Former news editor of an English language daily in Bahrain. Journalist. Columnist. Blogger. Educated and raised in Bahrain. Interests include writing, the arts and human rights.
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.
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.
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.
Syria: “It Feels as if Syria is Two Countries – With Two Different Realities”
CNN has officially been granted access to Syria and Arwa Damon is tweeting from Damascus, three months after protests calling for the overthrow of the Assad regime started. Syria has shut its borders to international and Arab media since the unrest. Here are some of Damon's first impressions.
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.
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.
Syria: Crackdown Continues Despite International Outcry
Protests are continuing across Syria, as the Syrian regime shows no signs of loosening its brutal crackdown despite an international outcry. Netizens react on Twitter to the latest developments.
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 on a reconciliatory track? Will we ever think of an inclusive “us” rather than solidify an already created and maintained...
Algeria: No Protests, but Strikes Continue
“While a number of other Arab countries have been indulging in what has come to be known in the press as the ‘Arab Spring’ with various degrees of success, here in Algeria, various factions of the ‘civil society’ (if such an entity indeed exists here) have preferred indulging in strikes,”...
Algeria: Involvement in Politics
MnarviDZ, at Patriots on Fire, shares two stories on the involvement of Algerians in politics.
Egypt: On Iran's Theological Rule
Egyptian An Arab Citizen (Ar) discusses the model of the theological rule in Iran in this post.
Kuwait: Stop Internet Limits
Social Slave from Kuwait discusses limits on internet users in the country and what is being done about it in this post.
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 shares photographs and videos.
Syria: Reactions to the Gay Blogger Who Wasn't
Andy Carvin shares a timeline of stories and reactions to Amina, the Gay Girl in Damascus, that wasn't.
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.
Turkey: Twitter Reactions on Election Day
Turkey held its general elections today for 550 seats in the Grand National Assembly. Following are some of the reactions that are emerging online as the first results are being announced.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Egypt: More Information on Jailed Blogger Mikel Nabil Needed
Caledoniyya complains there isn't much information about Mikel Nabil – an Egyptian blogger sentenced to three years in prison for insulting the Armed forces. “With so many bloggers being persecuted by the regimes for broaching crucial issues; in Nabil's case, the Egyptian military; it can be a challenge to keep...
