Save Syria's Threatened Heritage Sites

Alongside the mounting death toll, a massacre is being perpetrated against Syria's heritage. Little is being said about this issue in both mainstream and social media, writes Thalia Rahme.

Lebanese Tourism Pays the Ultimate Price

Recent political upheavals in the region and kidnappings in Lebanon have made tourists, mainly Gulf nationals, flee the country. Lebanese and Gulf netizens react to the development.

Lebanon: At Odds with the Smoking Ban

As of September 3rd, smoking will be prohibited in public transportation, work places and closed public places, including coffee shops and restaurants. Mohammad Hijazi explains that the law is unrealistic and that its enforcement will;

Generate a drop of roughly $282 million in revenues, representing 7.1% of GDP in the hospitality sector and lead to a loss of about 2600 full-time jobs.

Lebanon: Awaiting the Pope's Visit in September

The head of the Catholic Church Benedict XVI is to visit Lebanon from September 14 to 16. Father Alex, from Germany, hopes the visit is not late for the region and asks: Which situation we will see in 1 month there? Let's hope and pray #Syria. For more details about...

Lebanon: It's Back to Kidnapping Time

A wave of kidnappings is taking place between Lebanon and Syria. While the Lebanese government seems incapable of acting, these events are reminding Lebanese of the civil war they lived with for 30 years. Netizens are angry and are blaming all parties.

Syria: Ali Farzat Insults Al Arabia Anchor for her Sect

Al Arabiya correspondent Alia Ibrahim was allegedly insulted by famous Syrian cartoonist Ali Farzat for her sect. What happened saddened Syrian activist Mohammed Al Abdallah [ar] who apologized on the behalf of Farzat.  Asa'ad Abu Khalil blogged about Farzat, saying: “The man has now exposed himself to be a petty,...

Yemen: Open letter to president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Al-Hadi

Yemeni-Canadian Doctor and novelist Dr Qais Ghanem addressed a letter to the Yemeni president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Al-Hadi asking him to sack the officers controlling the armed forces. The full text of the letter is available here [ar].

Saudi Arabia: Defending the Virtue of Syrian Women?

On August 11, Bader Al Domiat from Saudi Arabia tweeted a message saying there were around 300 Syrian widows looking for husbands. The message caused outrage among Saudi netizens who apologized from their Syrian brothers and harshly condemned Al Domiat, who immediately suspended his account.

Saudi Arabia: Reaching the Line of Gender Equality

While saluting the decision of Saudi Arabia to send two female athletes to the London Olympics, the Saudi Women Driving  deplores the fact that Saudi women cannot drive. “The whole world has been watching Saudi women and their triumphant appearance at the Olympics, and most news stories about them mention that...

Mauritania: Demanding an End to Military Rule

Mauritanians took to the streets in a massive march calling for the end of their country's military rule. The march, on June 23, 2012, was organised by the Coordination of Democratic Opposition (COD). It started near the Youth Centre in the capital Nouakchott, passing by the Security Directorate and the Palace of Justice, where participants chanted for the fall of the ruling regime. The day ended with a popular rally. Ahmed Jeddou reports.

Mauritania: The Day Ould Taya was Toppled

Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya ruled Mauritania for more than 20 years following a military coup he initiated against his predecessor Mohamed Khouna Ould Haidallah, on December 12, 1984. In 2005, he was toppled. Remembering Ould Taya's ousting, netizens share some of their memories and impressions on that day.

Mauritania: Bribery and String-Pulling, Made in China

"The Chinese accused of bribing escaped any legal pursuit. What matters is, as far as I know, that he is the first civil servant to report a bribery case in Mauritania." After three Chinese investors tried to bribe him, Mauritania's General Director of Taxation locked them in his office and called the police.

Jordan: “When Monaliza Smiled” a step towards World Cinema

The makers of the movie “When Monaliza Smiled” presented their cinema experience to the public in a special screening in the Jordanian capital, Amman, recently. The comedy relates a love story between Monaliza, a young Jordanian woman, and Hamdi, the Egyptian courier. Jordanian bloggers react to the movie.

Tunisia: Activist Lina Ben Mhenni Attacked by Police

When Tunisian activist and blogger Ben Mhenni attended a pacifist sit-in to protest against the Ennahda-led government in the capital Tunis on August 5, 2012, the last thing she expected was to be savagely beaten by those who are supposed to preserve law and order. The police and not just one but 10 of them attacked her. In a blog post entitled "Assaulted by the cops", Ben Mhenni recounts her story.

Mauritania: Head of Supreme Court Rejects His Dismissal

Mauritania has been witnessing a wave of mounting protests calling for the toppling of the military regime. According to the opposition [ar], the military rule is against the existence of an institutional state in addition to its attempts to tame justice. Meanwhile, the head of the Mauritanian Supreme Court, Seyid Ould Ghailani, has rejected the decision discharging him from his function prior to the end of his mandate. Ghailani considered this decree as a coup against justice and an outrageous interference in the work of the judicial power by the executive one.

Mauritania: Mining Workers Protest ‘New Kind of Slavery’

More than 2,300 laborers are protesting in the Mauritanian northern mining city of Zouerat, which has led to complete paralysis at some ten National Mining and Industrial Company sites, in addition to disrupting work in other locations. The demands centre around a pay dispute.