Stories about Middle East & North Africa from October, 2011
Iran: Be Scared, Dictator – Gaddafi is Dead
Several Iranian bloggers joined Libyans in celebration on Thursday, after longtime Libyan dictator Moammar Gaddafi was killed. Some bloggers longed for the end of dictatorship in Iran, as they shared in Libyan joy for a liberated country.
Libya: The Truth About Gaddafi's Death
Libya has broken out in celebration after Gaddafi's stronghold Sirte fell and the man himself was either captured and killed or killed and captured. On Twitter, journalists and pundits have tried to reconstruct his death circumstances.
Libya: Celebrations as Gaddafi Confirmed Dead
Libyan dictator Muammar Al Gaddafi is finally dead. After hundreds of thousands of tweets and guess work between news of him being captured, wounded, killed, or all three together, we finally have a confirmation from the Libyan ruling National Transitional Council (NTC) that he really is dead.
France: Blue Fingers and Tears of Joy as Tunisian Diaspora Vote
Tunisians living in France went to the polls today, ahead of the October 23 election in their country. Voters are voting freely and democratically for the first time in 50 years - just nine months after the first of the Arab revolutions - and are showing off their inked-stained blue fingers with pride.
Libya: Unconfirmed News of Gaddafi's Capture
Happy news has been coming out of Libya in the last few minutes, leaving Libyan and Arab tweeps rejoicing, albeit with caution, at the new developments. Rumour has it that Libyan dictator Muammar Al Gaddafi has been captured. Here are the first reactions.
Israel: Joy and Anger Continue Over Shalit Deal
Gilad Shalit's return has been one of the biggest events in recent Israeli history. The Israeli soldier was released from Hamas captivity after being held for 1,941 days, in exchange for 1,027 Palestinian prisoners. Here are more reactions from the Hebrew blogosphere.
Saudi Arabia: Men Arrested Over Poverty Video
Two Saudi men were arrested last Sunday October 16th in what seems to be a reaction to a video posted on their YouTube channel showing poverty in Riyadh. Through microblogging platforms, people have shown their support for the two videographers. A subtitled version of the video can be viewed here....
France: Tunisian Diaspora Set to Vote
Tunisian residents in France will vote ahead of their compatriots, from Thursday, October 20, until Saturday, October 22, whereas polls in Tunisia open on Sunday 23 October. There are an estimated 600,000 Tunisians living in France. Les cahiers de la liberté (Notebooks of Freedom,) [fr, ar] has published a guide to the...
Tunisia: Democratic Test for Tunisians on October 23 Election Day
Tunisians will head to polls on October 23 to elect a national constituent assembly which will write a new constitution for the country that was the spark of the so called Arab Spring. Though, the election is much anticipated, about half of Tunisian voters are still undecided, and there are fears of a low turnout rate.
Israel: Netanyahu Rapped for Exploiting Shalit's Return
Kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit is back home after 1,941 days of Hamas captivity. It is left for social media and a few marginal sections of the online newspapers to critique Prime Minister Netanyahu's approach to Shalit's release.
France: Towards an Admission of the 17 Octobre 1961 Suppression?
The blog Le Petit Blanquiste recounts [fr] the peaceful demonstration by Algerians in Paris, on 17 October 1961, which was suppressed in blood, and the media reactions of the time. After 50 years of near silence, there are emerging signs of an admission of fault.
Arab World: Celebrations Break Out as 477 Palestinians Released
Tweeps have been busy today following the details of the Israel-Palestine prisoner swap, which saw the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, in exchange for 1,027 Palestinian prisoners. Here is a summary of reactions of netizens from across the Arab world and beyond.
Iran: Student receives lashes
Khorafe says another students received [fa] lashes for insulting Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iranian president.
Iran: History of Women's Dress and Clothing
See the history of Iranian women's dress and clothing in Iran for 25 centuries in photos at rounash.com [fa].
Iran: Syrians carry “Khamenei's coffin”
A film in You Tube shows anti-Assad Syrians in Romania carried Iran's Leader, Khamenei's coffin, as a symbolic act, to protest against Assad's most important ally.
Poetry Slam Activism in Francophone Africa
Poetry slam is a well-known channel of expression for many activists in North America but the rest of the world has now embraced this unique blend of poetry and rhythmic oral story telling. Here are some examples from Francophone Africa and the context in which they arose.
Yemen: Azizah Abdo Othman, Yemen's First Female Martyr
More than 30 anti-regime protesters have been killed in Yemen on Saturday and yesterday, including the country's first female martyr Aziza Abdo, who was shot dead by a sniper during a protest in Taiz. Yemeni netizens react to the carnage.
Jordan: New Government, Expectations and Hope!
Jordan saw the appointment of a new prime minister today after the majority of parliamentarians sent a letter to King Abdullah, pointing out grievances with Dr Marouf Bakhit's government. International judge Awn Khasawneh replaces Bakhit. Here are some netizen reactions.
Bangladesh: Protest Against Beheading Of 8 Bangladeshis In Saudi Arabia
Photoblogger Monirul Alam posts pictures of a symbolic protest in Bangladesh mocking the execution scene of the beheading of 8 Bangladeshis in Saudi Arabia as punishment.
Worldwide: Dialogue and Peace Through Sport
Joël Bouzou, a bronze medalist during the 1984 Olympic Games and World Champion of modern penthathlon in 1987, is the founder and president of Peace and Sport, an NGO created in 2007 whose motto is "Building sustainable peace through sport".
Saudi Arabia Blocks Blogging Platform tumblr
Social media researcher Helmi Noman tweets: “#Saudi Arabia blocks blogging platform tumblr.com”
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