I look forward to reading this.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Cyber Culture Studies: Palestinian E-Resistance
I look forward to reading this.
KSA Comedy
New York Times, In Saudi Arabia, Comedy Cautiously Pushes Limits, 12 Jun 2011 another one picked up from the Observer
"Two have established wildly popular shows on YouTube — not least because the Web has emerged as the one public space in the kingdom where it is O.K. to endorse the Arab uprisings. Comedy nights have just switched to Arabic from English, broadening their appeal, and comedians have even been asked to entertain at Koran conferences."
Here's a sample (plenty more on the YouTube page):
"Two have established wildly popular shows on YouTube — not least because the Web has emerged as the one public space in the kingdom where it is O.K. to endorse the Arab uprisings. Comedy nights have just switched to Arabic from English, broadening their appeal, and comedians have even been asked to entertain at Koran conferences."
Here's a sample (plenty more on the YouTube page):
iMuslims Arabic version
I learnt at the weekend that the Arabic version of iMuslims has now been printed. I will provide full details and links as they arrive (haven't seen it yet!).
'U.S. Underwrites Internet Detour Around Censors'
NY Times, U.S. Underwrites Internet Detour Around Censors, 12 June 2011 [picked up via yesterday's Observer]
"In one of the most ambitious efforts, United States officials say, the State Department and Pentagon have spent at least $50 million to create an independent cellphone network in Afghanistan using towers on protected military bases inside the country. It is intended to offset the Taliban’s ability to shut down the official Afghan services, seemingly at will.
"The effort has picked up momentum since the government of President Hosni Mubarak shut down the Egyptian Internet in the last days of his rule. In recent days, the Syrian government also temporarily disabled much of that country’s Internet, which had helped protesters mobilize."
In relation to this, I found Deutsche Welle, Austrian 'FunkFeuer' helps American 'Internet-in-a-suitcase' project, 17 Jun 2011 "An Austrian wireless networking project that plants Wi-Fi antennae across rooftops is a key element in an American government "liberation technology" project designed to circumvent and thwart Internet filters, censorship and surveillance."
Sounds interesting. When I've got more time, I'll provide some further information.
"In one of the most ambitious efforts, United States officials say, the State Department and Pentagon have spent at least $50 million to create an independent cellphone network in Afghanistan using towers on protected military bases inside the country. It is intended to offset the Taliban’s ability to shut down the official Afghan services, seemingly at will.
"The effort has picked up momentum since the government of President Hosni Mubarak shut down the Egyptian Internet in the last days of his rule. In recent days, the Syrian government also temporarily disabled much of that country’s Internet, which had helped protesters mobilize."
In relation to this, I found Deutsche Welle, Austrian 'FunkFeuer' helps American 'Internet-in-a-suitcase' project, 17 Jun 2011 "An Austrian wireless networking project that plants Wi-Fi antennae across rooftops is a key element in an American government "liberation technology" project designed to circumvent and thwart Internet filters, censorship and surveillance."
Sounds interesting. When I've got more time, I'll provide some further information.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
A Very Odd Al Qaeda 'Hit List'
The Atlantic Wire, A Very Odd Al Qaeda 'Hit List' - Global, 17 Jun 2011 "On Thursday, ABC News reported that the FBI and Department of Homeland Security were alerting various government officials about a terrorist "hit list" posted on jihadi websites targeting prominent U.S. politicians, military officials and members of the media."
Here's the ABC News report
Here's the ABC News report
"Why is Indonesia so in love with the Blackberry?"
BBC News - Direct, Why is Indonesia so in love with the Blackberry?, 15 Jun 2011 "Internet guru Onno Purbo believes Indonesian fans see the Blackberry as the trendier, flashier gadget."
'The Taliban's Media jihad'
Christopher Anzalone, The AfPak Channel, Foreign Policy, The Taliban's Media jihad, 17 Jun 2011 "Differences in media distribution also highlight that there remain significant ideological and tactical differences between the TTP and the Afghan Taliban. Although both the TTP and Afghan Taliban network centered, at least symbolically, on Mullah Muhammad Omar maintain independent media capabilities, the latter has held onto a much more thoroughly independent media apparatus and has not formed a close relationship with or released media through As-Sahab. The Afghan Taliban's media network includes several regularly-updated web sites and monthly Internet magazines, as well as in-house media production organs, chief among them Al-Emarah (The Emirate) Studio."
Useful article, well worth reading.
Useful article, well worth reading.
"Tunisian Islamists challenge open internet"
Magharebia.com, Tunisian Islamists challenge open internet, 19 Jun 2011: "A recent court ruling in Tunisia ordering internet filtering is raising concerns of a potential return to censorship."
Pakistan internet filtering
Daily Times - Plea to control circulation of obscene literature on Internet: "Justice Malik Shehzad Ahmed Khan of the Lahore High Court (LHC), on Friday, issued notice to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and Ministry of Religious Affairs on a petition filed in LHC requesting to direct the minister of telecommunications to control circulation of obscene literature on Internet."
Activists Using Video to Bear Witness in Syria
Liam Stack, NYT, Activists Using Video to Bear Witness in Syria, 18 Jun 2011 "or many, their cameras started to roll at the dawn of the protest movement in mid-March. Mr. Saeb used to record protests and uploaded the video using a dial-up modem. That was until he lost Internet service several weeks ago when the government cut it off in Jisr al-Shoughour and the surrounding countryside, he said.
"He and the others then moved to the border zone. Here, people are as likely to speak Turkish as Arabic, and cellphones are as likely to pick up a signal from Turkcell as from Syriatel, a telecom giant owned until recently by a cousin of President Bashar al-Assad, which cut off mobile Internet 3G service here weeks ago."
"He and the others then moved to the border zone. Here, people are as likely to speak Turkish as Arabic, and cellphones are as likely to pick up a signal from Turkcell as from Syriatel, a telecom giant owned until recently by a cousin of President Bashar al-Assad, which cut off mobile Internet 3G service here weeks ago."
Friday, June 17, 2011
#women2drive
AP/Daily Star Lebanon, Saudi women begin challenge to driving ban, 17 Jun 2011 "A campaign to defy Saudi Arabia's ban on women driving opened Friday with reports of some female motorists getting behind the wheel amid calls for sustained challenges to the restrictions in the ultraconservative kingdom." See #women2drive for updates
Also check
Radhika Marya, Mashable, Saudi Women Ready To Defy Driving Ban, Fueled by Social Media, 17 Jun 2011
Also check
Radhika Marya, Mashable, Saudi Women Ready To Defy Driving Ban, Fueled by Social Media, 17 Jun 2011
'Young Pakistanis using the Web to push for change'
Nahal Toosi, AP/ArabNews, Young Pakistanis using the Web to push for change, "Meet Pakistan’s “Teeth Maestro,” a dentist who uses his blog to get to the root of the country’s many pains. One day it might be trigger-happy soldiers. Another day it’s corrupt bureaucrats. Sometimes, it’s US meddling.
