Blog archive all
5th April 2010
I have received an email giving more information about the Saudi writer who is facing prosecution – and possible execution – for describing a Hadith of the Prophet as "barbaric". I reported the case here last month, but only the scantiest details were available at the time.
The writer concerned is… Read more
4th April 2010
An unusual book-signing took place in Beirut at the end of last month. "Memoirs of Randa the Trans" ( مذكرات رندا الترنس) is the life story of an Algerian raised as a boy, who felt trapped in a male body.
Mocked and abused at school, and later threatened with death by religious extremists, Randa… Read more
4th April 2010
Rather belatedly, the emo phenomenon has reached Saudi Arabia's eastern province and come to the attention of the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (aka the religious police). The authorities seem rather bemused by it – though obviously it's the work of the devil.
Al-… Read more
3rd April 2010
The new Almazar shopping centre is opening in Marrakesh today, covering 33,000 square metres on five levels, with parking for 1,200 cars, a 800-seat food court and familiar names like Carrefour and Virgin Megastore.
It's progress, I suppose, and I've nothing against Moroccans having decent shopping… Read more
3rd April 2010
Saudi Arabia's Shura Council has won some sort of award from the Arab League for having the best "parliamentary" website among the league's member countries. The kingdom is to be "feted" at a presentation ceremony shortly.
Arab News says:
"The Shoura Council is currently implementing an e-… Read more
2nd April 2010
There was a good deal of excitement in Yemen yesterday when a grenade went off at a police station in the southern city of Dali (Dhale'a) and – depending on whose accounts you choose to believe – up to 40 recently-arrested separatists did or didn'tescape.
Gregory Johnsen, writing for the Waq al-Waq… Read more
2nd April 2010
Jack Shenker's interview with Mohamed ElBaradei, possible contender for the Egyptian presidency, published by the Guardian in three parts (here, here and here) yesterday, contained a lot of interesting material.
Shenker has also posted a full transcript of the interview on his blog.
Posted by… Read more
2nd April 2010
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has called on his subjects topray for rain on Monday:
"All people should increase their repentance, seeking forgiveness and helping others, as well as increasing pious deeds such as giving to charities, performing prayers, remembrance of Allah and relieving the… Read more
1st April 2010
Jordan: Four prominent Jordanians appeared before the state security court on Wednesday at the start of what promises to be the kingdom's biggest-ever corruption trial. Reporters were banned from the courtroom during the two-hour hearing, which was then adjourned until April 5.
The… Read more
1st April 2010
The execution of Ali Sabat, the Lebanese TV fortune-teller who was arrested in Saudi Arabia on charges of witchcraft is reported to be imminent.
Mr Sabat, 46, hosted a phone-in show on the Lebanese Sheherazade channel where he gave advice and predicted the future. The Saudi religious police… Read more
ARAB ART ONLINE: Susan Hefuna: Al Sabr Gamil (Patience is Beautiful) 2007. Ink stained on wood 140 x 170 cm. More information | Click to enlarge
