Lydia Beyoud

Lydia is a telecommunications journalist in Washington, D.C. She received her B.A. in International Studies at Portland State University and a Master's in Broadcast and Multimedia Journalism from American University.

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Latest posts by Lydia Beyoud

Prison Break, Moroccan Style

  11 April 2008

On Tuesday morning, 9 inmates and suspected terrorists escaped from a Moroccan jail. Moroccan bloggers used every pun and reference from the American television show, Prison Break, to describe their shock and disbelief.

Moroccan Blogosphere on Fouad Mourtada: Finally Free

  21 March 2008

Young Moroccan engineer Fouad Mourtada was released from prison by presidential pardon days before Eid el Mawlid, the Prophet Muhammad's birthday. Fouad was imprisoned for more than forty days for creating a Facebook profile of the king's brother, Moulay Rachid. Bloggers reflect on the grassroots effort to free Fouad and celebrate his liberation as a step forward for personal freedoms in the Kingdom.

Morocco: Bloggers Rally Behind Fouad Mourtada

  19 February 2008

In Morocco, francophone bloggers rally behind Fouad Mourtada, jailed for posting a Facebook profile that spoofed a member of the Moroccan royal family. Mourtada's arrest reveals the tensions between modern Morocco and Morocco of the Middle Ages, they write, while still holding out hope for an acquittal.

Moroccan bloggers call for education reform

  11 February 2008

When the World Bank recently announced that Middle Eastern and North African nations need to improve their education systems in order to reach their development goals and be competitive in a globalized market, it sent ripples through Morocco's Francophone blogosphere, prompting calls to improve the nation's ailing education system.

Francophone Morocco on Eid Mubarak Said

  28 December 2007

Last week, Morocco celebrated Aid el-Kebir (“Big Eid”), a festival commemorating Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son, Isaac, and God's mercy in sparing him. Family members visit each other over the largest meals they can afford, exchange gifts (often clothing), give alms (zakat, one of the five Pillars of Islam)...

Morocco: Seeing stars in Marrakesh

  23 December 2007

It's been a star-struck week in the French-speaking Moroccan bloggosphere, famous international figures being a primary focus of discussion. Several bloggers wrote about the happenings at the seventh edition of the International Marrakesh Film Festival, most notably on the reception there of American director Martin Scorcese and some famous Egyptian film stars.