Amira Al Hussaini · June, 2011

Latest posts by Amira Al Hussaini from June, 2011

Palestine: Two Boats Sabotaged as Flotilla Floats Onwards

The Freedom Flotilla 2 to Gaza will be missing an Irish ship, it emerged today. The MV Saoirse has been reportedly sabotaged while at berth in the Turkish coastal town of Göcek and will now not be able to take part in the flotilla, aimed at breaking the Israeli blockade on Gaza and presenting humanitarian aid to the Palestinians.

30 June 2011

Egypt: Khaled Saeed Murder Trial Postponed

Khaled Saeed, a young man from Alexandria allegedly killed at the hands of policemen in June, has been an icon of the Egyptian revolution. His murder fueled discontent among young Egyptians in the weeks leading to the revolution after images of his battered body went viral. The policemen accused of killing him stood trial today. Following are some reactions following the postponement of the case until September 24.

30 June 2011

Egypt: The Battle of Tahrir Rages

Mayhem broke out at Tahrir Square, the epicenter of the Egyptian revolution, last night and spilled into today. Various accounts are circulating online on what really happened and how events escalated, all involving the families of the martyrs killed during the protests - and their call for justice, protesters, thugs and battles with the police. Reports speak of police firing tear gas at protesters, and protesters (or thugs) responding with stones and Molotov cocktails - not necessarily in this order.

29 June 2011

Syria: Protests Break Out Following Assad Speech

Syrian president Bashar Al Assad gave a speech today outlining reform plans, which include forming a committee to form a committee to study reforms and the need for national dialogue. On Twitter, reactions continued to flow as Assad spoke. Assad's promises were met with more protests across the country, calling for him to leave power.

20 June 2011

Saudi Arabia: Women Behind the Wheel

Several Saudi women took the wheel yesterday to break the siege on driving in Saudi Arabia, where women are banned from driving cars. The campaign to drive was announced on Facebook, and fueled by conversations on other social media platforms, such as micro-blogging site Twitter. Laila Sindi, from Jeddah, shares her experience in a series of tweets.

18 June 2011

Bahrain: Lost and Disgusted

Bahraini Mahmood Al Yousif blogs: “Reason, it appears, has disappeared. The benefit of the doubt has no place. Will a dialogue ameliorate these feelings? Will it put the country back...

15 June 2011

Palestine: Call to Free Khaled Zawahre

Occupied Palestine shares the plight of Khaled Zawahre, who is detained in Ofer prison, allegedly for beating up an Israeli soldier and throwing rocks. Occupied Palestine maintains Khaled's innocence and...

14 June 2011

Syria: Lesbian Blogger Amina is a Married American Man

Blogger The Gay Girl in Damascus turned out to be a straight married American man, who seems to have no issue in taking the world on a wild goose chase after claiming that Amina Arraf was kidnapped by Syrian authorities in Damascus a week ago. Netizens react to the confession.

13 June 2011

Yemen: Reasons Saleh is Late!

Tweeps are having fun with the hashtag #ReasonsSalehIsLate while waiting for a speech by Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh, following reports that he may have been injured when the Presidential Palace in Sanaa was attacked earlier today.

3 June 2011

Syria: Protesting for the Future of Children

Syria's youngest victims are speaking out in a series of heart wrenching videos which are surfacing on YouTube, detailing the horrors they and their family members have faced in days and nights of their country's revolution against Bashar Al Assad's regime. Today's Friday protests are dedicated to Syrian children and their future.

3 June 2011

Yemen: Confusion in Sanaa Amid Conflicting News on Saleh

The Yemeni capital Sanaa plunged into chaos this afternoon, with conflicting reports circulating about Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh. While some reports say he had fled the presidential palace in Sanaa, others are reporting that he was injured in clashes. Some even went to announce his death.

3 June 2011

Syria: Reports of Internet Blackout

Reports are continuing to pour in on Twitter of a possible Internet blackout in Syria today, as Syrians continue to protest against the Al Assad regime and atrocities committed against Syrians. This Friday's protests are to condemn the attacks on Syrian children. While some report a total Internet shutdown, others note that the Internet is out in some places.

3 June 2011