Stories about Middle East & North Africa from November, 2011
North Korea: Did Gaddafi's Execution Scare Kim Jong-il?
Joo Sung-ha is a North Korean defector-turned-journalist who also blogs. This post is his critique of numerous news reports suggesting Kim Jong-il, North Korean dictator was scared to hear of his fellow dictator, and rumoured friend, Gaddafi's fall.
Saudi Arabia: Outrage Over 10 Lashes for Female Driver
Shaima Jastaniya, a Saudi woman who was arrested after driving her car in Jeddah six months ago, has been sentenced to 10 lashes. The two female journalists who reported her punishment have been summoned to appear in court.
Syria: Reports of Slow Internet
On Twitter, Syrian blogger Anas reports [ar]: “The Internet has been unbeliveably slow for a few days in Syria. I think it is something done on purpose and not just a technical issue.”
Arab World: Is the NYPD “Pulling a Mubarak?”
Arab netizens are watching with awe news of New York police forcefully evicting Occupy Wall Street protesters at Zuccotti Park in New York. Some say they are "pulling a Mubarak" in reference to the brutal manner in which Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak dealt with protesters who ousted him in the Egyptian revolution.
Iran: Uncertainty After Deadly Blast at Arms Depot
A huge explosion at a military base near Iran's capital Tehran, killed at least 17 soldiers including one high-ranking Revolutionary Guard official on November 12. Officials say it was an accident, while bloggers speculate on other possibilities.
Egypt: Homosexuals to Occupy Tahrir on January 1
Egypt's homosexuals have joined forces and intend to march in Tahrir Square on January 1 to demand their full rights in society. The announcement came in a Facebook group which called for the protest. Mona Kareem sums up netizen reactions to the initiative.
Egypt: Plight of Bloggers Continues at Military Courts
A military court today decided to jail blogger Alaa Abd El Fattah for another 15 days, 15 days after first detaining him, pending investigations on what defenders say are trumped up charges. Blogger Maikel Nabil Sanad's trial was also once again postponed until November 27.
Israel: Fury Over Legislation That Would Limit NGO Foreign Funding
The Israeli Twittersphere reacted strongly to the decision of the Ministerial Committee for Legislation in the Knesset, approving two bills that would heavily tax foreign donations of human rights non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and would severely limit the amounts the organizations are allowed to receive funding.
Iran: Campaign 99
Ali Abdi,an Iranian activist has launched “the Campaign 99”, interviewing Occupy Wall Street demonstrators in New York City's Zuccotti Park and publishing their messages for Iranian protesters in jail.
Yemen: Netizens Accuse Reuters of Biased Reporting
Many people were shocked to find out that the reputable and trusted source of news Reuters, has employed Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh's personal translator and secretary since 2009, Mohammed Sudam, as its manager in Yemen and head correspondent.
Egypt: Why Free Blogger Alaa Abd El Fattah?
A military court judge will decide today whether Alaa Abd El Fattah will be released or will spend another 15 days behind bars, pending investigations on what defenders say are trumped up charges. On Twitter, supporters have been rallying for his freedom under the hashtag #WhyFreeAlaa . Here is a selection of some of the tweets under this hashtag.
Egypt: Free Speech on Military Trial in Post-Revolution Egypt
Bloggers and freedom of speech and human rights defenders are holding their breath as Egypt's military courts decide the fate of two bloggers today.
Egypt: Police Attack Aswan Protesters Angry Over Killing of Fisherman
Egyptian Salma Said reports on Twitter: “Egyptian police attacked people in #aswan who gathered in front of a police station to protest the killing of a fisherman yesterday by police.”
UAE: Telecom Regulator in Talks on Banning iPhone Messaging Features
From the UAE, Tom Gara tweets: “Interesting to see UAE telco[m] regulator in talks on banning messaging features on new iPhone. To protect consumers, of course.”
Syria: Virtual Sit-In Garners Global Support
As the uprising in Syria enters its eighth month, activists are getting creative to ensure global attention toward the situation does not cease. An initiative by the Sham News Network asks individuals to submit videos to YouTube expressing their solidarity with the Syrian people.
Syria: Arab League Suspends Syria's Membership
The Arab League slapped Syria on the wrist today for killing more than 3,000 of its citizens by suspending its membership from the pan-Arab group, starting on Wednesday. Netizens react to the League's decision.
Bahrain: Are Police Cars Running Over Protesters on Purpose?
Bahrain has long maintained that it was dealing with unrest according to international law. Netizens have, however, been working around the clock to document human rights abuses committed by the authorities and posting them online for the world to see. In this post, Mona Kareem checks out videos posted online to show attempts by the police to run over protesters. Are police cars running over protesters on purpose?
Italy/Tunisia: Migrants’ Opinions of the Arab Spring
A documentary film, #Revolution, featuring the voices of some African immigrants living in Italy will be part of "Immaginafrica", a festival dedicated to African film-making organised by the University of Padua, Italy.
Egypt: Feminist Publishes Nude Photograph to “Express her Freedom”
An Egyptian feminist posted her nude photograph on the internet to express her freedom. Netizens react to the move in this post by Tarek Amr.
Iran: Blast at military base
Tahririeh Khamoush reports[fa] an explosion occured at a military base in Azimieh district in Karaj, near Tehran. The blogger has published a photo regarding this story. Read more here.
Tunisia: Police Violently Disperse Anti-Capitalism Protesters
On November 11, anti-capitalism protesters took to the streets of Tunisia, as part of a global movement called ''Occupy the World on 11.11.11.'' Police used baton, and tear gas to disperse demonstrators in the capital Tunis, causing an outcry among netizens.
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