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 November, 2011
Egypt: The Revolution is Back!
Up to 100,000 people are said to be in Tahrir Square now, as police and the army continue to battle with protesters calling for an end to Egypt's military rule. Protesters have had running battles with the armed gunmen serving the Egyptian government since Friday.
Egypt: Revolutionaries Shrug at Cabinet Resignation
The Cabinet of Dr Essam Sharaf has just asked if it could resign and the Supreme Council for Armed Forces (SCAF) is yet to decide whether it would accept their resignation or not. For activists and protesters battling police and the army for the third day in and around Tahrir Square, the news does not bring anything new to the table. Their main demand is for SCAF to leave power and hand over authority to a civil government.
Egypt: Battle for Tahrir Continues for Third Day
The battle for Tahrir Square, in downtown Cairo, continues to rage for the third day today. Netizens keep us abreast with the action from the frontlines.
Egypt: Ultras Push Police Back as the Battle for Tahrir Continues
Police and protesters spent a day battling over Tahrir Square, the epicentre of the Egyptian revolution. A few minutes ago thousands of football fans, known as ultras, descended upon the square pushing back the police. Here are reactions from Twitter.
Morocco: Call to Free Rapper Haked
In Morocco, a call has gone out for netizens to join in a campaign to free jailed rapper Haked. Mamfakinch tweets: “Help free Moroccan democracy activist & rapper Mouad Haked. Take pic of yourself w/ sign reading #FreeHaked. Send it to FREEMOUAD@GMAIL.COM.” Mamfakinch posts more details on his case here.
Syria: Reports of Slow Internet
On Twitter, Syrian blogger Anas reports [ar]: “The Internet has been unbeliveably slow for a few days in Syria. I think it is something done on purpose and not just a technical issue.”
Arab World: Is the NYPD “Pulling a Mubarak?”
Arab netizens are watching with awe news of New York police forcefully evicting Occupy Wall Street protesters at Zuccotti Park in New York. Some say they are "pulling a Mubarak" in reference to the brutal manner in which Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak dealt with protesters who ousted him in the Egyptian revolution.
Egypt: Plight of Bloggers Continues at Military Courts
A military court today decided to jail blogger Alaa Abd El Fattah for another 15 days, 15 days after first detaining him, pending investigations on what defenders say are trumped up charges. Blogger Maikel Nabil Sanad's trial was also once again postponed until November 27.
Egypt: Why Free Blogger Alaa Abd El Fattah?
A military court judge will decide today whether Alaa Abd El Fattah will be released or will spend another 15 days behind bars, pending investigations on what defenders say are trumped up charges. On Twitter, supporters have been rallying for his freedom under the hashtag #WhyFreeAlaa . Here is a selection of some of the tweets under this hashtag.
Egypt: Free Speech on Military Trial in Post-Revolution Egypt
Bloggers and freedom of speech and human rights defenders are holding their breath as Egypt's military courts decide the fate of two bloggers today.
Egypt: Police Attack Aswan Protesters Angry Over Killing of Fisherman
Egyptian Salma Said reports on Twitter: “Egyptian police attacked people in #aswan who gathered in front of a police station to protest the killing of a fisherman yesterday by police.”
UAE: Telecom Regulator in Talks on Banning iPhone Messaging Features
From the UAE, Tom Gara tweets: “Interesting to see UAE telco[m] regulator in talks on banning messaging features on new iPhone. To protect consumers, of course.”
Syria: Arab League Suspends Syria's Membership
The Arab League slapped Syria on the wrist today for killing more than 3,000 of its citizens by suspending its membership from the pan-Arab group, starting on Wednesday. Netizens react to the League's decision.
Egypt: Global Online Protest Against Military Planned Today
A global online protest is being held today to protest against the unjust imprisonment of thousands of Egyptians since the beginning of the Egyptian revolution. Click here for more details.
Palestine: Israeli Commandos Intercept Gaza-bound Flotilla and Arrest Activists
Israeli soldiers boarded two ships heading to Gaza earlier today. The Canadian ship Tahrir (Liberation) and Irish Saoirse (Freedom) were en route to Gaza in an attempt to break the Israeli siege on it.
Palestine: New Flotilla en Route to Break Gaza Siege
A flotilla made up of a Canadian and an Irish ship is en route to Palestine, to break the siege on Gaza, it emerged today. The covert operation was under wraps and was just announced. On Twitter, the news is being circulated under the hashtag #Freedomwaves.
Egypt: Salafis Cover Up Alexandria Mermaid Statue
Salafis covered up a mermaid statue in Alexandria, Egypt, drawing ridicule and criticism from netizens. Here are some reactions from Twitter.
Egypt: Blogger Maikel Nabil Military Trial Postponed
Egyptian blogger Maikel Nabil Sanad, who has so far spent 216 days in prison and 71 days on hunger strike, today refused to stand trial in a military court. Sanad was sentenced in April to three years in prison for posts he published on his blog.
Qatar: 2013 Parliamentary Election Date Announced
Qatar today announced it will hold parliamentary elections in the second half of 2013. The announcement was made by the Qatari Emir Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and welcomed by netizens, who hope that Qatar's support for the Arab revolutions is shaping a new tomorrow for Qataris.
