Global Voices » Katharine Ganly

Aleppo: Urban Exploration

Katharine Ganly — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 08:59:12 +0000

“It’s amazing to feel like a tourist in your own city, to get to see a place many call home, to know that Aleppo means different things to different people.” The Diadochi shares with us some urban exploration of Aleppo, along with some lovely photographs in this post.

Palestine: Autumn in Gaza

Katharine Ganly — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 22:14:10 +0000

Lina, who blogs at Live From Gaza gives us a view of the brooding autumnal sky from her window.

Saudi: Female-only hospitals

Katharine Ganly — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 10:34:33 +0000

American Bedu discusses the idea of female-only hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Read the blog post and the numerous comments on it here.

Lebanon: TV Shows on Homosexuality Create Buzz

Katharine Ganly — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 09:49:18 +0000

“A gay killer has the passion of a woman and the aggression of a man,” states Zaven Kouyoumjian, Lebanese host of Siree Wenfatahet, a program broadcast by Future TV and one of the highest rated TV shows in the Middle East.

Last week's show focused on “gay crime in Lebanon”, stating its intent was to explore the reasons behind the “increase of gay emotional crimes” occurring in the country.

The show, however, has been not been well-met by the queer community, due to the nature of some of the pronouncements, like the one above, and the sensationalism of the subject.

Beirut Boy addresses a letter to Zaven - who claimed in his show to be ” breaking gay stereotypes “- stating:

Dear Zaven,

You are not breaking any stereotypes. In fact, you just created a new stereotype!

Instead of talking about gay crimes happening in Lebanon (crimes where gay men and women get killed just because they’re gay), you chose to talk about a crime committed BY a gay man.

You should have talked about gay stereotypes and broken myths about gays.

How is the murderer’s sexual orientation of any relevance to you? He was gay and he happened to murder someone. Do you have to do a whole show about “murderous gay men and women”?!

Are you ****ing insane? I can’t believe your show is watched all across the Arab world.

Whilst the The Lebanese LGBT Monitor has collated a number of reader comments left on Zaven's Facebook fanpage which show the same disappointment.

Hasan writes:

While العميد (the brigadier) said he saw only 5 cases of “homosexual crime” in his past 10 years, you made a whole episode about this very rare topic, further alienating and stereotyping LGBT people. LGBT people get bullied and blackmailed in Lebanon on a daily basis, do you believe this warrants an episode on سيرة وانفتحت Siree Wenfatahet? Or does this not sell well in the media?

and Gay Middle East asks:

How about addressing homophobia and challenging stereotypes about sexualities in one of your near future shows?

Commenter Omar adds:

I think you could have learned a thing or two from a “better” journalist, Riyad Kobeisi who had a show about homosexuality the same night at the same time. Watch and learn

Indeed, another program, Mithy Mithlak, aired its first episode on New TV last week. This two-part program has been generally better received, as it provides a broader exploration of sexuality and sexual difference.

Myra Abdallah gives a brief summary about the two TV shows on Lebanese LGBT Monitor [AR], where she states:

كانت حلقة تليفزيون الجديد مع رياض قبيسي جديرة بالمشاهدة. فإنه لم يوجه أي إتهام أو حكم على المثليين، بل إنه عرض
حالة المثليين الحقيقية في لبنان

Riad Qubeisi's New TV program was worth watching. It did not pass any judgment on homosexuals, rather it presented their true status in Lebanon.

She continues:

كانت الحلقة تتمحور حول شهادات حية من أشخاص مثليين، … إن هذا البرنامج، وللمرة الأولى على التليفزيون، كان إيجابيا وألقى إعجاب الكثيرين من الذين شاهدوه.

The episode focused on real testimonies of gay people… This program, for the first time on television, was positive and has gained admiration among many who watched it.

Online queer Arab magazine Bekhsoos features an http://www.bekhsoos.com/web/2010/10/what-did-you-think-of-the-ntv-and-ftv-shows-on-homosexuality-in-lebanon/”>article calling for readers' opinions on the two programs.

