Stories from 24 March 2012
Russia: Moscow's Modern Muslim Experience – In Context
Moscow's growing Muslim population exemplifies the modern experience of Russia's ethnic and religious minorities amid the backdrop of historical events that have molded the Russian perception of outsiders and thus influence modern societal and governmental policies towards them.
Pakistan: Using Social Networking Sites To Incite Violence
Tufail Ahmad at Pak Tea House posts an investigative story on how Pakistani terrorist group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi is inciting violence against Shi'ite Muslims and spreading antisemitism using Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and other Internet tools.
India: How Many Lives More To Ignite A Movement?
Rita Banerji makes a strong case of negligence of the civil society of India in addressing the violence against the girl child and the obsession with male progeny and masculine lineage.
India: Renewing the Pledge Against Tuberculosis on World TB Day
In India, where TB is one of the biggest health challenges, the World Tuberculosis (TB) Day was observed in various parts of the country. A nationwide communication campaign has recently been launched in India, giving her a new superhero, Bulgam Bhai, to help fight the TB battle.
Puerto Rico: “My Favorite Bars”
The music blog Mala Vida Buena Música [es] (Bad Life, Good Music) explains why La Respuesta in Santurce, a neighborhood in the capital city of San Juan, is one of their favorite bars in the island.
Cuba: “Incubation”
The digital magazine 80 Grados presents the video of photographer Guillaume Le Berre's voyage to Cuba titled “Incubation”: “At the beginning there was a trip. I wanted to see Cuba before the country changes, and tell this experience with pictures. I left only 15 days. But I’m the one who has been changed.”
Zambia: President Angers Citizens in Diaspora
Zambia’s President Michael Sata has invited the ire of citizens living abroad for ridiculing them during a three day visit to neighbouring Botswana and also dashing their hopes for inclusion of dual citizenship into the new Zambian constitution.
Jordan: One Year On, Tensions Building Up
It's March 24th, 2012 - a year after the weekend that shocked Jordan domestically, further exacerbating a lethargic reform effort. It is the anniversary of the weekend when a diverse group of Jordanians took to the streets of Amman with the intent of open peaceful protest and were met with a counter group that called itself 'Home Calling' (Nidaa Watan).
Saudi Arabia: Qatif Protest to Demand “Rights”
Revolution2East posts on YouTube this video from a protest in Qatif, Saudi Arabia, in which protesters, who include women, chant that they will not give up on demanding their rights.
United States: “I am Trayvon Martin”
The indignation of American citizens and Internet users around the world over the murder of Martin Trayvon Florida continues to grow. This young black man was shot at the exit of a store by a security guard of the city of Sanford. For many it is a racist murder, and the law "Stand your ground" (Defend yourself), that legitimate self-defense in Florida, must be challenged.
Belarus: “15+2=17″ – Bloggers React to Executions of Kanavalau and Kavalyou
At TOL's East of Center, Jeremy Druker and Anna Shamanska review and translate some of the reactions from the Belarusian blogosphere to last week's executions of the two young men convicted for the 2011 Minsk subway bombing: “Many Belarussian users on [… Vkontakte …] used pictures of Kavalyou and Kanavalau...
Bangladesh: Court Orders Shutting Down of Facebook Pages for Blasphemous Contents
On 21 March a Bangladesh court ordered concerned authorities to shut down five Facebook pages and a website for blaspheming the Prophet Mohammed, the Koran and other religious subjects. Netizens fear whether this ruling, if imposed, will be used as a precedence to curb freedom of speech in the future.
Cambodia: The First BarCamp Angkor
Since 2008, BarCamps in Cambodia have been organized in Phnom Penh. But this year's BarCamp will take place in the provincial town of Siem Reap, the gateway to the world-famous Angkor temple complex.
This Week in the Caribbean Blogosphere
Activity in the Caribbean blogosphere this week has been predominantly coming from Cuba and its diaspora, as the country prepares for the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI amidst frustration about the human rights situation on the island and dissatisfaction over the pontiff declining to meet members of the Cuban opposition during his stay.