"The Teeth Maestro is among a growing group of bloggers, tweeters and others using the Web to influence Pakistani society and government."
"The Teeth Maestro is among a growing group of bloggers, tweeters and others using the Web to influence Pakistani society and government."
"iRevolution: Online Warriors of the Arab Spring"
Scott Bronstein, CNN Special Investigations Unit, For Egyptian online warrior, father's torture fueled activism, 16 Jun 2011 "CNN correspondent Amber Lyon traveled to Tunisia, Egypt and Bahrain to interview some of the young Internet activists who have fueled the recent revolutions and protests there. The result, the hourlong documentary "iRevolution: Online Warriors of the Arab Spring," premieres Sunday, June 19, 8 p.m. ET & PT. It will re-air Saturday, June 25, at 8 p.m. and 11p.m."
Refers to Tahrir Diaries
Refers to Tahrir Diaries
Ghana: sermon from Sheikh Hussein Idris Molah
Ghana News Agency, Muslims enjoined to desist from usage of drugs, 12 Jun 2011 "Sheikh Idris Molah advised Muslim parents not to close their eyes against the negative practices of Muslim youth, who indulge in ‘Sakawa’ (Internet Fraud), get rich quick attitude, western cultures and indecent dressing but rather to continue to admonish them to lead decent lifestyles. "
Syria: Crackdown Continues
Amira Al Hussaini, globalvoicesonline.org, Syria: Crackdown Continues Despite International Outcry, 15 June 2011 "On Twitter, netizens continue to follow and react to developments on the ground."
'After ‘Amina’: Thoughts From Cairo – OpEd'
Scott Long/Mondoweiss, eurasiareview.com, After ‘Amina’: Thoughts From Cairo – OpEd "It’s worth wondering, then, what underlies the reception of Amina’s story. That individual disappointment may be the point to start. It has a long resonance."
Philippines: Facebook helps education
sunstar.com.ph, Facebook helps send Zamboanga kids to school, 16 Jun 2011
"THANKS to Facebook -- coupled with concerned netizens of the World Wide Web, 34 poor Christian and Muslim kids in Zamboanga City are going to school as scholars this year and thousands more will get to read books, use free computers and study in a private library in a far-flung place hardly reached by the Internet."
"THANKS to Facebook -- coupled with concerned netizens of the World Wide Web, 34 poor Christian and Muslim kids in Zamboanga City are going to school as scholars this year and thousands more will get to read books, use free computers and study in a private library in a far-flung place hardly reached by the Internet."
BBC Arabic online traffic
ArabCrunch, (List) 10 Insights: How the Arab Spring Affected BBC Arabic Online Audience Growth & Behavior #AAMT2011 just picked up this traffic analysis/summary
Thursday, June 16, 2011
KSA: Women2drive
SMH, Saudi women to break driving ban en masse, 15 Jun 2011
"Their Facebook campaign, dubbed Women2drive, says the action will start on Friday and keep going "until a royal decree allowing women to drive is issued" in the ultra-conservative kingdom -- the only country where women face such a ban."
Also see Mai Yamani, todayonline.com, Will Saudi women be the next driving force?, 15 Jun 2011 "Saudi rulers have announced that demonstrations are haram - a sin punishable by jail and flogging. Now some clerics have pronounced driving by women to be foreign-inspired haram, punishable in the same way.
"Yet, despite such threats, thousands of Saudi women joined "We are all Manal Al Sharif" on Facebook, and countless other videos of women driving have appeared on YouTube since her arrest."
"Their Facebook campaign, dubbed Women2drive, says the action will start on Friday and keep going "until a royal decree allowing women to drive is issued" in the ultra-conservative kingdom -- the only country where women face such a ban."
Also see Mai Yamani, todayonline.com, Will Saudi women be the next driving force?, 15 Jun 2011 "Saudi rulers have announced that demonstrations are haram - a sin punishable by jail and flogging. Now some clerics have pronounced driving by women to be foreign-inspired haram, punishable in the same way.
"Yet, despite such threats, thousands of Saudi women joined "We are all Manal Al Sharif" on Facebook, and countless other videos of women driving have appeared on YouTube since her arrest."
Tajikistan: BBC reporter detained for membership of 'extreme Islamic group'
Richard Orange, Telegraph, Tajikistan: BBC reporter detained for membership of 'extreme Islamic group', 16 Jun 2011 ""BBC radio correspondent Urunbay Usmonov, 50, was detained for membership in the illegal movement Hizb ut-Tahrir," Makhmadullo Asadulloyev, a spokesman for the interior ministry in the former Soviet republic, confirmed on Wednesday.
"Mr Usmonov "was engaged in extremist propaganda and campaigning for the movement on the internet," he added."
"Mr Usmonov "was engaged in extremist propaganda and campaigning for the movement on the internet," he added."
Abu Bakar Bashir
CNN, Radical Indonesian cleric sentenced to 15 years in prison, 16 Jun 2011 "An Indonesian court sentenced radical cleric Abu Bakar Bashir to 15 years in prison on Thursday.
"Bashir was convicted of influencing others to provide funds with the objective they be used or likely to be used for terrorism acts."
"Bashir was convicted of influencing others to provide funds with the objective they be used or likely to be used for terrorism acts."
Iran cyber command
xinhuanet.com, Iran's armed forces to launch "cyber command": commander, 15 Jun 2011
"Deputy head of Iran's Armed Forces Joint Chiefs of Staff Brigadier General Masoud Jazayeri announced Iran plans to establish its first cyber command for the country's armed forces in order to counter soft warfare against the Islamic Republic, the English language satellite Press TV reported on Wednesday."
"Deputy head of Iran's Armed Forces Joint Chiefs of Staff Brigadier General Masoud Jazayeri announced Iran plans to establish its first cyber command for the country's armed forces in order to counter soft warfare against the Islamic Republic, the English language satellite Press TV reported on Wednesday."
Twitter arrests
Arab Times, Bahrain royal sues a Kuwaiti man for twitter comments, 12 Jun 2011 "A member of the Bahraini ruling family Sheikh Abdullah Mohammad bin Ahmad Al-Fatih Al-Khalifa has announced that he is suing a Kuwaiti man, Nasser Abul, for slandering and defaming his family. Abul allegedly posted unflattering remarks about the Bahraini ruling family on his Twitter homepage."