One commenter, Phoenix states:

pfff Zaven Kouyoumdjian is such a typical sucker for ratings.
a sensational slut.
he only used the title to attract audiences when his show was a waste of time as it always is when he uses enticing titles such as “awal zawaj li thakareyn fi loubnan” [first marriage between men in Lebanon] in which a woman had “male” instead of female on her id card and she was married with children.

as for the New TV’s show, it was a a wonderful step from him to talk to Helem and the people involved in it. He had an objective take on the subject showing different points of view and I’m looking forward to watch the second episode of his show.

Note: Helem is a Lebanese LGBTIQ advocacy group.

It seems the two shows could not have been met with more different reactions. In response to Beirut Boys post, Gay Middle East tweets:

and a commenter adds:

Mr Zaven and the Future TV should applogize. The program is so shameful and definitely not up their standards!

We can only wonder if after all of the offense caused, said journalist and network will…

Lebanon: This morning in Beirut

Katharine Ganly — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 19:08:55 +0000

Shalabieh finds a strange pair of eyes watching her from her neighbour's Beirut balcony.

Palestine: Family Matters

Katharine Ganly — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 20:21:59 +0000

Palestinian writer Khulud at Life in Fragments blogs about the “importance” of coming from a respected family in obtaining a job offer, and how she would rather be recognised for her own skills than her family background, in this post.

MENA: The Bigger Picture Behind Eden Abergil's Facebook Photos

Katharine Ganly — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 12:54:41 +0000

Ex-Israeli soldier Eden Abergil's Facebook photo album entitled “IDF- The best days of my life” has caused outrage since it was revealed on Monday that the album contained photos of the soldier posing mockingly with handcuffed and blindfolded Palestinian detainees.

The photo album was available for public viewing until Abergil changed her Facebook privacy settings after the scandal arose. The story, which has made news worldwide, has been met by angry reactions on local and international blogs and on Twitter.

The album not only contained photos of the detainees, with the soldier posing alongside them, but was also annotated with mocking commentary. Jordanian-Palestinian blogger Haitham Sabbah, at the Sabbah Report provides a translation for some of the comments:

On Thursday Abergil responded to the controversy by saying she did not understand what was wrong with the photos. She said:

“There’s no violence or intention to humiliate anyone in the pictures. I just had my picture taken with them in the background. I did it out of excitement, to remember the experience. It wasn’t a political statement or any kind of statement. It was about remembering my experiences in the army and that’s it.”

Since the publicity around the photographs, the IDF has denounced Abergil's actions, insisting that she does not represent the IDF and pointing out that she was discharged last year. Some, such as Zeinobia at Egyptian Chronicles suggest that this is merely as an image-saving exercise. One commenter on Zenobia's post however points out that despite what many bloggers think, Abergil has been equally as criticised from within Israel as she has been elsewhere:

Regardless of IDF's public statements and actions to be taken against Eden Abergil, the majority of Israeli people comments and opinions posted in their news media criticized her and called her various names ranging from ‘idiot' to @%#*& and demanded for her punishment.

While Abergil has been singled out, Sabbah on the other hand states that these pictures are just part of a wider phenomenon, an opines that this is the norm for the IDF:

All of these pictures really speak for themselves and what to expect from Israel Army, and worse. ‬Pictures of this kind reflect the norms accepted among Israeli soldiers at checkpoint, and the treatment meted out to innocent Palestinians. This sick girl is no better than all Israeli soldiers serving the occupation of Palestine. In fact these “best times of my life” pictures are only humble memories when compared to the bloody memories that other Israeli terrorist soldiers carry with them

Progressive Jewish blog Mondoweiss posts a similar view, as detailed in the post Eden Abergil, The Product of a Blindfolded Society, where a militarized society is blamed for such actions, suggesting while Abergil's behaviour is reprehensible, it is also commonplace and is something she may later regret:

