Stories from 8 April 2007
Rwanda: Commemorating a 14-Year-Old Genocide
April 7th marked the 14th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide and was an official day of remembrance in Rwanda. At Pour Une Afrique Plus Ambitieuse et Volontaire Ravel Thombet wrote [Fr]: “Rwandan youth should free itself of this heavy heritage, born of human stupidity… In my upcoming book Interrogations Troublantes...
Rwanda: Good Hotels
Rwanda-based expat Guillaume posts [Fr] a guided tour of his favorite hotels and guest houses in the Rwandan cities of Kigali, Kibuye, Gisenyi, Butare and Cyangugu. It is a greatest hits list so even if you don't read French, know that the cited hotels come recommended by a knowledgeable traveler.
Israel: Easter in Jerusalem
Israelity offers Easter wishes and covers the celebrations in Jerusalem.
Guadeloupe: New Solar Energy Installation in Le Moule
Guadeloupe Attitude posts [Fr] a picture of a solar installation in the town of Le Moule that should help lower carbon dioxyde emission into the island's environment. The blogger explains that the installation was inaugurated March 30th and joins a wider project encompassing 2000 square meters of solar panels in...
Palestine: Debating the Refugee Issue
Daoud Kuttab discusses bearing responsibility for the Palestinian refugee problem.
Israel: Gaza Predictions
Based off of recent statements from Abbas, Aliyah advises: “Palestinians should also hold onto their hats –and find some basements to hide out in –because I’d wager that the gun battles and assassination attempts going on in Gaza without cease already between Fatah and Hamas, clan against clan, will also...
Palestine: Historical Comparisons on the Right of Return
Oranges and Olives poses some questions for Zionists who say that the Palestinians should assimilate out of the refugee camps: “But let us take a look at the issue from a different point of view: Didn't the Jews maintain their national aspiration for a return to the holy land? Did...
Jordan: Reconnecting in Amman
The Black Iris recounts the strange etiquette of homecoming…and the odd conversations required: “So no, I don’t feel obligated to “get together” or to “call you”. I don’t want to “catch up”. I don’t want a sit down where people try and gather as much info about your life so...
Israel: Knesset Predictions
Israeli blog Shiloh Musings muses on the predictions given by MK Dr. Arye Eldad, MD, an Israeli Knesset Member: “In Israel, the wars come when they're not expected, and, with the exception of Ehud Barak, rotten governments stick to their seats longer than anybody in their right mind would want...
Lebanon: Random Posts During the Holidays
Lebanon has been on a holiday the past week. Three holidays coincided together. This year happens to be one of those rare years when the liturgical calendars of the Orthodox Christians and Catholic Christians coincide. For that reason, all Lebanese Christian communities celebrated Easter together. Last week also witnessed the...
Syria: Celebrating Good Friday
Iraqi blog In Iraq, Sex is like Snow, writes about watching the Good Friday celebrations in Damascus.
Egypt: The NYT Discovers Muslim Fashion
The Arabist comments on an article by the New York Times in which the “trials” of being fashionable and a Muslim woman are illustrated:” Ever since I read this New York Times article a few days back about the identitarian fashion issues of Muslim American women I’ve been trying to...
Turkey: Pastries and the Ottomans
What do the pastries Kipfel and Krapfen have to do with Ottoman history? Turkish blogger Mavi Boncuk fills us in!
Rwanda: Rwanda to export 3D design system to US
Rwanda is set to export 3D computer design system to manufacturing companies in the US: “Capitalising on the growing pool of skilled engineers, the government, with help from SolidWorks Corporation, a US firm is to start an ICT project called Gasabo 3D Design that will convert two dimension (2D) data...
Eritrea:Eritrea bans FGM
Akin is happy to hear that FGM is banned in Eritrea: “Learning that Eritrea has banned the practice of Female Genital Mutilation or Circumcision (FGM or FGC) is definitely great news and to be celebrated. It marks a beginning of what should be a wave of the civilising of customs,...
South Africa: Sharing culture: Bring ‘n Braai
The Muso writes about a Free Culture event in South Africa: We’re pleased to announce an event the intellectual magnitude of which has not been seen in these parts for some time. Later this month, Larry Lessig, Founder of Creative Commons and Jimmy Wales, Founder of Wikipedia, will be in...
Kenya: US wants Kibaki to remain in power
Kenya Democracy Project on America's interest in Kenya's presidential elections: Why on earth would the Americans want Kibaki back in office? Well, because like Moi, he is the devil they know and his government seems to have no qualms whatsoever in doing the bidding for US geo-political interests not just...
Africa: social change through technology
White African on social change through technology in Africa: “Kabissa has applied for $500k worth of funding for their new Kabissa 2.0 project with NetSquared. They are talking big ideas. They want to use their knowledge of web-based technology tools to train and help grassroots African organizations grow community, build...
Uganda: Blog Awards, Digital Activism and More
A historic moment in the Ugandan blogosphere occurred a few weeks ago as the winners of the 2006 Uganda Best of Blog awards were announced. Since February 2007, local bloggers have been gathering for the Uganda Bloggers Happy Hour, which is held monthly at Mateo's bar in downtown Kampala. The...
Tanzania: tourism in Tanzania
Jaduong writes about a damaging postcard message about Tanzania's tourism sector shown on The Amazing Race reality TV: “What prompted me to write about this is a “postcard” from The Amazing Race reality TV program that I came across on the web. Please view the postcard yourself here. The card...
Iran:The revival of alternative Persian music
According to Project 300 no other genre has seen a bigger growth than hip-hop, with virtually hundreds of new rappers sprouting both inside Iran and out. Recently the addition of a few female artists has broken the trend in this largely male-dominated playing field.
