· July, 2009

Stories about Western Europe from July, 2009

Hijablogging: On Burqas and Bans

Although the practice of wearing hijab has been around since pre-Islamic times, the debate surrounding it has increased in recent years. Whereas in some countries, hijab is mandated, in others, it has been banned in schools, workplaces, and sometimes altogether. But whether required or forbidden, Muslim women's dress is almost always a topic of hot debate.

Bermuda, U.K.: Missed Celebrations

  29 July 2009

Repeating Islands reports that Britain's Queen Elizabeth II “skipped yesterday’s celebrations of the 400th anniversary of the settlement of Britain’s oldest colony after a row with the island’s pro-independence leader”, adding that the island's Premier was also noticeably absent.

Ecuador: Woman Attempts to Auction Virginity Online in Spain

  28 July 2009

An Ecuadorian immigrant living in Valencia, Spain decided to put her virginity up for an online auction to help pay for medical care for her ailing mother. The ads were eventually taken down, not without attracting strong reactions in blogs and in mainstream media from those criticizing her actions and also brought focus on the plight of immigrants in Spain.

UAE: Dubai Bashing Continues

Seabee, from Dubai Thoughts, says there is yet another article following the fad for Dubai bashing. This one is in the UK Sunday Times. “Once again it's an article concentrating solely about what's wrong, with no balance, but at least it isn't the sort of inaccurate and often patently untrue...

Nabucco: Running out of gas

Der Spiegelfechter comments on [GER] the agreement to build gas pipeline Nabucco and wonders where the gas will be coming from, whereas Der Unbequeme questions [GER] the need of yet another pipeline. LJ user xystos argues [RUS] why Nabucco is a mere mirage, and LJ user tertiaroma sees [RUS] the...

Nabucco: Chorus of the energy slaves

Gabriela Ionita of Power&PoliticsWeblog discusses the recent agreement in Ankara on the construction of the western financed Nabucco gas pipeline and competition with Russia over Caucasian and Central Asian gas supplies and deliveries to Europe.

UAE: Marwa's Mainstream Media Fail

Dubai's Fake Plastic Souks describes the coverage following the murder of Egyptian Marwa El Sherbiny in a German courthouse as a “mainstream media fail.” “So, once again, we have news that travelled around Twitter, Facebook and blogs, the social media I talk so much about, but that was not considered...

Azerbaijan: An Interview with Scary Azeri

Unashamedly acerbic, but alway humorous, Scary Azeri in Suburbs has fast become popular with many interested in the South Caucasus and posts have even been republished by the media in her native Azerbaijan. Today, Global Voices Online interviewed Scary Azeri about blogging, tweeting, cultural clashes, trolls and more.

Jordan: Why was Marwa killed?

Jordanian Naseem Tarawnah discusses the recent murder of Egyptian Marwa El-Sherbini, 32, in a courtroom in Germany in front of her three year old son and says: “This case was so mind-baffling when I read it a few days ago and I still haven’t been able to wrap my mind...

Kenya: Kenya against Ireland in Intercontinental Cup

  6 July 2009

Kenya Cricket writes about Kenya's Intercontinental Cup match against Ireland: “Ireland yesterday (Sun) seized six points through a first innings lead of 73 after Kenya's last four wickets added 92 to their Saturday overnight score of 239 for 6, thereby avoiding the follow-on. Vice-captain Jimmy Kamande batted sensibly to make...

Egyptian woman killed in German court for being veiled

Egyptian bloggers join forces to decry the murder of a veiled Egyptian woman in a German court. Marwa El Sherbini, 32, who was pregnant at the time of her murder was stabbed to death 18 times by the man she had sued for insulting her for wearing the Hijab (Islamic headscarf) after judges ruled in her favour. Here is a round up of reactions from Egypt.