Latest posts by Mona Kareem
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.
Tunisia: Let's Invade Social Networks!
A crazy wave of posts hit the world of social networks when Tunisian netizens decided to invade Facebook and Twitter with their comments. First came the official Facebook page of US President Barack Obama. Soon other world leaders got a taste of this spam-attack.
Saudi Arabia: Poverty Video Vloggers Released
Around two weeks ago, Saudi Arabian authorities arrested three young video bloggers Firas Buqna, Hussam Al-Darwish and Khaled Al-Rasheed for producing an episode of their show Malub Alena about poverty in one of Riyadh's areas. They have just been released.
Bahrain: Muharraq United Against Sectarianism
Muharraq, Bahrain, witnessed some tension two nights ago when Sunnis faced off with Shia residents, who were commemorating a religious ritual. Here is some of the coverage on Twitter following the incident.
Saudi Arabia: Prince Naif is Coming
Saudi Arabia has appointed its Interior Minister Naif Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud as the Kingdom's new crown prince. The news has been received with fear and caution by netizens, who say human rights and freedom will reach a new low as a result.
Bahrain: Teen Protester Shot Dead
Protests erupted in Bahrain this weekend as angry mourners buried 16-year-old Ahmed Al-Qattan, who was allegedly 'killed by birdshot' according to the Ministry of Interior Affairs. Netizens dispute this - Mona Kareem reports.
Bahrain: Dr Ghassan Dhaif Tweets His Jail Experience
A Bahraini doctor is one of 20 sentenced doctors who have taken to Twitter to tell the world their story with imprisonment, torture and harassment in their own words. Mona Kareem brings us the story of Dr Ghassan Dhaif, sentenced to 15 years in prison, in this post. Bahrain has now ordered their re-trial in a civilian court.
Bahrain: 15 Year Jail Sentences for Medics Who Treated Protesters
Bahrain has sentenced several doctors to 5-15 years in prison, accusing them of a range of crimes including stockpiling weapons at the country's main hospital - charges the doctors and international organisations say are fabricated.
UAE: Five Activists on Trial for “Insulting” President
Five activists from the UAE, including bloggers, are on trial for publicly "insulting" the country's president and top officials. The activists, who are in jail where they have allegedly been abused, refused to attend the hearing.
Kuwait: After Three Months in Prison, Court Releases Twitter User
Kuwaiti Twitter user Nasser Abul has been released from prison after serving three months for insulting the Bahraini and Saudi regimes. Netizens react after his release.
Bahrain: Protests on Election Eve
Protesters in Bahrain tried returning to Pearl Square, the centre of massive protests against the regime in February, on the eve of election night. Over two days, the unarmed protesters were pushed back to villages, where security forces continued to battle them until the early hours of this morning.
Saudi Arabia: Human Rights Activist on Trial
Saudi human rights activist Waleed Abu Alkhair has faced the national court in Jeddah for “insulting the judiciary”. Saudi tweeps discussed his case on Twitter to show support and criticize the way authorities function against activists.
Bahrain: Medical Staff Released After Hunger Strike
Bahrain yesterday released doctors and medical personnel who have been behind bars since March 2011, after increased international condemnation and a series of hunger strikes by supporters inside and outside the country. Mona Kareem reports.
Saudi Arabia: A Special Twitter Hashtag for the King!
A Saudi hashtag entitled #tal3mrak which literary translates into “May god prolong your life” or “your majesty” if translated into a Western context, took Twitter by storm today. The hashtag came as a surprise to those who never thought Saudi netizens would have the courage to address their authorities via social media.
Libya: Gaddafi's Right Hand Abdessalem Jalloud Flees to Italy
Libya's former number two, Abdessalem Jalloud, has left the country to Italy on a Maltese plane via Tunisia, a Tunisian senior government official has confirmed. Many people see Jalloud's defection as an indication as to the imminent end of Gaddafi's rule.
Bahrain: Liliane Khalil, Another Blog Hoax or Propaganda?
On 2 August 2011, British blogger and PhD Student, Marc Owen Jones wrote a post about his investigation into the identity of an alleged Arab-American Journalist named Liliane Khalil. Jones traced back all the social media accounts of this persona, only to discover that most of what she had written about herself turned out to be false.
Kuwait: Bidun fly “Freedom Balloons”
A month ago, the stateless community of Kuwait started a 3 day-long campaign of “flipping your twitter avatar” to catch the media's attention and highlight their cause for the world. This Friday, they've made another campaign to set balloons in the air, calling them “freedom balloons". Mona Kareem shares the story.
Saudi Arabia: New Anti-Terror Law Crushes Protests
Amnesty International's leaked draft of the new Saudi anti-terror law has prompted a strong reaction to the proposed legislation. Twitter users are using the hashtag #SaudiTerrorLaw to voice their opinions.
