Stories about Middle East & North Africa from December, 2013
With No Easy Access to Medicine, Iranians Suffer Sanctions
Even after the lifting of some sanctions, Iranians still have difficulty acquiring the medicines they need to thrive or survive.
It Snowed in Egypt but the Snow-Covered Sphinx Photograph is a Hoax
This photograph of the Sphinx in Giza, Cairo, has gone viral, after Egypt's biggest snow storm in more than 100 years. There is one problem though - it isn't real.
Never Argue with Egyptian Graffiti
On Twitter, Omar Kamel, from Egypt, notes: You can't argue with graffiti. #Egypt pic.twitter.com/G7vNdFqfwE — Omar Kamel (@OmarKamel) December 15, 2013
Saudi Political Dissident to Be Flogged, Judge Rules
Saudi human rights activist Umar al-Saed has been sentenced to four years in prison and 300 lashes for his peaceful activism, in a secret trial.
Video: “Not Anymore: A Story of Revolution” in Syria
"Not Anymore: A Story of Revolution" is a 15-minute documentary film about the war in Syria which starts with a bang and ends with hope
Syrian Cartoonist Akram Raslan Reportedly Killed by Regime
Uncertainty continues over the fate of Syrian cartoonist Akram Raslan, winner of the Award for Courage in Editorial Cartooning for 2013, arrested in October 2012 by the Assad regime.
No to Syrian Chemical Weapons Dismantled in Albania
Reports surfaced that Syria's chemical weapons stash would be destroyed in Albania. The Albanian government had refused the proposal, after angered Albanians took to the streets in protest.
Israel/Palestine: “We Want Peace”
What happens when a Palestinian is “discovered” on a train in Israel? They send him back home with the message, “Go to your people and tell them that we want peace.” Read Hamze Awawde's inspiring account here.
Syria's Homs: Once a Great City, Now a Winter Wasteland
CBS news correspondent Clarissa Ward tweets the photograph, saying: There are no words. Winter in #Homs #Syria – once a great city, now a wasteland pic.twitter.com/TTAiUPWVuk via @abumuqawama @borzou @RamiAlLolah — Clarissa Ward (@clarissaward) December 11, 2013
Saudi Airlines Still has Manual Levers for Plane Seats
Saudi Muna AbuSulayman complains about the use of manual levers in Saudi Airlines aircraft seats: How old are theses @saudi_airlines planes!!!! 3rd time this week I was seated on them . Manuel levers??? Seriously! pic.twitter.com/8lotaiWRke — Muna AbuSulayman (@MunaAbuSulayman) December 11, 2013
No Electricity in Gaza
From Gaza, Palestine, Mohammed Al-Agha tweets: Without electricity for 14 hrs, and still waiting for ! everything here gonna be worst ! gazans have no life. #Gaza #palestine — Mohammed Al- Agha (@MZa_94) December 11, 2013 He continues [ar]: الزلمة اللي بطلع يجيب الكهربا شكله ماخد إجازة ؟ حنطبق ال24 ساعة...
Non-Violent Activist Razan Zaitouneh and her Team Kidnapped in Syria
Four activists, among them internationally acclaimed non-violent activist Razan Zaitouneh, from Syria's Violations Documentation Center (VDC) were kidnapped by unidentified masked gunmen, sparking a call for their immediate release.
Appeal to Free Spanish Journalist and Photographer Kidnapped in Syria
Appeals continue for the release of journalist Javier Espinosa and freelance photographer Ricardo Garcia Vilanova, both Spanish, kidnapped in Syria by the Islamic State of Syria and Iraq.
“Digital Hooligans” from Iran Attack Messi's Facebook
Iranians posted a flood of nasty comments on the Facebook page of the Argentinian footballer ahead of the World Cup.
Syria's Desolate Winter Just Got $100,347 Times Warmer
More than $100,000 was raised in the “Shave a Mustache, Keep a Syrian Child Warm” virtual campaign. Find out how you too can help Syrian children warm this winter.
Infinite Detention Legalized in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia just approved a law which allows judges to detain people indefinitely in a country where activists claim up to 30,000 people are held without trial.
#GVMeetup: Global Voices in Real Life
In this episode of GV Face we are joined by an all-star panel made up of #GVMeetup facilitators from Egypt, Pakistan, and Portugal.
Seditious iPhone Reviews? Iran Arrests 7 from Tech News Site
In a recent wave of arrests of "cyber activists" in Kermin, Iran authorities have also netted gadget reviewers from Narenji.ir.
Traffickers Force Smuggled Refugees to Rape Each Other in Sinai
About 30,000 people have been trafficked to Sinai, Egypt, over the last five years. Cairo-based journalist Bel Trew tweets from a Press conference on the matter, to shed light on "a hugely under-reported issue."
Egypt Mourns Poet of the People Ahmed Fouad Negm
Revolutionary Egyptian poet Ahmed Fouad Negm died yesterday at the age of 84. Netizens from across the Arab world mourn his death.
Iranian Artist was Arrested
Several netizens reported that Iranian artist and activist for Hassan Rouhani's presidential campaign was arrested several days ago in Iran.Ali Karami tweeted Samad Khatibi, activist part of Rouhani campaign staff, was arrested at airport when returning from Holland, according to Kalemeh website. — Arash Karami (@thekarami) December 4, 2013
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.
