Stories about Middle East & North Africa from November, 2009
Palestine: Frustration With The “Swagger” Of Politics
Last week the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced that he would not stand for re-election in January, in frustration at the US failure to stop Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank. In this post we hear the opinion of one blogger who is also extremely frustrated – with Palestinian politics.
Lebanon finally has a government
It's official. Five months after Lebanon's parliamentary elections, the country's squabbling factions have finally formed a government. Citizen journalists react in this post.
Morocco: Islamic Finance Banks
we are watching you [Fr] explains why you won't see any Islamic finance banks in Morocco anytime soon.
Qatar: Anticipation mounts over England vs Brazil football friendly
All eyes are on conservative Qatar, which is bidding for the 2022 World Cup, to see how it handles the upcoming England vs. Brazil football friendly, with residents alternately excited and anxious about the influx of potentially rowdy football fans.
Lebanon: Operation: Sex Change
Queer Arab Magazine Bekhsoos supports the Operation: Sex Change campaign, aimed to raise awareness about transgender issues across the world. The campaign started on November 8, the International day of action for sexual and bodily rights across Muslim societies, and ends on November 20, the Transgender Day of Remembrance.
Southern Madagascar Hit Hard by Severe Drought and Toxic Spill
While the political direction of Madagascar remains mired in total uncertainty since the coup d'etat in March, in Addis Ababa, the international community is again trying to mediate an agreement between the various political movements. The president of the African Union and one of the mediators present in Addis Ababa,...
Egypt: Swine Flu Update
From Egypt, Zeinobia brings us an update on H1N1 or swine flu.
Saudi Arabia: The Houthis, Iran and Saudi Arabia
John Burgess at Crossroads Arabia connects the dots between the Houthis in Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Egypt: Free Kareem Rally in DC
Supporters in Washington DC, US, stage a rally in support of jailed Egyptian blogger Kareem Nabil Sulaiman, or Kareem Amer. Free Kareem has more.
Jordan: Nidal Malik Hasan
Arab American Nidal Malik Hasan opened fire at a military base on the US, killing several people. Jordanian Hareega comments on the incident in this post.
Saudi Arabia: A Blogger's Praise Of Britain
Maram Meccawy is a Saudi writer and blogger, currently living and working in the UK. She recently wrote a post called "Why am I ready to defend Britain?"
Algeria: 50 Top Algerians
Looking for the 50 top Algerians? “Jeune Afrique has run an nice special on the 50 people who make Algeria what it is — politicians, policemen, generals, business people, cultural luminaries, and others,” writes Alle, at the Maghreb Politics Review.
Morocco: Clinton in Morocco
“Annouss has been keeping track of Hillary Clinton’s visit in Morocco,” notes Alle, from the Maghreb Politics Review.
Bahrain: For the fear of dogs
From Bahrain, Suhail Algosaibi posts a vlog on how he helped his son get over his fear of dogs – and how he made his own fear of dogs worse.
MENA: H1N1, Vaccines and Conspiracy Theories
Many countries have introduced vaccinations to help combat the spread of H1N1, or swine flu. As the sickness toll increases, so does the buzz online.
Bahrain: A New Old Love
Alia Almoayed, from Bahrain, has reconnected with her new old love. Click on the link to find out what it is.
Egypt: Praise for Threatened Voices
Egyptian Ibn Al Dunya, who writes at Fustat, praises a new Global Voices Online project – Threatened Voices, which tracks the suppression of online free speech.
Bahrain: An American Soldier
A picture speaks a thousand words. Mahmood Al Yousif, from Bahrain, is full of praise for the series of An American Solider, which follows in the footsteps of a soldier for 27 months from induction to training to combat and back home.
Libya: Islamists Rising
At the Maghreb Politics Review, Alle takes a look at Libya's internal politics and the emerging role of Islamists.
Egypt: Max's thoughs on Azaan
Max Strasser, a journalist living in Cairo, wrote his thoughts on government plans to sync the call to prayer in every Cairo mosque to a radio broadcast.
Tunisia: Blogger Fatma Arabicca Detained
Tunisian blogger Fatma Riahi, who blogs as Fatma Arabicca, has been charged with defamation on her own blog and is now being detained. A group has been formed on Facebook in support of the 34-year-old blogger, who is also being accused of blogging on Debat Tunise (Tunisia Debate).
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