Stories from 6 October 2007
Bahrain: Divided By Dialect
In Bahrain this week: the disappearing sea, culture shock in the UK, Ramadan drama serials, a diagnosis of leukaemia - and speaking 'Shia'!
Costa Rica: Voting Yes
On the eve of the nationwide referendum to determine the fate of the Free-Trade Agreement in Costa, the News Star's [ES] Roy Rojas writes why he will vote “Yes.”
Iran:Stand Against Women Stoned to Death
Ali Eteraz says here is a call for action to do our small part in coming to the assistance of the women in Iran who have been sentenced to death by stoning.
Iran:Dilbert cartoon creator Scott Adams on Ahmadinejad
Peoples Geography has published “a great satirical piece by Dilbert cartoonist Scott Adams on Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.”
Iran:Asefi,jailed blogger and journalist is free
According to[Fa] Schrr blog,Soheil Asefi, blogger and journalist who had been in jail since August 2007, is out of prison now. He used to work with Rooz online journal.
Jordan in Pictures
Jordanian blogger Ebrahim Owais posts images of Jordan in this post.
Palestine: Family Guy ‘Anti-Semitic’
TV show Family Guy has been sued for being anti-semitic, writes Palestinian blogger Haitham Sabbah here.
Egypt: Drug Epidemic?
“The concept of a drug epidemic in Egypt might be news to you but its been floating around for a while now. Egypt's National Council for Fighting and Treating Addiction released a study reporting 8.5% of Egypts population or 6 million people are addicted to drugs,” writes DB Shobrawy in...
Egypt: October War
Zeinobia from Egypt gives us the Egyptian perspective of the October 1973 war with Israel here.
Egypt: What is that Smell?
Egyptian blogger D B Shobrawy got more than he bargained for when he traveled to the suburb of LA Ontario in California, US.
Egypt: Peace with Israel?
“It's been about 30 years now since Egypt and Israel signed their famous historic peace treaty, but, from a normal friendship aspect, did any kind of real change happen in the everyday relations between the two countries?” asks The Egypt Blog.
Japan: Sumo Wrestling Takes a Beating
It’s been a tough few months in the world of Sumo wrestling, Japan’s “national sport.” First, Mongolian wrestler Asashoryu, one of two yokozuna (the top wrestling class) returned to his homeland to undergo treatment for a mental disorder brought on by criticism that he shirked his duties, pretending to be...
Jordan: Wasted Food
“Have you noticed that we, Jordanians, tend to throw a lot of food in the trash? We fill our dishes with plenty of food that ends up thrown away?…This was just a quick observation…. in a nation where more people are getting hungry,” observes Jordanian blogger Hareega.
Iraq: Any Happy Pictures?
“How come whenever we search for pictures about Iraq or anything related to it all what we see are the pictures of death and blood? Where did the beautiful and happy pictures go? Or are they any?!” asks Iraqi blogger Morbid Smile.
Iraq: Speaking Tour
Iraqi blogger Raed Jarrar writes about his speaking tour in the US and links to a video.
Mideast Youth: Trial of War Criminals
Mideast Youth has launched a petition on accountability and the trial of war criminals – sparking a debate among readers about it.
Jordan: Wasta Sex
I’ve been wondering lately which sex in Jordan uses wasta (nepotism) more. Females or males? And I’m talking about the instigators and not just the pawns, writes Naseem Al Tarawnah from Jordan.
Morocco: Illegal Immigrants Sent Home
Morocco, under pressure from Europe to crack down on illegal migration, has begun repatriating 345 Senegalese and Gambians it caught trying to reach Spain's Canary Islands, reports Moroccan blogger Saad.
Bahrain: Dreaming Prepositions
Bint Battuta in Bahrain, a translator by profession, is now dreaming prepositions.
Algeria: Why are Syria and Iran close?
Algerian blogger Nouri draws attention to multi-billion industrial relations between Syria and Iran – two countries under the US blockade.
Egypt: Fifi Abdou for President
The Arabist notes a ‘funny quote’ in a story about succession in Egypt – in which an army general says the army wont contest even if Fifi Abdou, a famous Egyptian belly dancer, was appointed as President.
