Amira Al Hussaini · February, 2009

Latest posts by Amira Al Hussaini from February, 2009

Israel: Dubai Denies Shahar Visa

  23 February 2009

Dubai has denied Israeli female tennis star Shahar Peer a visa to play in the Dubai Tennis Championships, while her male colleague Andy Ram, was able to receive one. “There might have been some logic as to why Ms. Peer was not allowed to play, at least in some circles,...

Iraq: Rumours and Conspiracy Theories

  21 February 2009

Iraqi Pundit discusses the impact of rumours and conspiracy theories on his country, and the Middle East at large. “Rumours have traditionally done a great deal of damage in the Middle East, and Iraq was never spared from this exercise,” he notes.

Iraq: The Walk to Karbala

  21 February 2009

Laith walks for 67 miles from Baghdad to Karbala to mark the 40th day anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, grandson of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), who was killed in the Battle of Karbala in 680. “The journey of Karbala approved that Iraqis can be only one nation although some...

Iraq: The Irony in Al Zaidi's Shoe Throwing

  21 February 2009

Iraqi Pundit discusses the case of Muntadhar Al Zaidi, the journalist who threw a shoe at President George W Bush, during his visit to Iraq late last year. “I have said before that I understand that he released the frustration of countless Iraqis, and I get why Iraqis and non-Iraqis...

Arab World: Mourning Tayeb Salih

  21 February 2009

The Arab literary world is mourning the death of Sudanese novelist Al Tayeb Salih. The 80-year-old writer, who died in London, was best known for his novel Season of Migration to the North, which was selected by the Damascus-based Arab Literary Academy as the most important Arab novel of the 20th century. Al Tayeb was buried in Om Durman, Sudan, in a state ceremony, attended by the Sudanese president Omar Al Bashir.

Egypt: Comedy Channels Disgraceful

  20 February 2009

“It is really a very good gesture to have a dedicated channel to air nothing but comic shows all the time and transfer some cheerful vibes. That being said I have to say that most of the material aired is extremely disappointing, and goes beyond disgraceful sometimes,” writes Nermeena, from...

Algeria: Elections Forecast

  20 February 2009

“The April elections in Algeria will lead almost certainly to one result: The re-election of Abdelaziz Bouteflika. While some hailed the 2004 elections as either a step forward or a step backward for democracy and/or stability, the 2009 elections will more resemble the 1999 elections,” notes The Moor Next Door.