Stories about Middle East & North Africa from November, 2009
Palestine: Gaza Reading Club Learns About Kindle
In Gaza, the members of the Qattan Foundation Reading Club were recently introduced to the Kindle, and photos have been posted on the club's blog [Ar].
Morocco: War on Press Continues
The Moroccan authorities are ratcheting up their attacks on independent journalists. A week rarely passes without the authorities hitting hard on the press for alleged infractions, cracking down on printed as well as online media. Bloggers have been reflecting on this state of affairs.
Global Health: World Toilet Day Raises a Stink
While it may sound like a bad joke, today's World Toilet Day focuses on a not-so-funny issue impacting almost half the world's population -- a lack of toilets and sanitation.
Palestine: Twitter Reports Say Israel Bombing Rafah & Khan Yunis
During Israel's attacks on Gaza in January 2009, bloggers and Twitter users took the place of the media, which had been banned from entering, reporting on each event well before mainstream publications. Today, a user raises the alarm saying Israel has just bombed Rafah and Khan Younis.
Western Sahara: Aminatou Haidar Deported
Aminatou Haidar is a leading activist for independence of the Western Sahara (from Morocco). On Friday, November 13 when, upon returning to Laayoune (a city in the Western Sahara region), she was arrested and subsequently deported. Jillian C. York rounds up the reactions of bloggers.
Syria: Internet Woes Continue
Syrian blogger Rami wrote [ar] a post comparing internet speeds and costs in Syria with those in Romania. He was frustrated with having to struggle to obtain a 256Kbps connection in Syria in contrast with 100Mbps in Romania for roughly the same cost.
Saudi Arabia: We'll Defend Ourselves – For The Right Reason
In recent weeks a longstanding conflict between the Houthi rebels and the Yemeni government has expanded to involve Saudi Arabia, which which has been carrying out bombing raids within Yemen. In this post one Saudi blogger gives his view of the situation.
Egypt: What do women want?
What do women in Egypt want? The Arabist takes a closer look.
Bahrain: Three Kingfishers
From Bahrain, bird watcher Howard King shares his find: three kingfishers.
Iran: Art in Protest
The artistic creativity of the ‘green' protest movement since the June 12 presidential election has perhaps been unique in Iran's history.
Egypt vs. Algeria: The Twitter Match
In much of the world, nothing is more unifying - or in some instances, more polarizing - than a football match. Egyptian and Algerian fans battled it off on Twitter as their national teams faced off for a place in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Egypt: German Justice for Marwa El Sherbini
The killer of Marwa El-Sherbini, the Egyptian woman who was stabbed to death inside a German courthouse by a Russian-German immigrant, Alex Wiens, has been sentenced to life imprisonment, without a possibility for early release. Justice is finally served and the killer is being punished, say Egyptian bloggers.
Egypt: Nidal Hassan – Psychiatrist or Psychotic?
Major Nidal Hassan is the US military psychiatrist of Arab origins who went on a shooting rampage at Fort Hood in Texas, killing 13 people. He is now facing charges of premeditated murder. "Psychiatrist or Psychotic?", ask Egyptian bloggers.
Jordan: Letter to MBC
Jordanian Ola Eliwat, from Cinnamon Zone, pens an open letter to MBC television group. In it, she writes: “And please consider shutting down 90% of your channels, I think it would be a HUGE favor for the Arab nation!”
Egyptians! Algerians! Wake UP!
From ferocious marketing campaigns to Facebook wars, hacking, and owl burning, the November 14th match between Egypt and Algeria has turned into an ugly war. Marwa Rakha reports from the battlefront.
Palestine: Twitter inspiried street
Eman at AquaCool comments on the first Twitter-inspired street name, in a West Bank Palestinian refugee camp.
Egypt: Celebrities sans Diplomacy
Bikya Masr reported two stories a couple of days apart about celebrity blunders and lack of tact. Beyonce was targeted in the first and Salma Hayek spoke out in the second. Marwa Rahka has the story.
Morocco: Aicha Ech Chenna Wins Opus Prize
In Morocco, women who get pregnant out of wedlock are often shunned from their communities. Activist and social worker Aicha Ech Chenna has been working for almost 25 years to help such mothers and their children. Now, her efforts are being rewarded.
Qatar: No one is above the law – really?
Doha bloggers bemused, incredulous and wistful by official remarks that no one in Qatar is above the law. A debate over the merits of that statement quickly evolves into a discussion on press freedom, as more clamor for a new law press law, free from any imprisonment penalties against journalists.
Egypt: One day before playing Algeria
Tension is building up over the decisive football match between Egypt and Algeria due to take place in Cairo on November 14. The encounter will determine which of the two teams will qualify to next year's FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Some Egyptian bloggers enjoy a game with a twist.
Algeria-Egypt: Online Feud Over Football Match
Tension is building between Egyptian and Algerian football fans ahead of a decisive football match due to take place in Cairo on November 14, which could determine which of both teams would qualify to next year's FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Ahead of the Saturday showdown, rival fans have been gearing up offline, as well as online heated exchanges, escalating into a little "war" of intimidation.
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