Stories about Saudi Arabia from January, 2009
Arab World: “We Stopped Saying Israel…”
A message on Twitter calling upon Arabs to stop saying Israel has snowballed into a movement across the Arab world, in this latest twist of the ongoing online war following the Israeli bombing of Gaza. Anas Qtiesh reports from the front lines.
Iran: The news that we don't hear in Tehran
Freekyboard, an Iranian blogger, says [fa] “we are not going to hear the following news in Iran: The Iraqi journalist who hurled his shoes at US President George W Bush is seeking asylum in Switzerland and Saudi Arabia pays one billion dollar to help reconstruct the Gaza Strip.”
Saudi Arabia: Young activist faces social condemnation
Saudi Arabia is a conservative society, and when individuals act in ways that challenge convention, not only might they face harsh criticism, but so might their families. A young activist called Amna Fatani has experienced such condemnation recently, and some Saudi bloggers have offered her their moral support.
Middle East: Boycott as a Political Weapon
Many people across the Middle East have decided to boycott Israeli and American products in response to the Israeli war on Gaza. Tarek Amr reviews what bloggers have to say about this.
Egypt: Al Jazeera or Al Arabiya
Zeinobia compares here between Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya news channels, elaborating on why she hates Al Arabiya more than Al Jazeera.
Saudi Arabia: A boycott that might work
Crossroads Arabia reports on a call by Saudi women to boycott lingerie shops that refuse their demand to hire women – an initiative backed by the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Saudi Arabia: Thoughts on the inauguration
Saudi blogger Hala, who currently lives in the United States, has posted her thoughts on Obama's inauguration: “For those of us who think it’s possible to see democracy in our part of the world, check the emphasis on holding government officials accountable, can we have such a system in our...
Bahrain: Why is God not Saving Palestinians?
American Coolred38, who lives in Bahrain, asks: “In your opinion…is it safe to assume…that the millions of prayers sent to God by Muslims asking for Palestinians to be saved and for the genocide to stop once and for all have fallen on deaf ears…but prayers sent out with hopes of...
Syria: Arab Leaders Can't Come Together, Not Even into a Room
As the aggression on Gaza enters its third week, Arab Leaders fail to agree on the need of holding an emergency summit for the member countries of the Arab League which Qatar and Syria have called for. Syrian bloggers are outraged at the political ping-pong going on that highlights what could be described as the greatest political divide in recent Arab history.
Arab World: “Why the Children of Gaza Don't Deserve to Die?”
As the death toll from the Israeli war on Gaza climbs, bloggers from around the Arab world share their thoughts on Palestine, Arab nationalism and why the children of Gaza don't deserve to die. Here are some reflections from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Syria.
Saudi Arabia: The Biggest Irony
Eman Al Nafjan discussed the biggest irony in the history of Humanity. In her point of view, the West calls Arabs terrorists and all the real terror started when Western countries supported Zionists in creating a Jewish state out of thin air. She also answers a reader who objected her...
Saudi Arabia: Saudi women and their drivers
American Bedu talks about one of the cultural contradictions in the Saudi society. She takes the relationship between Saudi women and their drivers as an example.
Saudi Arabia: Matrook al-Faleh free again
Prof. Matrook al-Faleh, who was arrested last May, has been released from jail. According to Saudi Jeans, Al-Faleh was arrested after criticizing the poor situation of Buraida General Prison where his fellow activist Abdullah al-Hamed was jailed until last September after he completed a six-month sentence there.
Saudi Arabia: Who is to blame for Gaza?
As in the rest of the Arab world, Saudi Arabia's blogs have been full of commentary on the events in Gaza. However, there is no consensus as to who is politically responsible.
Saudi Arabia: The stigma of AIDS
American Bedu discusses the stigma of AIDS in Saudi Arabia: “Saudis who have been diagnosed with AIDS are literally banished. There are several well guarded secure facilities in Saudi Arabia where AIDS patients are taken and admitted.”
