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Stories about West Asia & North Africa from March, 2012
Iran: Earth Hour celebrated in Tehran
Iranians are going to celebrate the “Earth Hour” today Saturday 31st of March. Here in this Farsi-language website, Iranians are organizing the “Earth Hour” events, including turning-off lights for an...
Bahrain: Tweeting Against Formula 1
As Bahrain gears up to host the Grand Prix, from April 20 to 22, netizens are rallying for the cancellation of the car race claiming that human rights violations are still continuing against protesters seeking more democratic rights in the Arab country. Mona Kareem sheds light on one Twitter campaign to draw attention to this.
Kuwait: Call to Kill the “Infidel” Twitter User
A Kuwaiti Twitter user has been detained, pending investigation, over a tweet in which he allegedly insulted Prophet Mohammed. The issue is taking a sectarian twist in Kuwait as the Twitter user Hamad Al-Naqi denies the charges, claiming that his account was hacked, while others charge that it is a Shiite attack on Sunni Islam. Meanwhile, a protest was held calling for the Twitter user to be killed for his alleged blasphemy.
Algeria: 2012 Election Watchdog launched by Internet Activists
With the upcoming Algerian Legislative Election scheduled for May 10, 2012, one of the many elections taking place in 2012 [fr] within the continent of Africa, a collaborative website called...
Tunisia: Bloggers Help Draft the Constitution
On October 23rd, 2011, Tunisians elected an assembly to draft its new constitution, following the toppling of the Ben Ali regime. Now, five months later, the assembly has just started studying the draft proposals. Yet, disagreements about the first article of the constitution is slowing down the work of the assembly and Islam and the Arab identity are at the heart of debates nationwide. Netizens are chipping in to help bridge the gap.
Syria: A Year On, From Beirut With Love
On March15, the Syrian revolution completed its first year with the same level of determination that marked its beginning. Protests in different cities around the world expressed their support to the revolution while Beirut wanted to announce its support in its own way. This post explains how activists expressed their love to the Syrian revolution on Beirut walls.
Egypt: The Abou Ismail Poster Frenzy
Preparations are in full swing for the presidential elections in Egypt, set for May 23 and 24, 2012, with candidates' election posters already up on the streets. But when it comes to Hazem Salah Abou-Ismail, he sure beats all the rest in the poster frenzy. His posters are almost seen almost everywhere. Netizens grasp the opportunity to make fun of the poster bonanza.
Kuwait: Could a Hash Tag Send Twitter Users to Prison?
As in any country with netizens using Twitter, hash tags are created every day, every hour and somne times even every few minutes. In Kuwait, one user created a hash tag #بطارية (battery in Arabic) and all hell broke loose. Kuwaiti blogger Abdullatif AlOmar tells us why.
Iran: Does Easing Internet Sanctions Make Any Difference?
The U.S. Department of Treasury is easing sanctions on a list of Internet services including Yahoo Messanger, Google Talk, and Skype. Although welcoming of the news, Iranians are showing only lukewarm enthusiasm.
Palestine: Gazans Suffer Due to Fuel and Electricity Shortage
Over the past decade, the words “Gaza” and “crisis” have become almost complementary. The crises have ranged from war and military raids and invasions, to military occupation, and in this case to an electricity and fuel outage.
Jordan: One Year On, Tensions Building Up
It's March 24th, 2012 - a year after the weekend that shocked Jordan domestically, further exacerbating a lethargic reform effort. It is the anniversary of the weekend when a diverse group of Jordanians took to the streets of Amman with the intent of open peaceful protest and were met with a counter group that called itself 'Home Calling' (Nidaa Watan).
Saudi Arabia: Qatif Protest to Demand “Rights”
Revolution2East posts on YouTube this video from a protest in Qatif, Saudi Arabia, in which protesters, who include women, chant that they will not give up on demanding their rights.
Arab World: Netizens Turn to Twitter to Complain About Dust
A massive sandstorm hit the Gulf region, disrupting air traffic in Yemen, and closing schools in Saudi Arabia. Netizens from Yemen, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar turned to Twitter to complain.
Arab World: Happy Mother's Day – Tribute to Martyrs’ Mothers
The Arab world marks Mother's Day today, March 21. On social networking sites, netizens send out congratulations to their mothers on the day. They also remember the mothers of the thousands of martyrs killed by the authorities as they protested against dictatorship in this so-called Arab Spring.
Lebanon : Mothers’ Day Event in the Absence of Prisoners Detained in Syria
Various organisations demanding the liberation of Lebanese prisoners detained in Syria are organising an event in the “Tent of the Families of the Missing and Detained” on Lebanese Mothers’ Day, today, 21st...
Iran: Jailed blogger released on bail
Mehdi Khazali,blogger and publisher, has been released from jail on bail. You can see here his photos before and after hunger strike.
Iran: Iranians react to Obama's Nowruz message
President Obama's Nowruz message to Iranians has been visited more than 62000 times in YouTube. Iranians wrote different comments for this message, from praising Obama to criticize sanctions.
Iranians to Israelis: “We Are Your Friends”
An Israeli Facebook campaign to say to Iranians “We will never bomb your country. We love you.” has received an answer from Iranians in the form a corresponding Facebook initiative that says to Israelis, “We are your friends.”
Libya: Libyan Memes
What are Libyans laughing about on social networking sites? Check out this Facebook page to keep abreast with Libyan memes.
Jordan: 50 Things to do in Amman
Jordanian blogger Roba Al Assi shares a list of 50 things to do in Amman this month.
Egypt: Women's Right to Divorce Debated in Parliament
The performance of the new Egyptian Parliament continues to stir debate on social media sites. The new parliament was seen as a move towards to democracy. However, the parliament continues to discuss matters that seem irrelevant to the country’s most pressing needs. Now, MPs are discussing a request to strip women of their right to file for a divorce.
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