Global Voices · Citizen media stories about Middle East & North Africa

Middle East & North Africa

Region archive · 3896 posts

RSS feed for Middle East & North Africa WikiPedia Link

Search Wikipedia for Middle East & North Africa

Latest stories about Middle East & North Africa

30 April 2012

Iran: Street Sweeper Finds and Returns $500,000

Written by Fred Petrossian · Iran

An Iranian street sweeper named Ahmad Rabani found 1 billion Toman (about $570,000 US dollars) and returned it to the owner. As thanks, he received a 200,000 Toman ($120 US dollars) reward.

· 5

· read »

29 April 2012

Tunisia: Clashes Over Future of State Television

Written by Salah Almhamdi · Tunisia

On April 25 a sit-in outside the offices of Tunisia's state television network that had lasted almost eight weeks came to an end. Protestors demanded the “cleansing” of the network of Ben Ali supporters, and also opposed suggestions of its privatisation.

· read »

28 April 2012

Syria: Television “Confession” of Activist Ali Mahmoud Othman

Written by Leila Nachawati Rego · Syria

Ali Mahmoud Othman, head of the media office of Baba Amr in Homs, was arrested in March. Now an exclusive interview, which many believe is a forced confession following his torture, is due to be broadcast on Syrian state television.

· 1

· read »

Bahrain: Where is Abdulhadi Alkhawaja?

Written by Mona Kareem · Bahrain

For some days there has been no news of imprisoned Bahraini human rights activist Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, who has been on hunger strike since February 8. It is feared that Alkhawaja is either being force-fed or is in a critical state.

· 5

· read »

27 April 2012

Tunisia: Uproar at Kiss of President's Hand

Written by Afef Abrougui · Tunisia

On April 26 a video featuring two men kissing the hand of interim Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki made a buzz on the web. Kissing the hand of the president is seen as a relic of the rule of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, and against the values of post-uprising Tunisia.

· read »

25 April 2012

Do Arab Men Hate Women? Mona Eltahawy Faces Firestorm

Written by Solana Larsen · Egypt

Egyptian-American columnist Mona Eltahawy has once again sparked controversy with an article in Foreign Policy magazine entitled “Why Do They Hate Us?”, in which she argues that Arab societies are fundamentally misogynistic.

· 10

· read »

Accused of Molesting Children, Iranian Diplomat Leaves Brazil

Written by Fred Petrossian · Iran, Brazil

An Iranian diplomat based in the capital of Brazil, Brasilia, was accused of molesting underage girls at a swimming pool on April 14, 2012. While Iran's embassy denied the allegations, and said they were the result of a "cultural misunderstanding", netizens both from Iran and Brazil didn't take long to react.

· read »

24 April 2012

Turkey: Armenian Genocide Commemoration in Istanbul

Written by Onnik Krikorian · Armenia, Turkey

April 24 marks the 97th anniversary of the massacre and deportation of around 1.5 million Armenians living in the then Ottoman Empire. An emotive issue for many Armenians and Turks, the anniversary was also commemorated in Istanbul.

· 3

· read »

Egypt: Time for Televised Presidential Debates?

Written by Salah Almhamdi · Egypt

As the time approaches for the Egyptian presidential election, there have been calls not only in Egypt but also around the Arab world for televised presidential debates.

· 1

· read »

22 April 2012

Iran: Pet Dogs Seized by Security Forces Once Again

Written by Fred Petrossian · Iran

The Iranian Society for Prevention of Cruelty against Animals report that last week about 20 dogs in Pardisan Park in Tehran were arrested as their owners walked them.

· 2

· read »

Updates about Middle East & North Africa

24 March 2012

Protest

Revolution2East posts on YouTube this video from a protest in Qatif, Saudi Arabia, in which protesters, who include women, chant that they will not give up on demanding their rights.

• Amira Al Hussaini

21 March 2012

Human Rights

Various organisations demanding the liberation of Lebanese prisoners detained in Syria are organising an event in the “Tent of the Families of the Missing and Detained” on Lebanese Mothers' Day, today, 21st March 2012, in the gardens in front of the Beirut UN building.

• Claire Ulrich

Freedom of Speech

Mehdi Khazali,blogger and publisher, has been released from jail on bail. You can see here his photos before and after hunger strike.

• Fred Petrossian

History

President Obama's Nowruz message to Iranians has been visited more than 62000 times in YouTube. Iranians wrote different comments for this message, from praising Obama to criticize sanctions.

• Fred Petrossian

Humor

What are Libyans laughing about on social networking sites? Check out this Facebook page to keep abreast with Libyan memes.

• Amira Al Hussaini

Ideas

Jordanian blogger Roba Al Assi shares a list of 50 things to do in Amman this month.

• Amira Al Hussaini

20 March 2012

Elections

Renowned Egyptian blogger Baheyya writes about Egypt's youngest presidential candidate - Khaled Ali, who turned 40 last month. “In this maiden presidential race, electability is hard to gauge. But if credibility is a criterion, then Khaled Ali has it in spades,” writes the blogger.

• Amira Al Hussaini

Religion

From Egypt, Zeinobia covers Pope Shenoda's funeral in Cairo in this blog post.

• Amira Al Hussaini

War & Conflict

Paul Mutter blogs about the newest permutations of a social media campaign started over the weekend by two Israeli graphics designers that is called “We Love Iranians,” aimed at raising public awareness against the steady march to war the Likud government has been taking Israel on towards Iran. The meme, which uses cat pictures, has “gone viral” in Israel.

• Amira Al Hussaini

19 March 2012

Human Rights

Marc Owen Jones collects videos allegedly showing Bahrain police forces throwing molotov cocktail (petrol bombs) at protesters and property in this post. Meanwhile, Bahrain has just charged 28 civilians with “attempted murder” for throwing molotov cocktails at policemen.

• Amira Al Hussaini

Comments on "Middle East & North Africa"

Palestine: PalFest Literature Festival in Gaza for First Time

Good article. Thank you, Ola. ~ Maya

May her sould rest in peace

Loved your article #شكرا
Who said I'm a journalist?, there is a difference between Citizen Journalism and actual Journalism by the way. Anyways thank...
Wow, that was one hell of a long reply for someone who doesn't want to reply. Contradicting one's self and...