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Stories about West Asia & North Africa from September, 2014
In War-Torn Aleppo, There's No Place Like Home
Displaced, like many Syrians, as a result of the ongoing conflict, Marcell Shehwaro reflects on her ongoing search for home.
Egypt’s Escalating War on Gays Just Landed 6 Men Behind Bars for 2 Years
While Egypt doesn't have a specific law to prosecute same-sex relationships, the government has been vicious in its crackdown on gays under vague laws such as committing "indecency" and "debauchery."
#WithSyria Wants to End the Indiscriminate Bombing of Syrian Civilians
#withSyria campaign wants the world leaders to hear and act through 100K signatures to effectively stop the indiscriminate attacks of Syrians civilians. Help us by spreading the word.
The Heartbreaking Story of Palestinian Football Comes Into Focus, as Israel's Bid for UEFA 2020 Fails
Whether or not the BDS campaign influenced UEFA's decision is unclear. But it succeeded in highlighting the plight of Palestinian football which has repeatedly suffered from Israeli restrictions.
Images of Horror: Who Decides What We See Online?
In a "cameras everywhere" world, we must pay close attention to the decisions platforms like YouTube that are often responsible for deciding what we see -- and what we don't.
Egyptian Leftist Activist Mahinour El-Masry Freed after Spending 125 Days in Jail
Egyptian activist Mahinour El-Masry was ordered to be released today after spending 125 days in prison for breaking the country's controversial no protest law.
Iranian Judiciary Sets 1-Month Deadline to Block Viber
Iranian judiciary has set a one-month deadline for Hassan Rohani's government to block or to control messaging applications Viber, WhatsApp and TangoMe. Iran judiciary sets 1-month deadline for communications ministry to block...
Bahraini Human Rights Activist Maryam Al Khawaja Is Released From Prison While She Awaits Trial
Maryam Al Khawaja was arrested when she tried to enter the country to visit her jailed father, who is on his 27th day of a hunger strike.
Turkey's ‘School of Nature': Reminding Us of What We Forgot
Doğa Okulu, Turkey's 'School of Nature', is a model of cooperation between activists, local communities and local government. In seven months the school has already done a lot of teaching.
Nearly 70% of Young Iranians Use Illegal Internet Circumvention Tools
According to Iran’s list of Computer Crimes, the distribution of both circumvention technology and instructions to use such tools are both illegal. Violating these laws can result in severe punishment.
Egyptian Blogger Alaa Abd El Fattah Released on Bail
Prominent Egyptian activist and blogger Alaa Abd El Fattah was released on bail today but the road to justice is a long and bumpy one, says netizens.
Shortly Before Her Death, Lebanese Student Sara Khatib Gave an Inspiring Tedx Talk About Her Battle With Cancer
"I chose not to be Sara Khatib, the cancer patient and amputee, but to continue being Sara Khatib, the fourth-year pharmacy student who [...] just happens to have cancer"
Russia Cracks Down on Internet Free Speech, Except When It's ISIS
The Internet army of the "Islamic State," having lost some of its battles in the West, is now allegedly recruiting and fundraising on the Russian social network VKontakte.
Lebanon Blocks Six Porn Sites, Sparks Fears of Further Censorship
Internet users worry that the decision, made by the Ministry of Justice, could lead the government down a slippery slope to greater censorship.
Lebanon Is Deporting Locally Born Children of Migrant Workers, Human Rights Groups Say
Children of certain categories of migrant workers born in Lebanon will no longer be allowed to reside in the country. NGOs speak out against the decision.
The Iranian Government Is Blocking Unregistered News Sites
Iranian news sites that do comply with registration requirements will receive a government subsidy.
‘You Will Do Anything for Ratings': More Outrage over the Wife Killer ‘Star’ of Turkish Daytime TV
With homicides against women increasing in Turkey, a female chat show host is taking heat for giving more air time to an overnight wife killer celebrity.
Confessions of an Angry Iranian
Iranian Political satirist Kambiz Hosseini on anger, the Islamic Republic and why his therapist made him buy a satellite dish.
Vigils in Australia for an Iranian Asylum Seeker Who Died After Getting Sick in a Detention Centre
An Iranian asylum seeker Hamid Kehazaei has been declared brain dead after suffering septicaemia from an infection contracted while in offshore detention. Many Australians have responded with compassion or anger.
The Funeral That Brought Syria's Revolutionaries to a Church with Red Roses
Christians, Muslims, family members and revolutionary comrades gather at church in Aleppo, Syria for Marcell Shehwaro's mother's funeral. How to make it a space that preserves the dignity of all?
A Former Parliament Member Says His Plan Will Heal Egypt's Political Wounds, But Critics Aren't So Sure
Muhammed ElOmda proposed his plan days after being released from prison, where he has been since his arrest during a brutal crackdown on supporters of ousted President Morsi.
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