· June, 2012

Stories about West Asia & North Africa from June, 2012

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.

22 June 2012

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.

22 June 2012

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.

21 June 2012

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.

21 June 2012

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.

21 June 2012

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.

20 June 2012

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.

19 June 2012

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.

19 June 2012

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.

18 June 2012

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.

18 June 2012

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.

18 June 2012

About our West Asia & North Africa coverage

Walid El Houri
Walid El Houri is the West Asia and North Africa Editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.