Is there anything shocking about the Facebook photos showing the Israeli female soldier Eden Abergil posing in mocking positions next to bound and blindfolded Palestinian men? …
…You don't have to go to the West Bank or into an Israeli prison to recognize that Abergil is a typical product of Israel’s comprehensively militarized society. Just watch the documentary,“To See When I’m Smiling.”In the film, which tells the soul-crushing stories of four young women conscripted into the Israeli Army, one of the characters recounts posing for a photo beside a dead Palestinian man who had an erection. She was smiling from ear to ear in the photo. However, at the end of the film, when she is compelled to look at the picture for the first time in two years, she does not recognize the monster who bears her image. Her contorted facial expression seems to ask, “Who was I?”

And Dimi Reider, who works from within Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, at Dimi's notes makes the point that:

Abergil is no better or worse than thousands of other Israeli soldiers… Abergil by no means should be scapegoated for all excesses of the IDF

The Black Iris of Jordan, expresses some confusion as to why the photos have caused such a stir, as they are by no means unique, in this post, stating:

What is perhaps…interesting about this controversy is that the international media is deeming it a controversy at all. In the context of this conflict, and with all the well documented barbaric acts of the Israeli occupational force, why is a girl take a picture next to bound prisoners all that important? I’m essentially re-framing the very idiotic question Abergil posted in her own defense, but merely contextually. A simple Google search will yield unending results of Israeli acts on Palestinian lives, images that are simply haunting. And yet, this is what gets the media machine talking? It would definitely be interesting to analyze simply why this is so appealing to mass media? Is it the Facebook element? The digital, viral element? Is it a “caught red-handed” moment?

Indeed, the internet is rife with similar photos, which can not only be found through Google but are also being posted on Facebook, as can be seen here highlighted on Israeli blogger Eyal Niv’s blog [HB], in Palestinian Pundit's post entitled Rotten Apples, huh?, and in the Facebook group The norm Avi Benayahu denies, - named in reference to the Israeli military spokesman who described the release of photographs of soldiers next to detainees as exceptional,- set up by Israeli activist group Breaking the Silence in response to the controversy.

Nevertheless, most of the attention has been on Abergil herself, with the creation of a Fake Eden Abergil on Twitter, a sarcastic Twibbon, an “Eden Aberjil Sucks” Facebook page , and a meme sweeping the internet that includes mock ups of the photos from Abergil's album, many of which, such as the following, can be viewed on Ido Kenan’s blog Room 404:

Abergil has reacted to the meme by starting a debate with one of the contributors: extracts of the argument in which she does not do herself any favours can be seen on Dimi's notes here. While the statements Abergil makes in this argument are abhorrent ( “There are no laws in war!” “I hate Arabs and wish them the worst” “It would be fun for me to kill them” ), Dimi offers us the following comments on the matter:

I really don’t think Abergil is a monster. She speaks and acts like someone from a conflict area, who had well-grounded fears of Palestinian political violence nourished and grown into a full-fledged paranoia by a society built around the idea of existential fear. Comments similar to hers are posted in their hundreds on Israeli news sites every day; and frankly, some of the pro-Palestinian comments I’ve been trashing from this blog over the past couple of days are no better; the worrying thing is not Abergil’s uniqueness but her complete commonality, the fact that mind-numbing fear is taking hold of more and more young Israelis, grinding on whatever little intolerance we have left for abuses of state power against minority.

As for Abergil, like I said earlier, life is long and there’s hope she’ll feel differently in years to come; I’d strongly suggest you watch “To see if I’m smiling” before you wish her ill.

