Latest posts by Mona Kareem from November, 2011
UAE: Female Twitter User Rowda Hamed Summoned for Interrogation
Female Twitter user Rowda Hamed, from the UAE, tweeted saying that she has been summoned for interrogation. She is one of the few Twitter users from the country who support five detained activists who recently went on hunger strike.
Kuwait: Protesters Storm the National Assembly
Thousands of angry Kuwaitis stormed the National Assembly building on Wednesday 16 November, after police and security forces clashed with protestors. Kuwait's political sphere has been extremely tense in the past few years, and with the Arab Spring earlier this year, the situation took a new turn.
Kuwait: Video Campaign to Teach Citizens about the Constitution
To mark the 49th anniversary of the Kuwaiti constitution, a group of activists decided to remind citizens of the different clauses of the constitution. Under the theme of Tadry [ar] (Did you know?), Sout Al-Kuwait (Voice of Kuwait) produced six videos, each spanning a few seconds, explaining to citizens six select articles from the constitution.
UAE: Detained Activists Begin Hunger Strike
Five activists held in the UAE since April and currently standing trial for publishing material online, using aliases, have started an open-ended hunger strike to draw attention to their plight and the abuse they are receiving in prison. Mona Kareem checks out netizens' reactions to their cause.
Saudi Arabia: Outrage Over 10 Lashes for Female Driver
Shaima Jastaniya, a Saudi woman who was arrested after driving her car in Jeddah six months ago, has been sentenced to 10 lashes. The two female journalists who reported her punishment have been summoned to appear in court.
Egypt: Homosexuals to Occupy Tahrir on January 1
Egypt's homosexuals have joined forces and intend to march in Tahrir Square on January 1 to demand their full rights in society. The announcement came in a Facebook group which called for the protest. Mona Kareem sums up netizen reactions to the initiative.
Bahrain: Are Police Cars Running Over Protesters on Purpose?
Bahrain has long maintained that it was dealing with unrest according to international law. Netizens have, however, been working around the clock to document human rights abuses committed by the authorities and posting them online for the world to see. In this post, Mona Kareem checks out videos posted online to show attempts by the police to run over protesters. Are police cars running over protesters on purpose?
Bahrain: Reports of Military Personnel Tortured, Imprisoned, and Killed by Regime
Bahraini Twitter users joined hands to draw attention to the cases of scores of military personnel - soldiers and policemen - detained, tortured and said to be killed by the regime, since pro-democracy protests started in the country on February 14. Here is a collection of tweets which tell us more about their cases.
Tunisia: Netizens Turn to Facebook to Criticise Islamists
The question of the power of Islamic movements has become a hot topic since the so called Arab Spring started in Tunisia last December. Mona Kareem takes a look at how Tunisian netizens are turning to Facebook to criticise and mock this movement and draw support to Tunisia's secular way of life.
Kuwait: Twitter Users Arrested then Released for “Insulting” Amir
Kuwaiti Twitter users Hamad AlOlayan and Tariq Al-mutairi were arrested and then charged with insulting the country's ruler on the social networking site. They have since been released but the investigation against them continues. Here are reactions to their arrest.
Egypt: Men Should Wear the Veil!
With Islamists rising in post-revolution Egypt, fear of religious oppression is growing among youth, minorities, and women. A new Facebook group encouraging men to wear Hijab or veils, in solidarity with women has just popped up. Here are some reactions to the initiative from Egyptian and Tunisian netizens.