Latest posts by Ayesha Saldanha from August, 2009
Blogging About Poverty And Development In The Arab World
In some Arab countries, more than half of the population lives in hunger and want. In this post we hear from bloggers writing about poverty and development around the Arab world.
Iraq: Death Of Shi'ite Leader Abdul Aziz Al Hakim
Sayyed Abdul Aziz Al Hakim, leader of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (the largest political party in the Iraqi Council of Representatives), died of lung cancer on August 26 in Tehran, Iran. His death is expected to have repercussions for politics in Iraq. Bloggers around the region have responded to the news.
Palestine: Qatayef, A Special Ramadan Dessert
During Ramadan one of the special dishes enjoyed throughout the Arab world is qatayef, small pancakes stuffed with various sweet fillings. One blogger in Gaza has watched them being made, and another Gazan blogger provides a recipe.
Palestine: Gaza's Culture Of Resistance
The first feature film produced by Hamas had its premiere in Gaza on August 1, part of an attempt by the movement to win support through cultural initiatives, building a "culture of resistance". In the same week, a play about filmmaking opened in Gaza. Bloggers have attended both, and give us their opinions.
Bloggers Reflect On HIV/AIDS Awareness In Arab World
While some bloggers in the Arab world report encountering ignorance about HIV/AIDS, others are impressed at the progress being made in destigmatising the disease.
Bahrain: To Cut A Long Story Short…
In Bahrain, White Girl, Arab World came across some old objects at a friend's house – and soon discovered the use of one particular knife.
Bahrain: High-Tech Police?
Hussein Nasser has a suggestion: “Police officers in Bahrain make a phone call to get the details of a given car by specifying the plate number. They should install a gadget in police cars that can scan and read and interpret car plate numbers via a GPRS.”
Bahrain: Choosing A Natural Path
In Bahrain, Alia Almoayed describes the natural toiletries she uses – including a crystal deodorant: “Older members of my family, they tell me that everyone used it in the old days. In Bahrain they call it ‘shabba’. I wonder why people today would rather use the commercial toxic stuff instead.”
Palestine: In Jail For Being Palestinian
In the West Bank, Samuel Nichols writes: “A man came to our house, asking, ‘Where is Nasser?’ I didn't quite know how to respond, because Nasser is in jail. He's not in jail because he did anything wrong. He's in jail because he's Palestinian.”
Bahrain: No Adoption By Expatriates
Coolred writes about the recent case of an abandoned baby: “There have been quite a few expats here in Bahrain that came forward wanting to adopt this baby boy. Turns out the Bahrain govt is REFUSING to allow an expat to adopt him.”
Palestine: Gaza War Cemetery
In Gaza, Canadian activist Eva Bartlett writes about a visit to the Gaza war cemetery, where over 3,600 soldiers of different countries are buried.
Israel: Critical Means Self-Hating?
In Israel, Kristin says: “I’m so sick and tired of hearing this phrase “self-hating Jew”. I think that to be critical of one’s homeland is to be a true citizen: this can be done in many ways but if you are willing to strive to better it, how is this...
Palestine: Remembering Shafiq Al Hout
On 2 August, founder member of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) Shafiq Al Hout died. Al Hout helped found the PLO in 1964, was appointed PLO representative in Lebanon, and survived ten Israeli assassination attempts during the Lebanese Civil War. Arab bloggers have been paying tribute.
Bahrain: Memories Of Atari
Bahraini blogger Shaima Al Watani remembers the Atari video game [Ar].
Bahrain: Remembering Fashion Icons
The Bahrain Poise blog remembers the Middle East's fashion icons of yore, actresses such as Faten Hamama and Madiha Yousry.
Bahrain: Too Much Traffic
Elkhelid is fed up of traffic in Bahrain: “Bahrain’s construction projects and road renovations have created a problem: major intersections are bottle necks.”
Palestine: Hebron Full Of Tension
In the West Bank, the blogger at Minnesoterblog posts photos of Hebron, saying: “Hebron’s mix of hard-line ideological settlers (mostly of American and French origin) that live in and control the old city give it a tense atmosphere.”
Bahrain: Picking Dates
In Bahrain, Sherry Adams posts pictures of dates being harvested from the palms in her garden.
Bahrain: Sects of Islam
Bahrain resident Shirley Dockerill writes a post outlining the various sects of Islam, for those who are confused about the differences between them.
Palestine: School Graduation In Gaza
The tawjihi is the general secondary examination in Gaza, the West Bank and Jordan, and it determines a student's choice of university and major. This year the exams were held simultaneously in the West Bank and Gaza and hailed as a sign of national unity.
