Ayesha Saldanha · June, 2009

Latest posts by Ayesha Saldanha from June, 2009

Bahrain: The Failure Of Education

Mahmood responds to a recently issued official report about the standards of education in Bahrain: “Education in this country is a joke, generally. Things will not change unless the decrepit primary and secondary system is gutted.”

Turkey: Pride March In Istanbul

Elizabeth is currently in Istanbul, and took part in its sixth LGBTT Pride March: “I took a lot of photos and copied down slogans: Susma, haykır, esçinseller vardir! (Don’t be silent, speak up: Queers exist!)”

Palestine: Learn From Palestinians

In the West Bank, Samuel Nichols describes visiting a Palestinian family: “These people don't need to learn about modern economics, democracy, or the peace process. The opposite is true, we all need to learn from them. The graciousness, kindness, and love of their hospitality is something that could change the...

Palestine: Rafah Crossing Open For 72 Hours

Laila El-Haddad is hoping she will see her parents soon, as the Rafah Crossing from Gaza into Egypt is temporarily opened: “Of the some 5000 Palestinians registered to cross, only 250 were allowed out of Gaza on the first day (a total of 5 buses), and only 4 buses scheduled...

Israel/Palestine: Travels With A Surfboard

Jesse Aizenstat is an American surfer who has been visiting Israel and Palestine – and he has carried his surfboard everywhere: “Walk from the Jerusalem bus station to the Muslim Quarter. This took about a half-hour; perhaps more because of inquisitive strangers questioning my sanity for bringing a surfboard to...

Bahrain: Remembering Michael

Michael Jackson was a resident of Bahrain for a short time – and Mahmood remembers some of the things he got up to: “What will I remember of him? Well, his touring the Seef Mall and being caught in a burka – of all things – shopping in Marina Mall,...

Bahrain: The Word Is Out

Bahraini blogger Mohammed AlMaskati comments on how easy it is to get the ‘real’ news about Bahrain today, from outside the country at least: “A simple search for the word ‘Bahrain’ will return you clips of demonstrations, anti-governmental poetry, sermons and riots…The views of our so-called ‘opposition’ are out for...

Israel: Activism in Israel and Iran

Israeli activist Joseph Dana writes: “As an Israeli actively contesting the overt and covert policies of my government, I have been struck with a feeling of familiarity and identification with the events that have been unfolding in Iran.”