Stories about Arabic from December, 2010
Tunisia: The Cry of Protestors Echoes Around the World
The cries of Tunisians, protesting against corruption and joblessness for the past two weeks, is gathering momentum on the World Wide Web. Netizens from around the world are rallying behind them and echoing their calls.
Algeria: Wikileaks and Israel
Khaled Mimoune, from Algeria, tweets (Ar): “Isn't it fishy that there are no Wikileaks documents exposing Israel's scandals?”
Saudi Arabia: The Kingdom in One Sentence
From Saudi Arabia, Mustafa Hussain tweets (Ar): “Unemployment, corruption, tribalism, weak education curricula, state-owned media, full prisons, bad government services, oil which is not its own – all this and more in Saudi Arabia.”
Jordan: Sentencing of Critical Football Club President
Former Jordanian MP and Wihdat football club president Tareq Sami Khoury had been sentenced to two years in prison for assaulting and insulting a gendarme officer. Netizens react to the sentence.
Tunisia: Unemployed Man's Suicide Attempt Sparks Riots
An unemployed Tunisian set himself on fire in protest against his joblessness, sparking a wave of riots on the ground and solidarity and support on social networking platforms. While the fate of Mohamed Bouazizi, aged 26, from Sidi Bouzid, in southern Tunisia, remains unclear, Tunisian netizens ceased the incident to complain about the lack of jobs, corruption and deteriorating human rights conditions in their country.
Bahrain: A Bloody Ashura!
chowderchunk shares with us a video of bloody Ashura processions in Bahrain. [Warning: Video contains graphic images.]
Kuwait: Should the Kuwaiti Amir Join Twitter?
On Twitter, @kuwaiti (Ar) asks the Kuwaiti Ruler to join Twitter “to get closer to his people and understand their opinions.”
Syria: Let It Snow!
It's been a whirlwind week of weird weather for much of the Levant, as relieving rains and surprise snows blanket the landscape. In the Syrian capital, the streets are covered with snow for the first time in years. Though the Damascus skies occasionally sprinkle snow, rarely does it stick to the ground.
Saudi Arabia: Free Saudi Scholar Dr Mohammed Alabdulkareem
Saudi Dr Mohammed Alabdulkareem was arrested after publishing an article on the effectiveness of the political regulation among the royal family. Using blogs, Facebook and Twitter, netizens stand up to call for his release.
Jordan: Football Violence or Racism?
News reports estimate that 250 people were injured following a football game in south Amman between the Wihdat team, usually followed by Jordanians of Palestinian heritage, and the al-Faisali team, usually supported by Jordanians of Transjordanian heritage. Twitter users react to the unfolding drama.
Lebanon: Blogger Farfahinne's First Arrest
Lebanese human rights activist and blogger Farfahinne shares her story of getting arrested by the Lebanese security forces when she tried to enter the Palestinian refugees camp "Nahr al-Bared" in north Lebanon to meet friends.
Oman: A Blogging Pioneer Tells His Story
Blogs in Oman, as in other countries in the region, are somewhat less popular than internet forums, but there has been a growth in blogging in recent years. Global Voices has spoken to Muawiyah Alrawahi, a young blogger who has been encouraging Omanis to blog and to create public debate in their country, with the argument that “the issue that we don’t discuss is the issue we won’t solve”.
Tunisia: Censorship Continues as Wikileaks Cables Make the Rounds
Tunisian activists pounced on the latest Wikileaks US Embassy Cables, dedicating a new website to republish and discuss the revelations related to their country. Tunileaks, was launched by Nawaat one hour after the whistle-blowing site unleashed the cables - sparking a new round of censorship of the www.
Qatar: Jeers, Cheers as Country is Awarded 2022 World Cup
Qatar celebrates after FIFA awards the country World Cup 2022 bid - Internet responds with cheers and jeers for the tiny desert country's win over the US, Australia, South Korea and Japan. And Arab netizens join the celebration in a series of congratulatory tweets.
