Global Voices Online

Iraqi blog In Iraq, Sex is like Snow, writes about watching the Good Friday celebrations in Damascus.

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 figure out exactly what bothers me about it. It’s not just the article’s utter naiveté (the New York Times discovers that Muslim women–even veiled ones–care about fashion!) or the trite dichotomies it sets up.”

What do the pastries Kipfel and Krapfen have to do with Ottoman history? Turkish blogger Mavi Boncuk fills us in!

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 into 3D models required by US manufacturing firms that use computer graphics.”

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, traditions and religious practices that cause undue physical harm without any particular health benefit apart from a modicum of social acceptance.”

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 Cape Town for a short visit. Their stay will culminate on the 20th of April at The Armchair Theatre in Observatory in an event that we are calling Bring ‘n Braai, a locally flavoured nod to the creative commons ethic of artistic collaboration.

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 in Kenya but in the eastern Africa, Horn, Indian Ocean and Middle-Eastern region.

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 awareness and facilitate massive change through local tech ambassadors.”

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 has so much (positive stuff) to say about Zanzibar as a tourist destination, but then at the very core of it, it drops a serious bomb on the Tanzania’s seriousness on tourism.”