Blog archive all
18th December 2009
The problem of Arabic literature is a lack of readers rather than writers, Rasheed el-Enany, professor of modern Arabic literature at Exeter university, says in an interview with the Egyptian newspaper, al-Masri al-Youm.
Fiction is flourishing, often in unexpected places like Iraq and Saudi Arabia… Read more
17th December 2009
Last week Sheikh Ahmed al-Ghamdi, head of the religious police in Mecca, gave an extraordinary interview to the Saudi newspaper, Okaz. In fact, it was so extraordinary that I decided not to write about it at the time, imagining the sheikh’s remarks must have been misquoted or at least taken out of… Read more
16th December 2009
A blogger and the owner of an internet cafe have been jailed in Morocco. The blogger, Bashir Hazzam, was sentenced to four months for "disseminating false information harmful to the kingdom's image concerning human rights".
He was arrested after publishing a statement on his blog from students… Read more
16th December 2009
Human Rights Watch yesterday issued a report on abuses by security forces in connection with the protest demonstrations in southern Yemen. It also details harassment of journalists attempting to cover the protests.
Here is part of the report's summary:
The security forces, and Central Security in… Read more
15th December 2009
President Ali Abdullah Salih of Yemen has now set a date for the start of a "national dialogue" on "all the issues that concern the homeland". It is to begin on December 26 and will be held under the auspices of the Shura Council – the presidentailly-appointed upper house of parliament.
In a speech… Read more
15th December 2009
Among the objects on sale at the British Museum shop in London are miniature reproductions of the Rosetta Stone, along with Rosetta Stone bags, Rosetta Stone neckties, Rosetta Stone mugs, Rosetta Stone teatowels, even Rosetta Stone umbrellas.
All that could stop if Zahi Hawass, head of Egypt’s… Read more
14th December 2009
I haven't written about the Yemeni-Saudi-Houthi war for a while, mainly because it's so difficult to work out what is really going on. The Saudis, who became heavily involved early last month, continue to claim success after success against the rebels, though as the Washington Institute notes, "the… Read more
13th December 2009
Controversy continues to surround Joseph Massad of Columbia University and his book, Desiring Arabs. Earlier this month, the ResetDOC website published an interview with Massad where he renewed his attack on western gay rights activists who, he said, insist on inflicting "epistemic and physical… Read more
12th December 2009
Arab News has a predictably deferential editorial today welcoming the return of Prince Sultan, heir to the Saudi throne, "after a full recovery from his illness".
"We share the general pleasure at his recovery and join with everyone in warmly welcoming him home," it says.
The prince, who is thought… Read more
11th December 2009
A bill that aims to grant civil rights to almost 100,000 stateless Arabs in Kuwait was stymied yesterday because too few MPs turned up to discuss it.
The debate had been scheduled for December 10 to coincide with International Human Rights Day but only 26 MPs and five ministers were present – two… 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