TG Daily, Kuwaiti man arrested for anti-Saudi tweets
TG Daily, Kuwaiti man arrested for anti-Saudi tweets
Ayman al-Zawahiri
CNN, Jihadist websites: Ayman al-Zawahiri appointed al Qaeda's new leader, 16 June 2011 "The statement cannot be authenticated by CNN, but it appeared on radical Islamist sites known for posting similar statements and recruitment videos by other al Qaeda figures.
""Hereby the General Command of the Qaida al-Jihad -- and after the end of the consultations -- we declare that Sheikh Dr. Abu Muhammad Ayman al-Zawahiri (May God bless him) will take over the responsibility of command of the group," the statement said."
""Hereby the General Command of the Qaida al-Jihad -- and after the end of the consultations -- we declare that Sheikh Dr. Abu Muhammad Ayman al-Zawahiri (May God bless him) will take over the responsibility of command of the group," the statement said."
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
‘Cyber warfare against Iran will inflict heavy defeat on West’
Tehran Times, ‘Cyber warfare against Iran will inflict heavy defeat on West’, 15 June 2011 "Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ramin Mehmanparast has said that the United States will suffer a heavy defeat if it wages a cyber warfare against Iran. "
'A Gay Girl in Damascus' - hoax exposed
Kira Cochrane, Guardian, The weird world of the lesbian hoaxers, 14 June 2011 "Why did a heterosexual, married man pose as a lesbian online on the blog A Gay Girl in Damascus? It's more about power than sexual kicks."
For the record, the above is a summary of the case of 'A Gay Girl in Damascus' - which I posted about last week. 'Amina Abdallah Araf al Omari' turns out to be Tom MacMaster, a man from Scotland. I'm sure that this fictionalised blog has done a great deal of damage to causes in Syria and beyond. Kira Cochrane provides a good summary of the complexities of this. There's plenty of commentary elsewhere. For example, Thomas Walkom, Toronto Star, Walkom: Damascus hoax shows how easy it is to manipulate new media, Telegraph, 'A Gay Girl in Damascus': how the hoax unfolded, 13 June 2011, and Brian Whitaker, Guardian, Gay Girl in Damascus was an arrogant fantasy, 13 June 2011, in which Mr Whitaker makes this valuable point: "However MacMaster tries to justify it, he should have called a halt as soon as it started to get out of hand. Living a fantasy life on your own blog is one thing, but giving an interview to CNN while posing as a representative of the region's gay people appears arrogant and offensive, and surely a prime example of the "liberal Orientalism" that MacMaster claims to decry."
For the record, the above is a summary of the case of 'A Gay Girl in Damascus' - which I posted about last week. 'Amina Abdallah Araf al Omari' turns out to be Tom MacMaster, a man from Scotland. I'm sure that this fictionalised blog has done a great deal of damage to causes in Syria and beyond. Kira Cochrane provides a good summary of the complexities of this. There's plenty of commentary elsewhere. For example, Thomas Walkom, Toronto Star, Walkom: Damascus hoax shows how easy it is to manipulate new media, Telegraph, 'A Gay Girl in Damascus': how the hoax unfolded, 13 June 2011, and Brian Whitaker, Guardian, Gay Girl in Damascus was an arrogant fantasy, 13 June 2011, in which Mr Whitaker makes this valuable point: "However MacMaster tries to justify it, he should have called a halt as soon as it started to get out of hand. Living a fantasy life on your own blog is one thing, but giving an interview to CNN while posing as a representative of the region's gay people appears arrogant and offensive, and surely a prime example of the "liberal Orientalism" that MacMaster claims to decry."
Sunday, June 12, 2011
UN silent in protecting Syrians from government | Full Comment | National Post
Peter Goodspeed: UN silent in protecting Syrians from government | Full Comment | National Post: "While diplomats dither over the correct way to admonish the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, the Internet has been filled with pictures of corpses, mutilated teenage torture victims and panicked crowds seeking shelter from snipers."
Syria
CNN.com, Report: Military vehicles storm Syrian town, 12 Jun 2011 "Many have fled "the Syrian government's military offensive" in Jisr al-Shugur, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said in a statement condemning the violence Sunday. In an earlier interview, he called on the U.N. Security Council to take a stand.
""I do believe it is time for the Security Council to make a clear statement of the kind that we're advocating calling on the Syrian Government to respond to legitimate grievances, to release prisoners of conscience, to open up access to the Internet and to cooperate with the U.N. high commissioner on human rights," he told Sky News Sunday."
""I do believe it is time for the Security Council to make a clear statement of the kind that we're advocating calling on the Syrian Government to respond to legitimate grievances, to release prisoners of conscience, to open up access to the Internet and to cooperate with the U.N. high commissioner on human rights," he told Sky News Sunday."
KSA Surfers
Arjuwan Lakkdawala, Arab News, Net gain: Surfers counter online anti-Islam propaganda with facts, 10 Jun 2011 "Many Internet surfers say that there is an online propaganda to taint Islam by spreading lies, with many non-Muslims being misguided.
"In response to this, they try to rectify lies posted about Islam in online forums, blogs, chatrooms and on newspaper sites."
"In response to this, they try to rectify lies posted about Islam in online forums, blogs, chatrooms and on newspaper sites."
Friday, June 10, 2011
"A Conversation With Saudi Women's Rights Campaigner Wajeha al-Huwaider"
Katha Pollitt, The Nation, A Conversation With Saudi Women's Rights Campaigner Wajeha al-Huwaider, 8 Jun 2011 "Wajeha al-Huwaider is perhaps the best-known Saudi campaigner for women’s rights, human rights and democracy. She has protested energetically against the kingdom’s lack of formal laws (the Koran is it) and basic freedoms and in particular against the guardianship system, under which every female, from birth to death, needs the permission of a male relative to make decisions in all important areas of life—education, travel, marriage, employment, finances, even surgery. In 2008 a video of her driving a car, which is forbidden for women in Saudi Arabia, created a sensation when it was posted on YouTube. Al-Huwaider is a strong supporter of the June 17 Movement, which calls on Saudi women to start driving on that date, and made the celebrated YouTube video of its co-founder, Manal al-Sherif, jailed for nine days in May for driving."
Qom: print v. digital media
Iran Book News Agency, 14000 titles annually printed in Qom, 10 Jun 2011
""The first print industry exhibition of Qom is in pursuit of reveal the province's print industry potentials to other provinces and neighboring countries as well," he further added.
"Head of the organization of industries and minds of Qom province also addressed the audience in the ceremony saying that the province is the mother of the world of Islam and Shi'ism and that it should be a exemplary in all dimensions.
"Majid Avarifard expressed hope that the province will find its real foothold in the print industry of the country where internet websites tend to marginalize print industry and those involved in it should be cognizant of their progress lest the industry's doom is eminent."
""The first print industry exhibition of Qom is in pursuit of reveal the province's print industry potentials to other provinces and neighboring countries as well," he further added.
