Learn more about Global Voices switch away from “Middle East & North Africa”.
Stories about West Asia & North Africa from October, 2013
#FreeBoussa: Moroccan Netizens Protest Teen Trial over Public Kiss
Three teenagers have been arrested in Morocco. Their crime? The first two were arrested for kissing in public, and the third for photographing them.
No Man's Land: Kidnapping Journalists Worsens in Syria
Activists are campaigning for the release of Syrian media activist Rami Al Razzouk, 25, who was kidnapped on October 1 after negotiations with his kidnappers reached a deadlock.
Morocco Censors the Web: Collateral Damage Allowed
A number of websites, among them popular social media platforms Instagram and Pinterest, have been blocked in Morocco. Also, one of the main independent media outlets, Lakome, has been censored.
Artists Search for Eid in Syria's War
Syria’s rising talents and distinct voices share their views on Eid Al Adha - a festivity difficult to celebrate among the rubble and dead bodies.
Dandin.me: Encompassing the Emerging Talent in the Middle East
October 10 saw the official launch of Dandin.me, a novel independent platform whose founders are based in Egypt. Abdel-Rahman Hussein, one of the people behind Dandin.me, explains what it aims...
Saudi Prisoners’ Visits Cancelled, Family Members Arrested
Relatives of Saudi prisoners were not only denied visits during the Eid Al Adha holidays, but were also arrested when they staged a sit-in to see their loved ones.
The Raqqa Woman who Faced the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria
School teacher Suad Nofal, from Raqaa, Syria, will not abandon her country in its hour of need. Syria Untold has her story.
Happy Ending This Time for Iran's Nuclear Crisis ?
Iranians on Twitter wonder if the latest talks with world powers will be good news for Iran.
On Blog Action Day, Thousands of Blogs on Human Rights
Bloggers around the world, including Global Voices contributors, are highlighting this year's #BAD13 topic: human rights.
Marking The 30th Anniversary Of The Beurs’ March For Equality
30 years ago (October 15, 1983), a march for equality against racism [fr] began in Marseille with 32 people, mostly of Arab origin, to ask for the right to vote and a 10-year resident card....
“Stop Harassment of Iranian Journalists’ Family Members”
A group of Iranian netizens and cyber activists wrote an open letter to Iranian president Hassan Rouhani and asked him to use his authority to stop harrassment of Iranian journalists’...
Mashrou’ Leila Is Back on Stage to #OccupyArabPop
Lebanese indie band Mashrou' Leila is taking the Arab world by storm. Ahmed Medien looks at how the band is using social media to reach out to audiences.
Saudis Celebrate Four Years of ACPRA, Their Defiant Human Rights Organization
The Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA) marks its fourth anniversary today. Saudi netizens celebrate its achievements.
Syria: Banksy’s Crude Politics
Anonymous British graffiti artist Banksy released a video satirizing the Syrian civil war, entitled “Rebel Rocket Attack," leaving Syrians and keen watchers of the conflict confused and disappointed.
Documentary Libido Challenges Egyptians to Talk About Sex
Libido is a short documentary discussing sexuality in Egypt. Following the internet sensation, Global Voices Online's Ahmed Awadalla probes further and talks to the filmmaker Youssef Alimam.
Nobel Peace Prize Fails to Pacify
Assad for Nobel Peace Prize 2014? This is one of many reactions after the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) was named as this year's Nobel Peace Prize winner.
Protests in Iraq Crowdvoiced
Crowdvoice is a platform that “works to provide first-hand reports, occasionally coupled with the top mainstream media coverage.” By curating and putting to the forefront the sound bytes of these...
#IranJeans: Yes We Do Wear Jeans, Mr. Netanyahu
The joke's on the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for saying that Iranians are not free to wear jeans.
Saudi Women Driving – “A Western Demand”
Saudi blogger Ahmed Al Omran shares this tweet by a female member of the Saudi ruling family, ridiculing the call to lift the ban on women driving: London-based Saudi princess...
Saudi Authorities Block Women Driving Websites
Saudi Arabia not only prohibits women from driving, it also blocks websites which call for them to drive.
Syria: The Girls of Al-Tall Weave Ribbons and Freedom
Their story is that of the greater Syrian tragedy - a nonviolent group with little funding and external support that defied both the regime, and its radical counterparts through civil means.
About our West Asia & North Africa coverage
