Stories about Middle East & North Africa from January, 2012
Iran:Bread price soars
Harfayi az Tahe Del writes bread price [fa] soars in country and a Sangak cost about 1000 tomans.The blogger reminds [fa] us before revolution, 33 years ago, a Sangak was just one toman. The blogger asks if our parents had known one day Sangak becomes so expensive, would they have...
Iran: A cleric blogger on hunger strike
Mohammad Sadegh Honarvar Shojayi, a blogger and cleric started his hunger strike on Monday. He was arrested by the Prosecutor General on charges of conducting an interview with the reformist Kalameh website.
Iran: Enthusiasm over ‘A Separation’ in Golden Globe
Iranian users are showing enthusiasm in Facebook over a photo which shows Asghar Farhadi, the Iranian director of ‘A Separation‘, a Golden Globe foreign language nominee, beside Pedro Almodovar and Angelina Jolie, other nominee directors who are very famous in Iran.
Iran: We can not achieve freedom with virtual world
Ghorghrou says [fa]” we can not achieve freedom with virtual world…we make a mistake thinking all Iranians in country are as informed as a group of Iranians in Facebook or Balatarin.”
Iran: A homeless Iranian killed in Canada
Several Iranian bloggers reported [fa] Farshad Mohammadi, a 34 years old homeless Iranian in Montreal was killed by a policeman. Canada's police says the victim had attacked a policeman with knife.
Iran: A former military commander under fire
A former Revolutionary Guards commander Hossein Alae who dared to warn the Supreme Leader about the consquences of repression is under fire.There was a protest gathering in front of his house.Hamdel praises [fa] his bravery and ask Iranians to support him.
Morocco: Activist Rapper Freed
Mouad Belghouat "Al Haked" (The Indignant), a 24-year-old Moroccan rap artist and outspoken critic of Morocco's monarchy, was released on Thursday from prison where he had been held since last September. The announcement of Mouad's release spread like fire on Facebook and Twitter as several supporters rushed to the prison to welcome him.
Yemen: January 12, a Day Without Qat
Today has been declared a 'No Qat Day' by Yemeni netizens, who hope their call will deter their countrymen and women from chewing Qat, an addictive narcotic leaf, chewed by the majority of Yemeni men and women. Noon Arabia sums up online reactions to the day in this post.
Iran: Blogger May Face Death Penalty for Insulting Islam
A 50-year old Iranian blogger, Mohammad Reza Pour Shajari (aka Siamak Mehr), has been charged with “insulting the Prophet of Islam” and “enmity with God” or “waging war against God”, charges that could carry the death penalty in Iran.
Global Voices in French: Translators’ Choice 2011
In 2011, volunteer translators at Global Voices in French translated hundreds of articles and updates on world events and we'd like to say "'Merci!". We've asked them which translation struck them most, during this epic year. Here is the French translators' selection!
Iran: Death penalty
RSF reports” two jailed netizens, Saeed Malekpour and Vahid Asghari, were sentenced to death in January 2011 on charges of anti-government agitation and insulting Islam.” They were accused of developing porn sites.
Global Voices in Dutch Looks Back on 2011
While the year 2012 is already well on its way, the translators of Global Voices in Dutch look back on 2011. Which posts stood out and what makes Global Voices so special?
Iran: “This bomb is a statement”
Kamangir, an Iranian prominent blogger based in Canada, believes [fa]: “Attack on a nuclear activist with a magnetic bomb. The target is not to kill someone. This is a statement; saying we did it and would do it again.”
Tunisia: The Evolution of Tunisian Propaganda
Tunisian blogger kefteji blogs about the “evolution of Tunisian propaganda,” charting the coverage of Tunisian French daily La Presse from December 17, 2010, until the fall of former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali on January 14, 2011.
Egypt: Diaries of a Cancer Patient
Breaking from the norm, Tarek Amr interviews Heba Mitkees, a blogger who had died last month, after battling cancer. Amr asks the questions and looks for answers in Mitkees blog.
Venezuela: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's Visit Raises Controversy
Iran's President, Mahmud Ahmadinejad, arrived in Venezuela on Sunday, January 8, in his first stop in a tour to several Latin American countries. His visit has sparked strong reactions on social networks, where users are questioning whether his presence might be of some benefit for the nation.
Libya: Draft Electoral Law Criticized
A few days ago, the Libyan government released a draft of a new election law for public debate. The aim was for citizens to discuss it and find out the opinion of the majority of Libyans about it. This draft, the first in Libya's post-Gaddafi era, is the first of its kind in a country that had no elections in four decades. The elections are slated for June and the new parliament will be charged with writing the country's constitution.
Syria: Netizens Angered by Assad's Speech
Syrian President Bashar Al Assad gave a long rambling speech today, which further angered Syrians protesting against his dictatorship. When Arab leaders speak, netizens take to their keyboards and engage in taking a stab at heads of states who put themselves in such a position. Here is a round up of reactions from Twitter as Al Assad addressed his people - the same people being killed for protesting for democratic rights.
Libya: A Letter from a Woman in Benghazi
A Libyan woman from Benghazi is criticizing her countrymen for marrying non-Libyans after the revolution. She states that Libyan women are not getting rights equal to those granted to men in an open letter posted on Facebook. Mohamed ElGohary provides a translation from Arabic.
Yemen: Saleh Gets Away With Murder…He Gets Immunity
The Yemeni Cabinet endorsed [December 8] a draft law which grants legal immunity to outgoing President Ali Abdullah Saleh based on the GCC agreement, despite nationwide protests demanding Saleh's trial for the killing of protesters. The draft law now has to be rubber stamped by Parliament to become law. Netizens react with anger and disappointment.
Zambia: Former Diplomat Calls on West to Engage Iran Through IAEA
A Zambian veteran politician and erstwhile diplomat who once served as the country’s permanent representative at the United Nations, Vernon Mwaanga, has told a citizen radio that the West should not be dismissive of Iran because it has become a nuclear power.
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