"Head of the organization of industries and minds of Qom province also addressed the audience in the ceremony saying that the province is the mother of the world of Islam and Shi'ism and that it should be a exemplary in all dimensions.
"Majid Avarifard expressed hope that the province will find its real foothold in the print industry of the country where internet websites tend to marginalize print industry and those involved in it should be cognizant of their progress lest the industry's doom is eminent."
"A gay girl in Damascus – or a cynical hoax?"
Esther Addley, Guardian, A gay girl in Damascus – or a cynical hoax?, 8 Jun 2011 update on previously blogged story
Thursday, June 09, 2011
Syria: Mystery surrounds 'Gay Girl in Damascus' blogger abduction
The Guardian, Syria: Mystery surrounds 'Gay Girl in Damascus' blogger abduction, 8 Jun 2011 "US embassy officials in Syria are urgently seeking to establish further details about Amina Abdallah Araf al Omari – who according to a post on her blog, A Gay Girl in Damascus, was abducted by security forces on Monday evening – as questions emerged over the identity of the blogger."
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
Ayman al-Zawahiri
Brian Ross, ABC News, Al Qaeda Deputy Surfaces: New Terror Leader?, 8 Jun 2011
"Appearing to assume the role as the new leader of al Qaeda, the former number two Ayman al-Zawahiri vowed to avenge the death of Osama bin Laden "blood for blood" in another day like 9/11, in a video posted on the internet Wednesday morning."
"Appearing to assume the role as the new leader of al Qaeda, the former number two Ayman al-Zawahiri vowed to avenge the death of Osama bin Laden "blood for blood" in another day like 9/11, in a video posted on the internet Wednesday morning."
Abu Dhabi Gallup Center, Egypt From Tahrir to Transition
Abu Dhabi Gallup Center, Egypt From Tahrir to Transition new research, includes poll finding "Egypt's uprising was not a Facebook revolution".
Iran’s plan for a second web
Martin Carstens, memeburn, Iran’s plan for a second web, 6 Jun 2011 "Pop quiz: As an internet user, what is the world’s worst country to live in? China with its Great Firewall comes to mind. Or perhaps Cuba, a country that until the end of Fidel Castro’s reign in 2008 outlawed laptop computers and mobile phones. But it is in fact the Islamic Republic of Iran — a country that is the biggest hellhole of internet censorship on the planet." Opinion piece.
Anwar al-Awlaki profile
Telegraph, Online preachers of hate: Anwar al-Awlaki, ‘bin Laden of the internet’, 7 Jun 2011 "Operating from Yemen, the US-born Islamic preacher has been dubbed the ‘bin Laden of the internet’ having been linked to numerous extremists charged with terrorism offences in Britain and elsewhere."
Overview
Overview
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
'Syrian blogger Amina Abdallah kidnapped by armed men'
Guardian, Syrian blogger Amina Abdallah kidnapped by armed men, 7 Jun 2011 "A blogger whose frank and witty thoughts on Syria's uprising, politics and being a lesbian in the country shot her to prominence was last night seized by armed men in Damascus."Amina Arraf, who blogged under the name Amina Abdallah, holds dual Syrian and American citizenship and is the author of the blog A Gay Girl in Damascus, which has drawn fans from Syria and across the world."
See 'A Gay Girl in Damascus' for the latest update. Also support Free Amina Abdalla on Facebook.
Social media influences documentary-makers
Meg Carter, Guardian, Social media influences documentary-makers, 6 Jun 2011
"With built-in video cameras now the norm for mobile phones, anyone can be a film-maker – a fact proven by the role social content played in TV news coverage of the recent uprisings in the Middle East. As the dust settles, however, social media is influencing documentary-makers, too."
Not sure the dust has settled yet, but it's an interesting article. Reference is made to #18DaysInEgypt and One Day on Earth.
"With built-in video cameras now the norm for mobile phones, anyone can be a film-maker – a fact proven by the role social content played in TV news coverage of the recent uprisings in the Middle East. As the dust settles, however, social media is influencing documentary-makers, too."
Not sure the dust has settled yet, but it's an interesting article. Reference is made to #18DaysInEgypt and One Day on Earth.
Twitter and the Arab world
Two useful articles based on the Arab Social Media Report (which I blogged yesterday):
Carol Huang, The National, Hashtags are telltale sign of Twitter revolution, 7 Jun 2011
Carol Huang, The National, Gulf region out-tweets rest of the Arab world, 7 Jun 2011
Carol Huang, The National, Hashtags are telltale sign of Twitter revolution, 7 Jun 2011
Carol Huang, The National, Gulf region out-tweets rest of the Arab world, 7 Jun 2011
The U.N. Declares Internet Access a Human Right
Adam Clark Estes, theatlanticwire.com, The U.N. Declares Internet Access a Human Right "The United Nations counts internet access as a basic human right in a report that bears implications both to on-going events in the Arab Spring and to the Obama administration's war on whistleblowers."
You'll find a copy of the report on the LA Times' website, United Nations report: Internet access is a human right
You'll find a copy of the report on the LA Times' website, United Nations report: Internet access is a human right
Royal Canadian Mounted Police report - Youth Online and at Risk: Radicalization Facilitated by the Internet
The National, Extremists using web tools to recruit kids: RCMP, 6 Jun 2011 "A new RCMP report says extremist groups — from Muslim radicals to violent animal rights activists to white supremacists — are employing increasingly sophisticated multimedia tools to attract a young, computer-savvy generation of followers."
Here's the link page for the report:
Royal Canadian Mounted Police report - Youth Online and at Risk: Radicalization Facilitated by the Internet
I have yet to read this report.
Here's the link page for the report:
Royal Canadian Mounted Police report - Youth Online and at Risk: Radicalization Facilitated by the Internet I have yet to read this report.
Monday, June 06, 2011
Arab Social Media Report
Carol Huang, The National, Facebook and Twitter key to Arab Spring uprisings: report, 6 Jun 2011 discusses findings of second edition of the Arab Social Media Report by the Dubai School of Government.
Here's the link to the report:
Dubai School of Government, Arab Social Media Report, Edition 1 (Jan 2011)
Dubai School of Government, Arab Social Media Report, Edition 2 "Produced by the Dubai School of Government’s Governance and Innovation Program, the second Arab Social Media Report highlights and specifically analyzes usage trends of online social networking across the Arab region based on data collected in the first quarter of 2011. In this edition, the report analyzes data on Twitter and Facebook users in all 22 Arab countries, in addition to Iran, Israel and Turkey, highlighting the role they played in the civil movements that swept the region during that period. This is part of a larger research initiative focusing on social engagement through ICT for better policy in Arab states, which explores the use of social networking services in governance, social inclusion and entrepreneurship promotion. The initiative also studies the potential of social networking applications for increasing collaboration, knowledge sharing and innovation, both between and among government entities, citizens and the private sector."
