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Stories about West Asia & North Africa from March, 2008
Moroccans Celebrate Eid el Mawlid en-Nabaoui, the Prophet's Birthday
Eid el Mawlid en-Nabaoui, or the Celebration of the Prophet Muhammed's Birth took place yesterday in Morocco and throughout much of the Sunni Muslim world. It's an official holiday in...
Iraq: Five long years … most of them in tears
For me the whole story of the fifth anniversary of the Iraq war can be summed up one post. One post that says nothing about the past five years but implies everything as well. We can talk about the lack of security, the number of deaths, the failure of the occupation, but all this talk has become as meaningless as glib phrases like "Collateral Damage." What really matters is how the war is affecting people's lives, writes Salam Adil.
Palestine: Divine Calling to Stalk Britney Spears
Maytha at Kabobfest is surprised at the revelation made by a Britney Spears paparazzi – that he got his calling to follow the star while on pilgrimage to Mecca!
Bahrain: Kindest People Ever
Sous, a Swedish woman living in Bahrain, wonders about the impact of development on Bahrainis. “Bahrainis … are the most kind people I have ever met. They are polite, educated,...
Iran: A New Year Begins
Yesterday, marked the first day of spring and the Iranian New Year. Nowruz or Norouz is celebrated in Iran and several other countries such as Tajikistan and Afghanistan. Several bloggers...
Iran: Iranian New Year and history
Kourosh Ziabari calls Iranian new year, a celebration of love and peace and talks about its history.
Egypt: A Lebanese in Egypt – From Occupation to Liberation
One day, she felt humiliated, and the next, liberated. This is the story of Layal El Katib, a Lebanese Blogger who lived in Egypt for a while, brought to us by Tarek Amr.
Moroccan Blogosphere on Fouad Mourtada: Finally Free
Young Moroccan engineer Fouad Mourtada was released from prison by presidential pardon days before Eid el Mawlid, the Prophet Muhammad's birthday. Fouad was imprisoned for more than forty days for creating a Facebook profile of the king's brother, Moulay Rachid. Bloggers reflect on the grassroots effort to free Fouad and celebrate his liberation as a step forward for personal freedoms in the Kingdom.
UAE: Labour Riot
The Emirates Economist links to several news sources about a massive labour riot in the United Arab Emirates, over the increasing cost of living.
Israel: Shakespeare Was a Jewish Woman?
The Bard's identity has long been a matter of debate, but a new candidate has entered the scene. Could Shakespeare have been an Italian Jewish woman? Jewcy's John Hudson provides...
Israel: Historic Visit by German Chancellor Angela Merkel
Chancellor Angela Merkel's address to the Israeli Knesset was the first ever by a German head of state. Following controversy that Merkel would speak in German– an issue that enraged...
Israel: A Joyous Celebration of Purim
The holiday of Purim celebrates the triumph of the Jewish people over those who seek and sought their destruction. Purim is a joyful holiday celebrated with costumes, festivities, good food, and much drinking, writes Maya Norton, from Israel.
Iran:Iran in Slides
Damon Lynch in asianreflection presents Iran in several slides/photos.
Iraq: Five Years of War and Deception
Moi, from My Occupied Territory, writes about the fifth anniversary of the war on Iraq in this post. “The U.S. will continue to live with this burden for years to...
Morocco: Prisoners Pardoned
More than 560 prisoners were pardoned in Morocco, to mark the Prophet's Birthday, announced The View from Fez.
Lebanon: At the Lebanese-Syrian border
Returning to Lebanon after a trip to Syria, Bech shares his experience with the officials at the Lebanese side of the border.
Lebanon: Dutch embassy without flag
“Since a couple of days, The Dutch embassy in Beirut has stopped flying its flag,” reports Harald Doornbos from Beirut.
Lebanon: Lack of interest
“To be completely honest with you, I’m having a sudden lack of interest in Lebanese affairs these days… It could be a serious case of disillusionment about Lebanon and its...
Lebanon: Solidere demolishes synagogue
“The last witnesses to Beirut's architectural heritage and to the once-thriving Lebanese Jewish community in Wadi Abu-Jmil fall to the bulldozers of Saad Hariri's Solidere,” writes Hanibaal.
Lebanon: Hanging on
Marillionlb shares the story of a middle aged man who is keeping his faith in Lebanon despite the odds and hardships.
Iran: A cartoon about elections
Nikhang, blogger and a leading cartoonist, has published a cartoon about recent parliamentary election in Iran where president Ahmadinejad says ” I continue to copy [votes].”
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