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.
Latest posts by Lydia Beyoud
Moroccan Student in Lebanon Chronicles Life in the Middle of Political Crisis
Manal, a Moroccan student at the American University of Beirut, blogs firsthand accounts of life in the middle of Lebanon's political crisis.
Morocco: Rage and sadness at this weekend's Casablanca factory fires
This weekend saw two deadly fires, one in a mattress and another in a textile factory, break out in Morocco's economic capital, Casablanca. Dozens of people died from asphyxia after being locked into their workplace by employers. The Moroccan blogosphere responds with questions and expressions of anger and sadness.
Maghreb netizens respond to 8 year-old Yemeni girl's petition for divorce
Tunisian blogger Stupeur!! Un nouveu depart!! (Stupor!! A New Beginning!!) responds to a Yemen Times article about an 8 year-old girl who is trying to file for divorce from a 30 year-old man she says her father forced her to marry.
Morocco: Hands off my Muezzin!
Robin des Blogs received over a dozen comments on his post about a minister in the Moroccan government who has asked muezzins in mosques adjoining tourist areas not to do the call to prayer.
Prison Break, Moroccan Style
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.
Moroccans Celebrate Eid el Mawlid en-Nabaoui, the Prophet's Birthday
Eid el Mawlid en-Nabaoui, or the Celebration of the Prophet Muhammed's Birth took place yesterday in Morocco and throughout much of the Sunni Muslim world. It's an official holiday in Morocco, celebrated with street processions and other festivities.
Moroccan Blogosphere on Fouad Mourtada: Finally Free
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
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
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.
Morocco's coach sacked after Africa Cup loss
Moroccan national football team's coach, Henri Michel, was sacked following Morocco's poor performance in the African Nations Cup: unfair, francophone bloggers say.
Francophone Morocco Roundup: Algeria's response to the UN, anti-French sentiment and more
This week in the Moroccan blogosphere, Algeria fails in its duties, anti-French sentiment still strong in Morocco, DJ Awards and rose petals galore.
Francophone Morocco on Eid Mubarak Said
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
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.
