution Council of IT and Digital Media Activists” have asked Mark Zuckerberg in an open letter to take action against those who ‘insult Islam’ in...
Egypt: The Inevitable Clash between State and Muslim Brotherhood
“No matter what the outcome is, I am neither depressed nor demotivated. I have resolved, many months ago, that this revolution is continuing with or without me, and that the...
Egypt: Muslim Brotherhood Presidential Candidate Announces Victory
Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohamed Morsi and Hosni Mubarak's former premier Ahmed Shafiq declared they will be the next president of Egypt. The two men went neck and neck, and the official results will be announced on Thursday. Netizens, unhappy with both candidates, turn to Twitter to express their views.
Egypt: Final Round of the Presidential Elections in Photographs
Egyptian were called to vote on the second round of the presidential elections amidst attempts by the Supreme Council for the Armed Forces (SCAF) to keep a tight rein on the political stage. Ammoun shares photographs taken by netizens during the historic event.
Tunisia: Final Draft of New Constitution Preamble Causes Controversy
Tunisians are fuming over the final draft of the preamble (prelude) of the new constitution, drafted by their first elected parliament after the fall of the Ben Ali regime. Many netizens did not agree with the assembly members' vision of post-revolution Tunisia. Ahmed Medien summarises reactions.
Tunisia: Cyber-Activist Commits Suicide
Tunisian cyber-activist Karim Alimi, aged 29, committed suicide on June 16 in his Ariana home, reports Tunisia Live. Tunisie Secret sheds more light on the tragedy here [fr].
Egypt: Ikhwan Twitter Account Hacked
Zeinobia, at Egyptian Chronicles, discusses last month's hacking of the Muslim Brotherhood English website's Twitter account here.
About our West Asia & North Africa coverage
