Latest posts by Katharine Ganly
Lebanon: Seen Around Beirut
Graffitti is appearing on the walls of Beirut in the form of signposts pointing in the direction of Palestine. See an example posted by Laila at Like a grain of sand in the univers.
MENA: International Day Against Homophobia Celebrated
May 17th marks the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO). The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is still a region for concern according to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (IGLA), as homosexual acts are still legally punishable in all MENA countries with the exception of Israel. Despite this, there are associations in the region which openly and passionately celebrated IDAHO; Katharine Ganly takes a look at some of the major events in the region.
Lebanon: Support the Water Taxi Project
The Beirut Water Taxi Project is a new idea to help reduce congestion on Beirut's busy roads. It is currently being studied by the Lebanese government. Show your support for the idea by joining the Facebook group.
Egypt: Journalists Protest at Qatar Embassy
Mohamed Hashem, journalist of Islamonline, reports on the protest held at the Qatar Embassy, Cairo, on May 9. The protest comprised 150 journalists and writers, and addressed the issue of the sacking of 250 Islamonline employees in March.
Saudi Arabia: Streets closed to women joggers
A street in Asir Province, Saudi Arabia, where many women liked to exercise has recently been shut off to female joggers, as it has been deemed unsafe by the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. Katharine Ganly takes a look at some of the blogger reactions to this development.
Morocco: Leishmaniasis outbreak
An outbreak of Leishmaniasis in Rachidya is met with shock by Lamia, who is outraged by the lack of movement in treatment by the Moroccan Ministry of Health. Read more in this post.
Jordan: Public Security Directorate text message
Kinzi receives a text message starting “If you value your life…” , and after a moment of panic realises it is not as threatening as she first thought in this post.
Gaza: Permitted/Prohibited Goods
Gaza Mom comments on the list released by GISHA detailing goods which are permitted admission into the Gaza Strip, Palestine, and those which are prohibited entry.
Jordan: First Arab female bodybuilder
Buj Al Arab praises the determination of Farah Malhass, the Arab Wolrd's first female bodybuilder, and is pleasantly surprised seeing her gracing the cover of Gulf News .
Lebanon: Questionable flag
Beirut Chronicles travels to the village of Bteghrine, north of Beirut, to follow up on rumours of a German flag bearing a swastika hung in the main square. The blog shows us a picture of the building from which the flag is hung, and discusses the issue in this post[Fr].
Lebanon: Disabled Access
Joeysbox praises a new restaurant that has caught his eye: Ice Beirut, one of the first premier restaurants in Lebanon with full disabled access.
Algérie Télécom: The only choice?
Algérie Télécom, the main operator of Internet services in Algeria, is notorious amongst bloggers for its poor service and frequent disruptions. In this post, Katharine Ganly translates the frustrations of a young blogger, Houda, from Sidi Bel Abbès.
Lebanon: The Adventures of Salwa
Liliane comments on The Adventures of Salwa a new comic-style campaign aimed at combating sexual harassment in Lebanon.
Arab World: Earth Hour Marked Across the Region
Earth Hour is an annual event celebrated on the last Saturday in March. Awareness of Earth Hour has been spreading throughout the world since its inception in Australia in 2007. In this post, Katharine Ganly takes a look at some of the initiatives celebrating Earth Hour in the Arab World.
UAE: Skin Whitening Cream
Arabmania questions the popularity for skin whitening creams in the Arab world, and gets lots of comments here.
Saudi Arabia: 1,000 lashes for YouTube video
A Saudi man has been charged for morality crimes after a video appeared on YouTube where he is dressed in police uniform, dancing and flirting with the male cameraman. He has been sentenced to 1,000 lashes, a 5,000 rial ($1,333) fine and a year in prison. Katharine Ganly takes a look at some blogger reactions.
Palestine: Sleepless in Gaza
The premier episode of a 90 part series, Sleepless in Gaza…and Jerusalem will be launched on YouTube on March 1st. The series will be a video diary about four young Palestinian women, Muslim and Christian, two living in Gaza and two in Arab Jerusalem/West Bank. The series will show how...
MENA: Breaking the veils
AltMuslimah reviews the exhibition Breaking the veils: Women artists from the Islamic World, which contains art and literature from women in over 20 countries, including Palestine, Yemen and Morocco. The exhibition, which stated in Jordan, is now touring the US. The review can be read here.
Lebanon: Valet Parking
Armigatus presents several views on valet parking in Lebanon, encouraging people to walk instead of drive, in this post.
Arab World: Article on polygamy causes a stir
Nadine al-Bedair's article entitled "Me and My Four Husbands" has caused controversy and outrage amongst the Arab and Muslim blogosphere. However, there are also those that have defended her piece. Katharine Ganly explores these reactions.
Lebanon: Worker's Suicide Tragedy ‘Ignored’
Matthew Cassel reports the suicide of Theresa Seda, a Filipino domestic worker in Beirut. Read the chilling details of how such suicides- which have been increasing in numbers- are going ignored at Justimage.