Stories about Saudi Arabia from December, 2007
Arabeyes: Sad for Bhutto
News of the murder of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was received with shock across the Middle East. Bloggers reacted in awe, shock, anger and submission to the hopelessness of the human race.
Arab Bloggers Alarmed by Al Farhan's Arrest
Reactions continue to reverberate across the Arab blogosphere following the arrest of Saudi blogger Fouad Al Farhan, whose charges still remain unknown. Following is what some of region's bloggers have to say about his detention.
Saudi Arabia: Free Fouad Update
The leading Saudi blogger, Fouad Alfarhan, who has been arrested in Jeddah on December 10, 2007 for exercising his freedom of speech on his popular blog alfarhan.org has sent a letter few days before his arrest to his friends. According to his wife with whom we talked, Fouad's arrest was directly linked to his blogging activities. He may remain in custody for a one-month investigation period.
Bahrain: The debt owed to the Indians of the Gulf
This is the second post from Bahrain this week; the first covered various celebrations, and demonstrations. In this post we'll be examining the official population statistics, hearing about a frustrating experience in Saudi Arabia, seeing what role graffiti can play in political mobilisation, and acknowledging the debt owed to South Asians in the Gulf.
Saudi Blogger Fouad Al Farhan Arrested in Jeddah
Saudi Arabia added yet another accolade to its freedom of speech record by arresting its first blogger. Fuad Al Farhan, considered by many as being the dean of Saudi bloggers for being among the first to blog in his country using his real name, has been arrested in Jeddah. No further news is available for the reasons for his detention. This is how some of his fellow bloggers reacted to his arrest.
Saudi: World Excited About Saudi ‘YouTubers’
Saudi Jeans comments on the world's fascination with the relationship of Saudis with video sharing site YouTube. “Now this fascination is not limited to Saudis as YouTube has become an international phenomenon in short time, but as with almost everything else, outsiders seem to think that our country is a...
Saudi Fatwa Against the US Dollar
Window into Palestine comments on a new Saudi fatwa (religious edict) on the US dollar. Click here to read about it.
Saudi Arabia: Leading Blogger Arrested
The Arab Blogger's Observatory (Ar) announced the arrest of pioneer Saudi blogger Fuad Al Farhan. The site did not cite any reasons for his arrest.
Syria: Friend Kidnapped in Saudi Arabia
Syrian Kinan Jarjous, who lives in Dubai, narrates to us hos his friend was kidnapped and robbed in Saudi Arabia.
Lebanon: Who Killed Francois Hajj and Why?
Lebanon grabs the international headlines again, with another assassination. Who was killed and why? Who is blaming whom and what have the region's bloggers got to say.
Bahrain: Fikr 6 – Changing the World
Last week I was privileged to attend Fikr 6, a conference organised by the Arab Thought Foundation: In keeping with the mission of the Arab Thought Foundation to promote the unique culture and values of the Arab people, Fikr 6: Arab Strategies For the Global Era will assemble the smartest...
Saudi: Xmas Blues
Nzingha, who is married to a Saudi, discusses how she and her children will feel about Christmas, when she visits her brother in the US.
Saudi: Columnist Quits Over Gang Rape Case
Or Does it Explode reports that a Saudi columnist has dropped her pen in despair over a high profile gang rape case, in which a Saudi victim is being punished for being gang raped.
Saudi: Vote for Me
“And since I have no shame left I don't feel bad begging for votes :) Once again the Brass Crescent Awards are doing their yearly recognition of some of the blogs out here by Muslims (or one category is for Non Muslims but about Islam/Muslims). Feel free to vote for...
Saudi: Car Number Plate for $1.7m
Saudi Jeans isn't pleased that a fellow Saudi purchased a car number plate for $1.7 million. “But I guess you know what they say: you can’t buy good taste,” he writes.
Egypt: Annapolis Adieu
"Annapolis, Annapolis, this name is haunting me everywhere I go - in newspapers and blogs and on TV. For me, Annapolis seems to be a Greek city near The Acropolis, or something. But the truth is, it is an American city where a peace conference was held between the Arabs, Israelis, and Americans," writes Tarek Amr, who gives us a new perspective on the peace talks.