There's a pdf for edition 1. Update: I'm advised that the pdf for edition 2 will be on the website on 7.6.11
Here's the link to the report:
Dubai School of Government, Arab Social Media Report, Edition 1 (Jan 2011)
Dubai School of Government, Arab Social Media Report, Edition 2 "Produced by the Dubai School of Government’s Governance and Innovation Program, the second Arab Social Media Report highlights and specifically analyzes usage trends of online social networking across the Arab region based on data collected in the first quarter of 2011. In this edition, the report analyzes data on Twitter and Facebook users in all 22 Arab countries, in addition to Iran, Israel and Turkey, highlighting the role they played in the civil movements that swept the region during that period. This is part of a larger research initiative focusing on social engagement through ICT for better policy in Arab states, which explores the use of social networking services in governance, social inclusion and entrepreneurship promotion. The initiative also studies the potential of social networking applications for increasing collaboration, knowledge sharing and innovation, both between and among government entities, citizens and the private sector."
There's a pdf for edition 1. Update: I'm advised that the pdf for edition 2 will be on the website on 7.6.11
Syria
alarabiya.net, 150 killed, dozens injured by Syrian security forces, activists say, 6 Jun 2011
"The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights had said on Sunday that at least 35 civilians and 10 soldiers and police have been killed since Saturday in a military operation in and around a northwestern Syrian town, according to Reuters."
More information: المرصد السوري and the related YouTube channel and Facebook page
"The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights had said on Sunday that at least 35 civilians and 10 soldiers and police have been killed since Saturday in a military operation in and around a northwestern Syrian town, according to Reuters."
More information: المرصد السوري and the related YouTube channel and Facebook page
Vodafone Egypt controversy
Lina El-Wardani , Ahram Online, Vodafone loses face after taking credit for Egyptian revolution, 2 Jun 2011 "Vodafone Egypt denies it has any link with the advert, emphasising on its official Twitter account that it is only responsible for the videos on its official YouTube page. This official denial was to no avail as the advert was presented on the Vodafone-JWT.com website
"Yesterday a website and a Twitter account were launched in the name “I hate Vodafone Egypt.” The website, using the same logo and colour scheme as Vodafone, asks visitors why they hate the telecommunications company and to describe their experiences with it.
"The website also includes blogs, of which is called “Vodafone’s biggest mistake yet.”"
Tim Bradshaw, Financial Times, Anger over Vodafone Egypt link to revolt "A promotional video featuring Vodafone Egypt made by JWT, a WPP advertising agency, has sparked outrage online among Egyptians who took offence at what they believed was an attempt to connect a mobile phone marketing campaign with the country’s recent revolution."
See dailymotion.com, Vodafone Egypt JWT Ad Taking Credit For #Jan25 Revolution
"Yesterday a website and a Twitter account were launched in the name “I hate Vodafone Egypt.” The website, using the same logo and colour scheme as Vodafone, asks visitors why they hate the telecommunications company and to describe their experiences with it.
"The website also includes blogs, of which is called “Vodafone’s biggest mistake yet.”"
Tim Bradshaw, Financial Times, Anger over Vodafone Egypt link to revolt "A promotional video featuring Vodafone Egypt made by JWT, a WPP advertising agency, has sparked outrage online among Egyptians who took offence at what they believed was an attempt to connect a mobile phone marketing campaign with the country’s recent revolution."
See dailymotion.com, Vodafone Egypt JWT Ad Taking Credit For #Jan25 Revolution
Malaysian tweet apology
Isabelle Lai, Star Online, A 'tweet' ending for activist, 3 Jun 2011 "Fahmi, who is also PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar's political secretary, had tweeted an apology on the same day saying: “I would like to formally & unequivocally apologise to Blu Inc and Female mag for my tweets earlier today. All inconveniences are regretted.”"
AFP/Dawn.com, Malaysian to tweet apology 100 times in defamation deal, 3 Jun 2011 "A Malaysian social activist said Thursday he will post an apology on Twitter 100 times over the next three days in a novel settlement to a defamation row."
widely covered (and tweeted); also see the related Isabelle Lai, Star Online, Apologising activist gains 1,000 followers, 5 Jun 2011
AFP/Dawn.com, Malaysian to tweet apology 100 times in defamation deal, 3 Jun 2011 "A Malaysian social activist said Thursday he will post an apology on Twitter 100 times over the next three days in a novel settlement to a defamation row."
widely covered (and tweeted); also see the related Isabelle Lai, Star Online, Apologising activist gains 1,000 followers, 5 Jun 2011
Saturday, June 04, 2011
Adam Gadahn
ABC News, New Al Qaeda Video: American Muslims Should Buy Guns, Start Shooting People, 3 Jun 2011 "In a new video message released on the internet Friday, American-born al Qaeda spokesman Adam Gadahn calls on Muslims living in America to carry out deadly one-man terrorist acts using fully automatic weapons purchased at gun shows, and to target major institutions and public figures."
Friday, June 03, 2011
'Jihad in the Digital Age'
Steven Emerson, algemeiner.com, Jihad in the Digital Age, 2 Jun 2011 "Al-Qaida has long embraced the Internet and modern technology, but loosely-affiliated jihadists are hunting for new ways to fight the West in the Information Age. At the cutting edge of technology, from Apple IPad 2 to using new internet protocols, jihadists are carrying the 7th century idea of an Islamic Caliphate well into the 21st century."
'Wish You Waziristan'
AP/businessweek.com, UK delays release of anti-terror cartoon movie, 1 June 2011
"The six-minute movie follows two England-raised Muslim brothers as they travel to a terrorist training camp in Pakistan and back to Britain -- where they're taken into custody.
""It's a cautionary tale," said Martin Orton, whose company Bold Creative made the animated short with funding from the British government."
The clip has been taken down from YouTube, but you get a sense of the perspective from this SkyNews report ...
The Inspire magazine hack
Daily Mail, Sugar hit: MI6 brings down Al Qaeda website full of bomb making instructions with CUP CAKE RECIPES, 3 June 2011
Guardian, British intelligence used cupcake recipes to ruin al-Qaida website, 2 Jun 2011 "The officers, understood to be based at Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) in Cheltenham, attacked an online jihadist magazine in English called Inspire, devised by supporters of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula.
"A pdf file containing fairy cake recipes was inserted into Inspire to garble most of the 67 pages of the online magazine, including instructions on how to "Make a Bomb in the Kitchen of Your Mom"."
Another version of the magazine was uploaded, however. The file was distributed on numerous upload sites.
