Global Voices Online

neweurasia comments on the release of the latest book from Turkmenbashi (”Father of the Turkmen” as President Nazarbaev likes to call himself).

Mohammed of Qatar Living says that Qatar has the reputation of being the home of free speech in the Middle East. Not only is it home to Al-Jazeera, but it also plays host to The Doha Debates which are held monthly at the Qatar Foundation. The Doha Debates are chaired by the internationally renowned broadcaster Tim Sebastian, formerly of the BBC's HARDTalk programme.

Lina is not happy that the Felix Moley Journalism Competition through the Institute for Humane Studies is not considering Blog entries as valid to enter the competition, specially that she believes that blogs are playing a very important role vis-à-vis today's mainstream media, and that they are a powerful tool of expression, especially in countries with less press freedom and less open media… how come they aren't recognized as “published” writings by an Institute supporting liberal values?

Hoder is on his way to attend the DW panel on blogging, as part of the Frankfurt International Book Fair next week.

Zach talks about Gothamist interview with documentary film maker Marc Levin regarding his new film Protocols of Zion (movie blog here), chronicles Marc’s exploration of the rumor that no Jews died in the attack on the World Trade Center because they were warned in advance. Apparently he says, Jewish groups are protesting the film.

Farid Pouya says that Reporters Without Borders accused the Iranian government of seeking to increase its control of the Internet in recent measures that have included contracting an Iranian company to set up a new online censorship system. RSF report here.

Jonathan says that like much else in the Middle East, the emergence of Hebrew instruction in East Jerusalem sends mixed messages. On one hand, the ulpanim are a reminder that although Arabic is an official language in Israel, it has de facto secondary status in business and government. He also says that for those who can't wait for the conflict to end and society to change, they may be the best solution.

Firas envy Beckham, not for his fit body, fame or good looks, and absolutely not for his wife Victoria, it is just that Beckham could at any point head to Israel for FREE, where he will be greeted at the airport with wide opened arms, and a “Welcome Home” greeting. He could then apply for an Israeli citizenship, where he would be issued a passport, given an envelope full of cash, and keys to a new subsidized home. On the other hand, Israel can not let Palestinians back to their homes, because there is no enough space and natural resources , the place will be really overcrowded, that is what they claim. Firas says that today many of the peace activists and those protesting against the IDF are of Jewish backgrounds or Israeli nationals. Many of them arrived to Palestine through the right of birth program to discover the hard truth.

Ahmad Humeid says that the Jordanian FM radio spectrum is becoming crowded. But with what?