Meanwhile, at The Young Diplomat, Israeli blogger Ilan Ben Zion supports this notion that maybe Eden Abergil is just a young, inmpressionable, and yes, insensitive and senseless child in the post O Aberjil Saint of Silly:

What is surprising (aside from the fact that there is one group, 1,500 or so strong in support of the woman) is that no one, not even the Israeli Army, has simply dismissed her immoral actions as those of an immature dolt whose scope of foresight is limited to what she can put up on her Facebook page for the amusement of friends. She is undoubtedly and undeniably a complete ignoramus. Her statements on Facebook annunciate a primitive, brutish outlook (”I would gladly kill Arabs– even slaughter them”) typical of football hooligans and stultified post-lobotomy patients. Any conscience she was meant to possess must have been tossed out with her frontal lobes…

He writes a scathing piece before finishing:

Ms. Abergil, I hope you've learned a lesson: don't post incriminating pictures on Facebook that make you– and more importantly your whole country– look bad, and take a minute to weigh the consequences of your actions. Everyone else out there, I wish I could say she is a wholly isolated incident, but she is not. Nevertheless, know that Eden Abergil is not representative of Israel, the IDF, or Israelis. She is, in fact, the Israeli patron saint of bad taste, myopia, and tactlessness.

A commenter on Dimi's notes‘ post, regarding the photos, states simply:

Ceux qui rient dans ces circonstances ont perdu conscience de ce qu’ils font.

Those who laugh under such circumstances have lost any conscience about what they do.

But maybe, after looking at the opinions above, it turns out that she never had a developed conscience about the reality of what she was doing in the first place? In any case, one thing is certain: We have not heard the end of the Eden Abergil story. While her actions are deplorable, let's hope that the focus moves away from the individual and onto the larger issues that it involves.

Jordan: Reema, We Refuse to Let You Die in Vain

Katharine Ganly — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 18:38:58 +0000

A tragedy has struck us.
I never thought it would come to this. That I come to write an obituary for the closest and dearest aunts of all. My aunt Reema, may Allah have peace on her soul, age 35, mother of 2 girls and 1 boy, was cowardly shot while she was asleep. The assailant is her husband.

Blogger Aboosh opens with these words in a poignant and moving obituary written for his aunt.

A few days ago, in the Jerash Governorate, Jordan, Reema was shot by her husband during her sleep [Ar]. The reason for this murder? Her husband believes that his wife was a “victim of sorcery” and that she would kill him first; he claims to have been told by a ‘well-trusted' man that his wife was affected by a murderous spell.

It has since become apparent that the victim, a 35-year-old English teacher and mother of three, suffered years of mental and physical abuse at the hands of her husband.

Aboosh brings to light the kind of role model Reema is, particularly for young women of Jordan:

My aunt is (and I refuse to say was) the definition of youth, potential and an example of local women leadership. In her life that was cut short, she gathered tremendous support and love from everyone she met or whoever crossed her path. She is an example to everyone, with her level of education, her perseverance, and her elegance.

In 21st Century Jordan, she resembles where an individual should strive for. Her work for the local universities, for the local schools and graduate studies has affected hundreds of young local females.

In 21st Century Jordan, she presents the example of local leadership that works against all odds, to reform her surroundings, to present a better future for those who follow in her shadow, and to bring the bottom-up revolution we all seek for.

In 21st Century Jordan, aunt Reema presents the model for all Muslim women around the world: a model of conservatism and modernism, that adheres to the local cultural values, yet, flourish where many have failed.

In 21st Century Jordan, my aunt Reema AbdulHafez Al-Abed, was shot dead in her sleep.

Aboosh refuses to let Reema die in vain, and asks Jordan to take action so that some good may come from this tragedy. He urges the government to provide support and protection to abused and victimised women. He also calls for the government to focus on education regarding “magicians”, exposing their lies and holding them accountable for the crimes they cause.

Aboosh also calls on society to address these problems, acknowledging that society “bears the heaviest role” in change. He urges the following:

1. All mosque leaders and tribe aldermen need to educate their local societies about the roles and responsibility of men towards their wives, and how to treat them with respect and dignity.

2. Local women centers need to educate women about their rights and their options to avoid physical and mental abuse.

3. Women must not be scapegoated every time in order to protect her name and her kids. We have seen the price of that!

4. Marriage between cousins or 2nd cousins must be brought to an end. The majority of marriages between relative end up carrying the strains of old blood between family members.

5. All those liars who claim to be magicians or practice voodoo must be exposed and sent to jail to rot there, where they belong.