Guardian, British intelligence used cupcake recipes to ruin al-Qaida website, 2 Jun 2011 "The officers, understood to be based at Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) in Cheltenham, attacked an online jihadist magazine in English called Inspire, devised by supporters of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula.
"A pdf file containing fairy cake recipes was inserted into Inspire to garble most of the 67 pages of the online magazine, including instructions on how to "Make a Bomb in the Kitchen of Your Mom"."
Another version of the magazine was uploaded, however. The file was distributed on numerous upload sites.
Thursday, June 02, 2011
Facebook: "We are all Hamza el-Khatib"
Extensive social networking campaigning is ongoing in relation to Hamza el-Khatib, the boy killed in Syria. For example see, on Facebook,
كلنا الشهيد الطفل حمزة علي الخطيب
The image on the left comes from this site.
BBC News, Syria unrest: Hamza al-Khatib a symbol of uprising, 1 June 2011
Jadaliyya links to funeral coverage.
Also see Egyptian Chronicle's coverage
Plenty of updates are available on Twitter: #Hamza and Facebook: Syrian First
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
The Future of Islam in the Age of New Media
The Future of Islam in the Age of New Media event took place yesterday. You can receive the MP3 via registration. Haven't heard it all yet. My 60 seconds was around the 25 minute mark
aQAP speech
ICSR, Translation of al-Qaeda Sheikh's Online Lecture, 26 May 2011 "ICSR has obtained and translated a recent talk given online by Abu Zubair Adel al-Abab, a Shariah Official for al- Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)"
Anwar al-’Awlaqi
Ibn Siqilli, al-Wasat, The Global Jihad Internet Forum Launches New Sub-forum Dedicated to Anwar al-’Awlaqi: A Sign of His Growing Influence?, May 30, 2011
post by 'Ibn Siqilli', now also to be found at new blog al-Wasat
post by 'Ibn Siqilli', now also to be found at new blog al-Wasat
Afghanistan and Pakistan
Kristin Deasy, Farishta Jalalzai, RFE/RL, Kids With Bombs: In Afghanistan And Pakistan, A Child With A Dream Can Be Deadly "An alarming number of children in Pakistan and Afghanistan believe immortality is at their fingertips -- provided they're pressing a button detonating the bombs strapped to their bodies.
"And while most people associate a bomb blast with the finality of the grave, one young would-be suicide bomber told RFE/RL that he associates it with "heaven.""
"And while most people associate a bomb blast with the finality of the grave, one young would-be suicide bomber told RFE/RL that he associates it with "heaven.""
Muslim social networking sites
Mohamed El Dahshan, Guardian, CIF, Facebook has little to fear from Muslim social networking sites 31 May 2011 "All things being equal, it is doubtful these websites are hoping to be the next big thing in social networking; the weak membership numbers make it quite obvious. Besides the lack of innovation – the only "new" aspect is the stricter moderation – the demand for "clean" social networking hasn't produced the kind of site the creators may have hoped for. Most users are quite happy to be part of a more open and less monitored social network such as Facebook, even if they are offended by some of the content."
Iran Unplugged (?)
Christopher Rhoads & Farnaz Fassihi, WSJ, Iran Vows to Unplug Internet, 28 May 2011 "The unusual initiative appears part of a broader effort to confront what the regime now considers a major threat: an online invasion of Western ideas, culture and influence, primarily originating from the U.S. In recent speeches, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other top officials have called this emerging conflict the "soft war.""
The Week, Iran's alternate internet plan: Will it work?
The Week, Iran's alternate internet plan: Will it work?
Satirical video: The Young Conservative's Hip Hop Guide to Muslims
The Young Conservative's Hip Hop Guide to Muslims is a satirical video, which links to The Young Con. The website states: "This music video is social commentary through satire on the gross, yet common misconceptions perpetuated about Muslim people. It’s good music, good video, funny, and educational." The website also links to other resources. It's an interesting approach - make up your own mind:
Monday, May 30, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
Manal al-Sharif: update
Robert Booth and Mona Mahmood, Guardian, YouTube Saudi woman driver faces further 10-day jail term, 26 May 2011 "Eman al-Nafjan, a teacher and PhD student in Riyadh who writes a blog under the name Saudiwoman, told the Guardian that Saudi conservatives and the wealthy were determined to keep women from driving because it blocks anyone who cannot afford a driver from competing for jobs." Good article!
Check Saudiwoman for more updates and comments on this.
If you haven't already seen this:
And this has just come in:
David Leigh, Guardian, US put pressure on Saudi Arabia to let women drive, leaked cables reveal, 27 May 2011 "The Obama administration has been quietly putting pressure on Saudi Arabia to allow women to drive, according to leaked US embassy cables."
Check Saudiwoman for more updates and comments on this.
If you haven't already seen this:
And this has just come in:
David Leigh, Guardian, US put pressure on Saudi Arabia to let women drive, leaked cables reveal, 27 May 2011 "The Obama administration has been quietly putting pressure on Saudi Arabia to allow women to drive, according to leaked US embassy cables."
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Al-Qaeda has sleeper cells across west Africa: experts
AFP: Al-Qaeda has sleeper cells across west Africa: experts, 26 May 2011 "Al-Qaeda makes use of sleeper cells in several West African countries, security experts said Thursday after a regional meeting on terrorism and trans-border crime in Gambia.
""In countries like Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, across the sub-region, we have Al-Qaeda sleeper cells," said a statement issued after the meeting organised by the African Centre of Terrorism Research, an African Union body, in collaboration with Spain."
See ACRST for basic information on the African Centre of Terrorism Research
""In countries like Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, across the sub-region, we have Al-Qaeda sleeper cells," said a statement issued after the meeting organised by the African Centre of Terrorism Research, an African Union body, in collaboration with Spain."
See ACRST for basic information on the African Centre of Terrorism Research
Human Milk 4 Human Babies - Malaysia
The Star, Forming breast milk-sharing network: "Montreal (Canada)-based Emma Kwasnica launched a global milk-sharing network online in October last year. Known as Human Milk 4 Human Babies (HM4HB), the network has 130 chapters spanning over 50 countries. The Facebook groups provide a space where families in need can connect with women who have milk to share. As Kwasnica’s philosophy states, “breast milk is not some sort of scarce commodity; it is a free-flowing resource,” the network doesn’t endorse buying or selling of breast milk.
"In Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur-based Nadine Ghows took the initiative to start the Malaysian chapter in November last year. “We are essentially a network that facilitates mother-to-mother connections for the purpose of providing human milk for human children,” explains Ghows, a breastfeeding and gentle birth advocate.
"As a Muslim, Ghows was also concerned about how the group should handle milk-sharing from an Islamic perspective."
