Stories about Middle East & North Africa from July, 2012
Is Tunisia a Banana Republic?
Tunisian netizens react to a Tunisian MP's use of the term "President of the Banana Republic" to refer to interim President Moncef Marzouki, during a heated parliamentary debate.
Morocco: 22-Year-Old Arrested For Posting Cartoons of Prophet Mohammed on Facebook
According to online news magazine eMarrakech, a young Moroccan was arrested on Friday in Casablanca on charges of posting “insulting caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed on Facebook.” The accused, whose name has not been disclosed, has, according to local newspapers, published cartoons depicting the Prophet in the form of different...
Egypt: Cairo's Urban Future
Cairo from Below has recently launched an urban competition as part of an international initiative entitled Our Urban Futures, in which participants should send their proposals about their vision for the future of Cairo. It should be in a visual format, like a short video, cartoon or info-graphic. Submissions deadline...
Iran: Internet influence 43 % with 32.7 million users
The official report on Internet status in Iran by March 2012 indicates the influence rate is 43 percent, with 32.7 million users nationwide, 14.3 millions (18.9 %) connected to GPRS on their cellphones as the most common connection type, 4.5 millions of them connected through broadband ADSL, and about 860 thousands have...
Mauritania: A Journalist Behind Bars
Mauritanian journalist Obeid Ould Amegn, whose health is in bad condition [Ar], is still in the central prison of the Mauritanian capital Nouakchott. Obeid Ould Amegn, a journalist and an anti-slavery human rights activist, is the vice-president of the Club of Activist Journalists. Mauritanian police had arrested him on April 29, in the capital Nouakchott, after he gave a statement to Al Arabiya TV network regarding those arrested following a book-burning protest.
Yemen: Yemen Through Our Lenses Exhibition
Yemeni journalist and blogger Afrah Nasser is using social media to raise funds to stage a photography exhibition in Stockholm, Sweden. Find out how you can help Afrah achieve her mission and support Yemeni photographers showcase their work and talents.
Mauritania: A Rich Culture of Games, Dance and Music
Mauritania lies at the point where Arab and African cultures meet; it is the link between the countries of North and West Africa. This has given it a special character, evident in Mauritania's rich tradition of games, dances and music. In this post we will show you some examples.
MENA: Welcoming Ramadan
Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar has just begun. It is a time when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, try to get closer to God and celebrate their blessings. Around the world, Muslims have been trying to capture the spirit of the month with photographs, sharing them on different social media websites.
Pre-Olympics 2012: What’s Buzzing
With the 2012 London Olympics drawing closer, activities relating to the Games are heightening every day. From countries participating in the Games to their athletes preparing to score their best, the world's online audience is coming alive and getting ready for this extravaganza.
Israel: Media Learn About Shootings 8 Hours Later
@activestills, “a collective of Israeli, International and Palestinian photographers, united by a conviction that photography is a vehicle for social change”, says on Twitter this morning: “Israeli police informed media about the shooting incident against refugees only 8 hours after it happened”, pointing to a few images from the shooting....
Syria: Videos Document a Sharply Escalating Conflict
News from Syria set social media ablaze. Videos uploaded by activists on YouTube allowed viewers to follow key stages of a sharply escalating conflict.
Video: Internet Society Discusses International Freedom of Speech and Censorship
Will the technologies of anonymization win out over new digital monitoring tools? And will new wireless data technologies foster democracy–or lead to more effective tracking and surveillance? A panel discussion in Washington, DC on 25 June, 2012 with 6 activists from Syria, India, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Venezuela and Azerbaijan aimed to answer these questions.
Bahrain: Tweeting Appalling Conditions at Jaw Prison
Bahraini netizens are rallying online to draw attention to appalling conditions at the central Jaw Prison, which houses political detainees, among others. Following the crackdown on Bahrain's February 14, 2011, uprising, hundreds of people were arrested, put on trial and imprisoned for taking part in anti-government protests.
Egypt: No to a Military Funeral for Omar Sulieman
Hosni Mubarak's vice president and Egypt's former head of intelligence Omar Suleiman is dead. News of his death has triggered a storm of reactions on social media networks. On Twitter, netizens from around the Arab world, couldn't find much good to say to lament his loss.
Iran: “If Bashar Gets Killed, the Iranian Regime Will Call Him a Martyr”
Iranian bloggers reacted with humour to the Syrian rebels attack in Damascus and the bomb blast that killed three top security chiefs in the Syrian President Bashar Al Assad's regime. Iran and Syria enjoy excellent relations and netizens have resorted to poking fun at how impacted the Iranian regime would be should Al Assad finds himself out of power, following the 16 month revolution raging in Syria.
Jordan: Women's Rights Demonstrators Face Barrage of Criticism
On June 25, 2012, more than 200 people created a human chain in the streets of Amman to raise awareness for some of the most controversial women's rights issues in Jordan. The reaction by readers of news websites in the following days reflected how unprepared Jordan was for this type of protest.
Bulgaria: Security Services “Do Not Serve the Public”
Maya M of Maya's Corner comments on today's deadly bus explosion in the Bulgarian city of Burgas: “[…] While I understand that even the best intelligence can overlook the preparation of a terror act, I am angry, because our “services” are overstaffed and overfunded. They have generous subsidies even in...
Lebanon: Mixed Feelings Following Syria's Bombing
Today's Damascus blast cost the life of Syria's deputy Defense Minister Assef Shawkat and other top officials of president Bashar Al Assad's inner circle. As usual, the blast had its direct repercussions on Lebanon. Lebanese netizens take to their keyboards to share their thoughts.
Israeli Tourist Bus Attacked in Bulgaria
At least seven people were killed in an attack against Israeli youth on a tour bus in Burgus Airport in Bulgaria. Reports claim the attack was most likely carried out by a suicide bomber, who was either next to the bus or who got on the bus.
Egypt: Egyptians Give Advice to Syrians
Egyptians are dishing out advice to Syrians - on Twitter. Under a dedicated hash tag, the advice ranges from "do not take photographs with tanks" to "take advice from someone else." The move follows news from Damascus this afternoon that three of Syrian president's inner circle have been killed in a bomb blast in Damascus. They include the Defense Minister, whose successor has since been named.
Syria: Live Blogging from Midan
Syrian blogger Razan Ghazzawi was live blogging from the Midan neighbourhood in Damascus. Here's her take.
About our Middle East & North Africa coverage
Mariam Abuadas is the editor for the Middle East & North Africa. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.
