After a childhood in thriving metropolitan Saudi Arabia, I moved to my native Jordan in 2003 to pursue a degree in Fine Arts and Design.
I have a long-term fascination with how art and culture shape and sometimes even control public perceptions and mentalities. Art has a critical role in producing culture, both in the past and today, and I spend countless hours trying to increase art appreciation in a culture that devalues the fine arts. I also love observing trends related to globalization in the local culture.
My personal blog can be accessed at http://andfaraway.net.
Latest posts by Roba Al Assi
From the Jordanian Blogosphere
A lot has happened in the past week or so that has gotten a lot of reactions from the Jordanian blogosphere- Al-Qaeda prisoners riot in Jordanian jails and other Al-Qaeda...
From the Jordanian Blogosphere
The Jordanian bloggers are angry over the attack on Islamic, particularly Shi'aa, monument the Askariya Shrine, some of them are comparing the unneeded reactions from Muslims towards the Danish cartoon...
From the Jordanian Blogosphere
“No Comment” caricature by Wael Attili The Jordanian blogosphere is discussing more traditional aspects relating to our culture and language this week. Khalidah writes about Jordanian traditions when it comes...
From the Jordanian Blogosphere
The Jordanian blogosphere has a lot to say on the Jordanian constitution this week. Naseem Tarawneh writes about the 200 temporary laws and the Jordanian Constitution created between 1999 and...
The Jordanian Blogosphere Reacts to the Danish Cartoons
Like a lot of the blogosphere, the topic that has been taking over Jordanian blogs in the past two weeks is the infamous Danish cartoons: Ameen Malhas of Banzeen says,...
From the Jordanian Blogosphere
Jordan: Exempting US citizens from extradition and trial One of the issues in the Jordanian blogosphere is the Jordanian parliament's decision to ratify a bilateral agreement between Jordan and the...
From the Jordanian Blogosphere
“Jordanian Director, Amin Matalqa displays his martial art skills on the top of a building in downtown Amman, Jordan” by Laith Majali A new year is here, so first off,...
From the Jordanian Blogosphere
Some interesting and controversial social topics are being discussed in the Jordanian blogosphere this week. Freedom of Speech Freedom of speech is not a given commodity in the Arab world,...
From the Jordanian Blogosphere
“Jordan Planet's first North American Meet-up” by Jameed “November Jordanian Blogger Meet-up” by Roba Al-Assi As an interesting forty percent of Jordanian bloggers don't reside in Jordan, meet-ups are occurring...
From the Jordanian Blogosphere
Jordan: A New Government in the Making The newly appointed Prime Minster has been announced, being Marouf Bakhit. Naseem Tarawneh thinks that this might help the path to reform. Khalaf...
From the Jordanian Blogosphere
“Candle Light Vigil in Amman” by Isam Bayazidi Amongst anger, grief, the detaining of the female accomplice, demonstrations all around the world, new claims released by Al-Qaeda, the week after...
Jordanian Bloggers React to Amman Bombings
Child carrying sign that says “No to Terrorism, down with terrorism and Zarqawi” by Lina Ejeilat from the Amman Demonstrations Flickr Set. The Jordanian community is in a state of...
Explosions Rock Jordanian Capital, Amman
Three explosions hit Jordanian capital Amman Wednesday night; one in Radisson SAS, the second in Hyatt Amman, and the third in Days Inn. For more on the explosions occuring in...
From the Jordanian Blogosphere
Jordanian Bedouin posing in one of Jordan's vast deserts by Laith Majali With the occasion of Eid, a holiday celebrated bi-annually by over a billion Muslims, the Jordanian Blogosphere wishes...
From the Jordanian Blogosphere
Photography taken in the National Music Conservatory in Amman, Jordan. “Girl Playing the Flute” by Sabri Hakim This week marked two celebrations- Jordan's Al-Faisali brought home the first-ever Asian trophy...
From the Jordanian Blogosphere
“The Candy Man” by Roba Assi With Saddam Hussein's trial and the finding of the Melhis report, political sentiments are running high in the Jordanian blogosphere. In regards to the uncovering...
From the Jordanian Blogosphere
The Jordanian blogsphere sends its condolences and is praying for the victims and the families of victims of the devastating earthquake that occurred in Pakistan. Jordanian blogging portal Jordan Planet...
From the Jordanian Blogosphere
This week marks the first week of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, a month that evoked varied feelings among the Jordanian blogosphere, a good sign that it is indeed...
From the Jordanian Blogosphere
The hottest topic this week on the Jordanian blogosphere is regarding the lack of political blogs on portal Jordan Planet. Firas of IHeartAmman claims that “You know something is wrong...
From the Jordanian Blogosphere
On International Affairs: With the Israeli withdrawal, there is a lot to say in the Jordanian blogosphere about Palestine, both in relation to the withdrawal and otherwise. Biesan describes the...
From the Jordanian Blogosphere
On International Affairs: On the Jordanian blogging front, talk related to Katarina can still be heard. Jameed mentions an opinion that suggests that the focus on looting by “violent gangs”...