The Malaysian group has used Facebook extensively: Human Milk 4 Human Babies - Malaysia
"In Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur-based Nadine Ghows took the initiative to start the Malaysian chapter in November last year. “We are essentially a network that facilitates mother-to-mother connections for the purpose of providing human milk for human children,” explains Ghows, a breastfeeding and gentle birth advocate.
"As a Muslim, Ghows was also concerned about how the group should handle milk-sharing from an Islamic perspective."
The Malaysian group has used Facebook extensively: Human Milk 4 Human Babies - Malaysia
Turkey: Internet release of intimate videos guts opposition party ahead of election -
AP/The Washington Post, Turkey: Internet release of intimate videos guts opposition party ahead of election, 24 May 2011 "The black-and-white videos are grainy. Sometimes, they flicker. Yet the images are stark and often graphic, appearing to show senior members of a Turkish opposition party in liaisons with women who are not their wives.
"The spies did not just rig hidden cameras. They posted taunting screen text, an eerie soundtrack and even an adults-only rating before slapping the intimate footage on the Internet, unleashing a sex scandal that could benefit the government in elections next month."
"The spies did not just rig hidden cameras. They posted taunting screen text, an eerie soundtrack and even an adults-only rating before slapping the intimate footage on the Internet, unleashing a sex scandal that could benefit the government in elections next month."
'Use modern information media to spread Islam’s message: Al-Asheikh'
P.K. Abdul Ghafour, Arab News, Use modern information media to spread Islam’s message: Al-Asheikh, 26 May 2011 "Islamic Affairs Minister Saleh Al-Asheikh has emphasized the need for utilizing modern information media including the Internet and FM radio stations to spread the message of Islam."
also points to www.alssunnahnet.com, which has got some interesting features. I'll take a closer look at a later time.
also points to www.alssunnahnet.com, which has got some interesting features. I'll take a closer look at a later time.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Bin Laden and The IT Crowd: Anatomy of a Twitter hoax
BBC News - Bin Laden and The IT Crowd: Anatomy of a Twitter hoax, 24 May 2011 "Rumours circulating on Twitter that Osama Bin Laden was a fan of The IT Crowd sitcom were an elaborate new media hoax. Here comedian Graham Linehan explains how he organised the ruse."
Monday, May 23, 2011
Report: 'Global mapping of technology for transparency and accountability'
Renata Avila, globalvoicesonline.org Technology for Transparency: Final Report, 22 May 2011Get the report (in various versions) here: transparency-initiative.org, Global mapping of technology for transparency and accountability
I haven't read this one yet, but have added it to my reading list. Looks interesting!
KSA: Women, driving and net activism [update]
MuslimMatters.org, The Rosa Parks of Saudi Arabia: Women Challenging the Ban by Driving | comprehensive coverage relating to women driving in Saudi Arabia. It links to tweets and video. The reader discussion is also interesting.Follow this on twitter, for example here #Women2Drive.
There's also a Facebook page #Women2Drive
Also see this video on YouTube, SaudiWomenDrive.mov:
Related coverage:
aljazeera.net, Saudi woman detained for driving, 22 May 2011
Turks stand up to internet censorship
Jillian York, aljazeera.net, Turks stand up to internet censorship, 22 May 2011 "From Ankara to Istanbul, and in numerous cities in between this past Sunday, thousands of citizens took to the streets in protest of proposed new internet filters. In Istanbul's Taksim Square alone, more than 50,000 people, largely organised on social networks, gathered in protest. More than 600,000 people joined a Facebook page called "Internetime Dokunma!" or "Don't Touch My Internet!""For more information, see Facebook, Internetime Dokunma!
'Broadcasting Martyrdom' op-ed
Brooke Goldstein and Elisa Rojas, frontpagemag.com, Broadcasting Martyrdom, 23 May 2011 op-ed discussion on broadcasting of Tuyur al-Janna and Lama Nestashed
Yemen telecommunications
I'm closely following #Yemen on Twitter today.
In the midst of all the events in Yemen, the following press release emerges from Saba Net, Telecom sector achieves remarkable advancement in Unity era, 21 May 2011 "Despite the Yemeni revolutions of September and October put the foundation stones for this sector, it was reinforced after the unification of the country in 1990 as Yemen practically reacted with the world development in the area of development and information technology.
"More efforts were exerted during the past period to cause a characteristic leap in this sector in the southern and eastern governorates in accordance with the same progress in the northern and western governorates."
Discuss.
In the midst of all the events in Yemen, the following press release emerges from Saba Net, Telecom sector achieves remarkable advancement in Unity era, 21 May 2011 "Despite the Yemeni revolutions of September and October put the foundation stones for this sector, it was reinforced after the unification of the country in 1990 as Yemen practically reacted with the world development in the area of development and information technology.
"More efforts were exerted during the past period to cause a characteristic leap in this sector in the southern and eastern governorates in accordance with the same progress in the northern and western governorates."
Discuss.
‘Arabizi is destroying the Arabic language’
Just picked up this one up (a little late) via eAraby
Renad Ghanem, ‘Arabizi is destroying the Arabic language’, 19 April 2011
"Most Arab Internet users find this way easier than typing in Arabic. Teachers fear that this will weaken their Arabic language ability or even replace the language in the future. Arabic professional professors from the Arab world consider it a war against the Arabic language to make it disappear in the long run."
Other opinions are also presented in the article.
Renad Ghanem, ‘Arabizi is destroying the Arabic language’, 19 April 2011
"Most Arab Internet users find this way easier than typing in Arabic. Teachers fear that this will weaken their Arabic language ability or even replace the language in the future. Arabic professional professors from the Arab world consider it a war against the Arabic language to make it disappear in the long run."
Other opinions are also presented in the article.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Online book sales flourish in the Arab world
gulfnews : Online book sales flourish in the Arab world, 23 May 2011 "The increasing number of internet users was also coupled with a shift in many people's attitudes towards the internet and its multiple purposes. Today, more people are turning to the web for the latest news, and more and more are even buying books on the internet."
I'm not sure if the Arabic version of iMuslims (forthcoming) will include an e-book edition. iMuslims English version is available as an e-book - it comes in at $154.97 in the Kindle store USA ...
I'm not sure if the Arabic version of iMuslims (forthcoming) will include an e-book edition. iMuslims English version is available as an e-book - it comes in at $154.97 in the Kindle store USA ...
Friday, May 20, 2011
63rd Nakba op-ed
op-ed, Abdullah al-Ahsan, just-international.org, 63rd Nakba: Has the Arab Uprising Made a Difference?, 19 May 2011: "Now the question is: why did the internet social network services cooperate with the uprising in various Arab countries but declined to do the same in the case of Palestine?"
