Stories from 17 October 2005
Africa: white writers
Diary of a Mad Kenyan Woman, discusses the issue of the contribution of “white” writers in African literary history and the arbitrary changing of people´s social categories in order to fit in to the category of “white”. Since when was Franz Fanon “white” ? “he would be twirling like a...
Iraq: Baghdad's Ancient Battery
A Free Writer says that while excavating ruins of a 2000-year-old village near Baghdad, workers discovered mysterious small vase. German archaeologist ,Wilhelm Konig, examined the object and came to a surprising conclusion that the clay pot was nothing less than an ancient electric battery.
Iraq: Saddam never gassed his own people
A Family From Mosul writes: A much-discussed article in The New Yorker last March did not make reference to the Defense Intelligence Agency report or consider that Iranian gas might have killed the Kurds. On the rare occasions the report is brought up, there is usually speculation, with no proof,...
Iran: What if Tehran shakes like that?
Mr.Behi writes that after each Earthquake inside or outside Iran, People of Tehran get shaken and alarms about the earthquake that our city has been waiting for, start to flash. Tehran is not at all prepared for such a shake. It is very populated, has many historical and thus old...
Egypt: Alexandria on Sectarian Fire
The Big Pharaoh says that around 3000 Muslim protesters surrounded a church in Alexandria to protest a church play that they deemed as “offensive to Islam.” Police cordoned off the building to protect it from the angry crowd.
Saudi Arabia: First Interview with Saudi King Abdullah
Issandr El Amrani says that he found nothing remarkable about King Abdullah first TV interview as king to the American channel ABC. The transcript is here. However, Issandr finds that Iran part is interesting.
Bahrain Film Festival 2005
From Mahmood's Blog: The Bahrain Cinema Club in Association with Al-Ayam 13th Cultural Festival cordially invite you to the opening of Bahrain Film Days at 9pm on October 18th at the International Exhibition Centre where the film “The Confession” will be screened by Bahraini director Bassam Al-Thawadi.
Anti-terror TV During Ramadan
Sabbah says that terrorism is the dominating theme in two major soap operas series during Ramadan this year and aired through Arab television venues, like the Middle East Broadcasting Company (MBC), Syria, Jordan, and Abu Dhabi television stations.
Algeria: AU Conference on Gender
Nouri bin Khalid agrees that women in Africa need to be more aggressive in their efforts to face up to the various challenges, but he do think that the men should do their part to help women get ahead too.
Miriam Makeba: Africa’s best loved diva farewell tour
In a career spanning over 40 years, Miriam Makeba, still regal at 73, is marking the end of her performing years with a 14-month farewell tour she says to thank the people in the countries where she has performed. Miriam Makeba or Mama Africa as she is fondly known is...
Qatar: Garangao
Mohammed says that Garangao (aka Gergea'an), celebrated on the 14th day of Ramadan (which falls on the 17 October 2005), is special to the Gulf region and is believed to have its roots in the pearl-diving tradition of the region. This evening, children, clad in their traditional clothes, will come...
From the Palestinian Blogsphere
Palestine Blogs stresses the similarities between the Apartheid Wall in South Africa and the Israeli Apartheid Wall in Palestine in the ethnic nature and colonial agenda. Mohammed Abed further adds that the withdrawal from new homelands in Palestine is also similar to what happened in South Africa. Mohammed urges for...
