Global Voices Online

About Marwa Rakha

138 posts · joined 2008-05-20

Born and raised in Egypt, I was brought up to be a good middle class Egyptian girl; but somehow being good did not suit my notions. Deep down I have rejected the heavy heritage of traditions and norms that made no sense to my inquisitive mind. I could not understand why girls were killed, committed suicide, or lived in eternal shame when they lost their virginity. I failed to comprehend why such a rule applied only to girls and their male counterparts were spared. After my grand mother passed away we stopped celebrating Christmas, New Year's Eve, Halloween, and Thanks Giving … does being a Muslim deny me all my childhood memories? Why do I have to get married? Why can't I date? Why do men cheat? Why do I have to accept it? Why? Why? Why? And many more unanswered questions.

I have come a long way from the scared little girl that I once was … I found my passion in writing, my voice in teaching & training, and my strength in marketing … I took off my mask … and I decided to speak up and loud .. as loud as loud could ever be.

Stories

November 14th, 2009

Egypt: Nidal Hassan - Psychiatrist or Psychotic?

Marwa Rakha · 09:03, November 14th, 2009 · Middle East & North Africa , Americas

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Major Nidal Hassan is the US military psychiatrist of Arab origins who went on a shooting rampage at Fort Hood in Texas, killing 13 people. He is now facing charges of premeditated murder. "Psychiatrist or Psychotic?", ask Egyptian bloggers. 0 comments  · read »

Egyptians! Algerians! Wake UP!

Marwa Rakha · 07:49 · Middle East & North Africa

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From ferocious marketing campaigns to Facebook wars, hacking, and owl burning, the November 14th match between Egypt and Algeria has turned into an ugly war. Marwa Rakha reports from the battlefront. 3 comments  · read »

November 13th, 2009

Egypt: Celebrities sans Diplomacy

Marwa Rakha · 17:40 · Middle East & North Africa

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Bikya Masr reported two stories a couple of days apart about celebrity blunders and lack of tact. Beyonce was targeted in the first and Salma Hayek spoke out in the second. Marwa Rahka has the story. 0 comments  · read »

Egypt: One day before playing Algeria

Marwa Rakha · 12:11 · Middle East & North Africa

Tension is building up over the decisive football match between Egypt and Algeria due to take place in Cairo on November 14. The encounter will determine which of the two teams will qualify to next year's FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Some Egyptian bloggers enjoy a game with a twist. 3 comments  · read »

October 30th, 2009

Middle East & North Africa

Wandering Scarab does not believe that Egyptian women know what they really want; their actions demonstrate that they don't really want equality or freedom; they do not even know what freedom is; they want to be free within cages of their own creation. They love being Damsels in Distress.

#

October 29th, 2009

Egypt: The top 10 most influential people

Marwa Rakha · 22:49 · Middle East & North Africa

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Gamal Mubarak, son of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak -- who is expected to succeed his father -- was among the 2009 TIME 100 Finalists. Egyptian bloggers have their say in this post. 0 comments  · read »

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