Latest posts by Ayesha Saldanha from September, 2009
Saudi Arabia: KAUST To Inspire Scientific Achievement – And More?
On September 23 the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology was inaugurated. It is a graduate-level research university, and the first coeducational university in the country. In this post we hear reactions to the inauguration of KAUST by bloggers in Saudi Arabia, including some KAUST students.
Lebanon: “We’re Here, We’re Queer, We’re Online”
Bekhsoos is a newly relaunched online magazine "covering topics related to (homo)sexuality in the Arab world". It was founded by the Lebanese group Meem, a support community for lesbians, bisexuals, queers, questioning women, and transgender persons.
Bahrain: Remembering 9/11
American Vernishia Renee, who is based in Bahrain with the US military, reflects on the anniversary of 9/11: “Today, it’s a new day in Bahrain…they say it’s safe enough for dependents to come back to stay BUT it’s not safe enough to commemorate the events and the fallen from 9/11...
Indian Bloggers Confront Street Harassment
“Eve-teasing” is a term that is used in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh for sexual harassment or molestation in the street. The Blank Noise Project, which was started by an art student six years ago, aims to confront street harassment and change public perceptions of it.
Palestine: The Experience Of Ramadan In Gaza
Bloggers in Gaza write about how people are managing this Ramadan, and describe how traditions are being kept alive.
Israel: An Open Letter To Jane Fonda
Hatim Kanaaneh, blogging at A Doctor in Galilee, writes an open letter to Jane Fonda.
Palestine: A Change Of Language
In Gaza, Abu el Sharif has decided to start blogging in English instead of Arabic: “I really need to be more rude, and talk a little more about the shit we live here, without thinking too much about the results!”
Palestine: Settlers Attack Shepherds
In the West Bank, Samuel Nichols has taken a video of Israeli settlers using a sling to hurl stones at Palestinian shepherds.
Bahrain: We Have Our Own Idiots
Bahraini blogger Flymenian wonders about the use of foreign labour in Bahrain: “I'm not here to say that foreigners are all bad and we do not need them, I'm simply saying instead of importing idiots to fill stupid positions why can't we employ our own idiots; at least they are...
Palestine: A Call From The Prime Minister
Palestinian journalist Daoud Kuttab writes on his blog about receiving a phone call from Prime Minister Salam Fayyad: “In nearly 29 years of my journalist work and the thousands of articles I had written on behalf of Palestine and Palestinian issues, never had any senior Palestinian official ever called me...
Palestine: Encountering Fear
In the United States, Palestinian blogger Laila El Haddad recently spoke to a woman who seemed nervous of her: ‘”Where are you from?” I asked, detecting an East European accent. She hesitated a moment, and blurted out, “From Israel – PLEASE DON’T KILL ME.”‘
Palestine: Trying To Learn In Gaza
In Gaza, Eva Bartlett writes: “Palestinians have an exceedingly high drive to learn and attain higher education. Of course, here in a besieged Strip, with even school materials deemed non-vital by the Israeli overlords, education is a challenge.”