Anonymous and the Arab Uprisings
Anonymous and the Arab Uprisings | Yasmine Ryan | Voices | AllThingsD: "Anonymous’s rapid rise from the depths of geekdom to becoming a catalyst and nerve centre for real-life revolutionaries is one that has taken even some of its own members by surprise"
Wael Ghonim
Guardian, Arab spring: Google's Wael Ghonim on the fall of Mubarak, 18 May 2011 "I don't claim to be a leader. I don't think I am a leader anyway. I was just another guy in the movement," he told Google's Big Tent conference in London on Wednesday.
"Ghonim also played down talk that the Egyptian uprising was a "Facebook revolution"."
"Ghonim also played down talk that the Egyptian uprising was a "Facebook revolution"."
Sayf al-’Adl
Vahid Brown, jihadica, Sayf al-’Adl and al-Qa’ida’s Historical Leadership, 18 May 2011 "In light of the widely reported news that Sayf al-‘Adl (also spelled Saif al-Adel) has taken the reins of operational leadership within al-Qa’ida in the wake of the death of Osama bin Laden, I thought it would be useful to Jihadica’s readers to provide a bit of context about this man and about the significance, if any, of these reports (see, e.g., Musharbash and Bergen), all of which rely on the testimony of Noman Benotman, a former leader of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group"
Bin Laden praised Arab uprising
BBC, Osama Bin Laden: Al-Qaeda releases posthumous message, 19 May 2011
NYT/SMH, Bin Laden praised Arab uprising, 10 May 2011 "In a message to Muslims made public 16 days after his death, Osama bin Laden praised the pro-democracy uprisings that have swept the Arab world."
NTD, Al Qaeda Posthumously Releases Bin Laden Message, 20 May 2011
NYT/SMH, Bin Laden praised Arab uprising, 10 May 2011 "In a message to Muslims made public 16 days after his death, Osama bin Laden praised the pro-democracy uprisings that have swept the Arab world."
NTD, Al Qaeda Posthumously Releases Bin Laden Message, 20 May 2011
UAE has 11m mobile phone users
Zawya, UAE has 11m mobile phone users, 19 May 2011: "The UAE had more than 11 million mobile phone subscribers at the end of February, pushing its penetration rate close to 200 per cent, one of the highest rates in the world, official figures showed on Wednesday."
'Inspire' translated into Russian
Reuters, Al Qaeda online magazine translated into Russian, 18 May 2011 "The English-language web journal, Inspire, launched by al Qaeda's Yemeni wing last year to reach out to Muslims living in the West, stoked U.S. and European concerns with articles such as one entitled "make a bomb in your mother's kitchen.""
'UAE online shopping stalled'
The National, UAE online shopping stalled, 17 May 2011 "A lack of online payment providers could be holding back the development of web shopping in the Emirates."
Japan, Muslims and the net
ABC Radio Australia News:Stories:Muslims file lawsuit against Japanese state governments, 17 May 2011: "The lawyers said private information leaked included personal information and details of their actions including visits to mosques and internet habits."
Egyptian politics
Al-Masry Al-Youm, Salafis in Cairo aim to establish 'Virtue' political party, 19 May 2011 "The proposed formation of the new party was announced through social networking site Facebook, as well as through a number of internet links carrying the party’s name. The same sources advertise the headquarters of the party as being in Nasr City, and it is there that group members meet daily to prepare the party’s political plans for the parliamentary, Shura Council and presidential elections."
There's also a related piece in the Ian Black, Guardian, Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood poised to prosper in post-Mubarak new era, 20 May 2011,
There's also a related piece in the Ian Black, Guardian, Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood poised to prosper in post-Mubarak new era, 20 May 2011,
Monday, May 16, 2011
Border protests
Adrian Blomfield, Telegraph, Israel attacks Palestinian border protests, 15 May 2011 "Inspired by popular revolts elsewhere in the Middle East, activists are believed to have orchestrated the march on Israel's borders in secret by using social networking sites like Facebook."
Emad Drimly, Saud Abu Ramadan, Xinhua, Anti-Israel Arab protests turning point in Mideast conflict: analysts, 16 May 2011 "Palestinian politicians and analysts said on Sunday that the Palestinian and Arab protests, rallies and demonstrations against Israel, which marked 63 years for the Nakba Day, or Catastrophe, might be a turning point in the history of the Israeli-Arab conflict."
Nicholas Blanford, Maroun er Ras, Time, A Third Intifadeh? Deadly Nakba Protests Spark Fears of Israel-Lebanon Border Escalation, 15 May 2011
"South Lebanon Sunday witnessed its deadliest day since the month-long Israel-Hizballah 2006 war when 10 Palestinian demonstrators were reported shot dead and another 112 wounded as Israeli troops opened fire on protests along the border fence."
Edward Yeranian, VOA, Syrian Crackdown in Border Town Enters Second Day, 15 May 2011
Emad Drimly, Saud Abu Ramadan, Xinhua, Anti-Israel Arab protests turning point in Mideast conflict: analysts, 16 May 2011 "Palestinian politicians and analysts said on Sunday that the Palestinian and Arab protests, rallies and demonstrations against Israel, which marked 63 years for the Nakba Day, or Catastrophe, might be a turning point in the history of the Israeli-Arab conflict."
Nicholas Blanford, Maroun er Ras, Time, A Third Intifadeh? Deadly Nakba Protests Spark Fears of Israel-Lebanon Border Escalation, 15 May 2011
"South Lebanon Sunday witnessed its deadliest day since the month-long Israel-Hizballah 2006 war when 10 Palestinian demonstrators were reported shot dead and another 112 wounded as Israeli troops opened fire on protests along the border fence."
Edward Yeranian, VOA, Syrian Crackdown in Border Town Enters Second Day, 15 May 2011
MENA Android
Ahmad Al-Shagra, TNW Middle East, Paid Android Apps Available for Some MENA Users: "Android users in the Middle East can finally get their hands on paid apps from the Android Market now that Google has added included the feature for 10 countries from in the region" Seems like a long-overview option - the article notes that some zones can't get the apps yet.
Nawaat.org
Yasmine Ryan, aljazeera.net, Tunisia's dissident blog stays true to form, 13 May 2011: "During the media blackout imposed as the uprising took hold of Tunisia in December and January, Nawaat.org [French/Arabic] was one of the most reliable sources of information, offering images and video showing what was happening on Tunisian streets. "
Useful overview of Nawaat.org, a significant channel in Tunisia.
Useful overview of Nawaat.org, a significant channel in Tunisia.
'Shop, shop, shop till you drop.'
alarabiya.net, Blog / Mimi Raad: Shop, shop, shop till you drop. But Arab women doing this online?, 13 May 2011: "A growing number of young and not so young Arab women are purchasing almost everything they need on the net. Shoes, bags, house furniture and decoration items, books, babies games and outfits."
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