Stories about Middle East & North Africa from December, 2007
Arabeyes: Sad for Bhutto
News of the murder of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was received with shock across the Middle East. Bloggers reacted in awe, shock, anger and submission to the hopelessness of the human race.
Jordan: Debut Post
Jordanian Mohammad Azraq announces his debut post covering the Jordanian blogosphere at Global Voices Online here.
Bahrain: Bhutto – Martyr of Freedom
Bahraini blogger Hayat (Ar) describes assassinated former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto as the ‘martyr of freedom.’
Algeria: Online Poll on Bombings
Algerian blogger Nouri discusses Al Jazeera's recent poll on Algeria. The online poll asked users whether or not they supported the al-Qaeda bombings in Algeria.
Kuwaiti Publisher in Court
The Kuwait authorities levied charges of libel against Dr. Saad bin Tifla [translate], the publisher of the first online newspaper in the Gulf – Alaan – citing their Press & Publications Law of 2006, reports Bahraini blogger Mahmood Al Yousif.
Egypt: Arabic Books
Egyptian blogger Eman recommends reading the following Arabic books.
Egypt: Medical Myths
Mostafa from Egypt reviews seven medical myths in this post.
Caucasus: 2007 Blog Review
With 2008 less than a day away at time of writing, it seems only appropriate to take a look back at the blogging highlights in the Caucasus for 2007. Certainly, although blogging is still largely underdeveloped, the year has seen some major highlights, especially with regards to stories that also...
Egypt: Murad and the Freedom of Speech
Judge Murad lost his case and the court ruled in favour of freedom of speech. The Administrative Judicial Court issued a sentence in Case No. 15575 / 61, which was brought by Judge Abdul Fattah Murad calling for banning the 51 websites on the Internet in Egypt. You can read...
Bahrain: Reactions after the riots and arrests
In another special roundup, we have the reactions of Bahrain's bloggers to the events of the last few weeks, when rioting took place after the death of a demonstrator during a commemoration of 'Martyrs' Day', and many were subsequently arrested.
Trinidad & Tobago: Trip to Cairo
“I spent most of my first day swearing never to return, but I’ve been won over. I’ll be back.”: Club Soda and Salt visits Cairo, Egypt and finds a few similarities to his native Trinidad and Tobago.
Egypt: Bidding Farewell to Bhutto
Egyptian bloggers couldn't stop themselves from writing about the assassination of one of the bravest women in the Muslim world, and may be the whole world. Carmen – Diasporic Discontents – wrote about her own experience when she met Bhutto [En]. I met Benazir Bhutto when I was in grad...
Jordan: Film Festivals, Citizenship Law and More
From a film festival in Dubai, a Jordanian film maker is making his debut at Sundance. Mohammad Al Azraq reports on that as well as the citizenship law in Jordan, babies born out of wedlock and a book feast in the Netherlands.
Morocco recalls ambassador from Senegal
Blog politique au Senegal writes [FR] about the King of Morocco's decision to recall his ambassador from Senegal in a spat over Western Sahara: “It must have been a nasty blow to [the king's] ego when a socialist ex-minister dared refuse to adopt the Moroccan line on the fate of...
Israel: Journalists Face Possible Jail Time for Visits to Enemy States
Three Israeli journalists who visited Lebanon and Syria are facing possible jail time for visiting nations that the government terms “enemy states.” Lisa Goldman, Ron Ben-Yishai, and Tsur Shezaf have been investigated and will spend a maximum of four years in jail if found guilty. Here's the reaction from Israel's English speaking blogs.
Congratulations New, Rising Voices
The Rising Voices citizen media outreach initiative will start out 2008 with five new and innovative projects based in Kenya, Madagascar, Uruguay, Jamaica, and Iran.
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: Shock at Benazir Bhutto's Death
Following yesterday's news of Benazir Bhutto's assassination, Moroccan bloggers react to the tragedy. Jillian York and Lydia Beyoud sum up a spate of reactions from the Anglophone and Francophone blogoma.
Iran:Extremist forces and the assassination of Bhutto
Pouya says[Fa] that extremist and fundamentalist forces are the real “winners” of the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.Iranian blogger adds the fundamentalists need chaos in society to push their agenda.
Argentina: Maradona Hopes to Meet Ahmadinejad
Argentine football star Diego Maradona expresses an interest to meet Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad writes El Rejunte.il [es]
Iran:Islamist students want action against corruption
Madreseh Ma (means our school) informs[Fa] us that several Basij (Islamist) Student Associations criticized Iranian judiciary's inaction regarding corruption.
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