The blogging community has reacted with support to Aboosh's post, and has spread his message.
Jansait highlights issues of punishment in Jordan, where women have little access to family protection, and preservation of ‘honour' can be used as a mitigating factor in murder cases.

Jansait asks:

How many women should be killed before we wake up? before our government and or King Abdullah and Queen Rania do something? seriously these souls are not toys! these women are the root, source and reflection of the future Jordan. what future are we looking at now?

Jansait also addresses the problem on Twitter, calling for action from the Royal Family:

while others, such as Majd support Aboosh in his call for policing the actions of so-called “magicians”:

[Authors note: سحرة is Arabic for sorcerer or magician. ]

Jansait urges people to take action:

and the people at Womens Rights on change.org have taken action and started a petition in order to raise awareness and put pressure on the government to enact change. It opens:

The Royal Family and The Government,
As authority figures, I ask you to speak out and convert all the legislations into actions on the violent crimes against women in Jordan. To make Reema Al-Abed, a 35 years old woman, a mother of three who was shot in her sleep by her husband for no sin, the last victim.

In addition to legislative change, the petition also calls for the establishment of accessible shelters and crisis centers for females victims of violence in both urban and rural areas. It can be signed here.

Readers have left hundreds of messages on the news reports covering Reema's death, expressing outrage, as well as offering their condolences, as here:

لا حول ولا قوة الى بالله ان لله وان الية لراجعون

There is no transformation nor strength except through Allah. We belong to Allah and to Him we return.

While Aboosh, in his blog, maintains a heartfelt determination in urging society to learn from Reema's murder:

We REFUSE to let you die in vain.
We will have the courage to face your tragic loss with heads held high, and show the world what you have taught us and kept teaching us.
You will light the road in your death as you did when you were alive.

Jordan: Royal Conversations

Katharine Ganly — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 08:33:45 +0000

What would a confidential meeting between King Abdullah of Jordan and his extended family be like? Mab3oos gives us a fly-on-the-wall view in this humourous post, the first of a series of tongue-in-cheek glimpses into what goes on behind closed doors.

Beirut: 10 things to do under $10

Katharine Ganly — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 08:33:23 +0000

Think visiting Beirut is expensive? Shalabieh at Shalabieh's World gives us suggestions for 10 things to do in Beirut for under $10. See the ideas, and maybe add your own suggestions here.

Jordan: An Ode to the White Plastic Chair

Katharine Ganly — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 10:37:41 +0000

“My dear white plastic chair: without you, the world wouldn’t be the same,” Roba at And Far Away writes an ode to the ubiquitous white plastic chair, complete with photos to illustrate its presence in the world.

Lebanon: Hiking from Rachaya Al Wadi to Ain Ata

Katharine Ganly — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 09:21:41 +0000

Rami at +961 details his hike with footprints nature club, a 4-hour cross-hill trek from Rachaya to Ain Ata, Lebanon. Read more and see photos in this post.

Morocco: Petitioning for the decriminalisation of homosexuality

Katharine Ganly — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 06:22:10 +0000

Moroccans are petitioning for the decriminalisation of homosexuality by the repeal of article 489 of the Moroccan Penal Code, which criminalises “lewd or unnatural acts with an individual of the same sex.” See more at GayMaroc [AR], or visit the Facebook group here.

Lebanon: Felesteen 2.0

Katharine Ganly — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 15:42:29 +0000

Felesteen 2.0 is setting up a series of new blogs as part of their social media project. The new bloggers are residents of the Shatila camp, ranging from 14 – 22 years of age with diverse educational backgrounds.

Lebanon: “Looks like Beirut” Award

Katharine Ganly — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 18:30:30 +0000

Lebanon News: Under Rug Swept periodically awards the “Looks Like Beirut” Award “in recognition of the work done to keep the overused, worn-out, tired cliché “…looks like Beirut…” alive. It is awarded to Hull and East Riding here, a Weymouth resident here, and a resident of Strabane here.