Blog archive all
26th July 2009
Last week I mentioned a fascinating article on The Long Slumber blog called The crisis of Arab masculinities. Well, the same blog has now come up with another one: Hymen: the Arabs’ finest fetish. It begins ...
Contrary to common belief, fetishes do not just exist in the tents of West African witch… Read more
25th July 2009
Numerous violent incidents reported from southern Yemen on Saturday suggest the situation is deteriorating rapidly:
The house of Abyan governor Ahmed Al-Miysari was attacked with light and medium-sized weapons; no casualties.
The home of the director of political security in Abyan was also attacked… Read more
25th July 2009
There are conflicting reports of the latest attacks by Houthi rebels in northern Yemen.
The Yemen Post says seven soldiers were killed on Thursday and Friday in al-Khamees district of Saada province. AFPquotes a military source as saying: "Clashes broke out after Houthi rebels attacked army bases… Read more
25th July 2009
It’s worth noting the arrests this week of three bloggers in Egypt – one of the 10 worst countries to be a blogger, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Those arrested are: Abdel Rahman Ayyash, Al-Ghareeb (The Stranger); Magdi Saad, formerly of Yalla Mesh Mohem (Who Cares); and Ahmad… Read more
24th July 2009
I’m in two minds about Mazen Abdul Jawad, the 32-year-old Saudi who has been arrested after bragging on TV about his sexual conquests. He does come across as appallingly sexist. On the other hand, that’s no reason for the religious police to swing into action and have him flogged.
Abdul Jawad, a… Read more
24th July 2009
Moqtada al-Sadr, the rabble-rousing Iraqi cleric, visited President Assad in Damascus earlier this week to discuss “brotherly and friendly relations and mutual interests”.
The Syrian president underlined “the importance of strengthening national unity among the Iraqi people, and Syria's care for… Read more
23rd July 2009
Agence France Presse is reporting that at least 16 people were killed today and 30 injured by shelling and gunfire in Zinjibar on the southern coast of Yemen. Earlier reports (including theofficial news agency and the BBC put the death toll at eight). AFP says the dead include six policemen.
This… Read more
23rd July 2009
At least 10 people have died in a two-day battle between Shias and Sunnis for control of a mosque in northern Yemen. Although tribal fighting in the country is common, the sectarian dimension in this case is new and alarming.
It appears to have started with both sides insisting on their ownchoice… Read more
23rd July 2009
Writing about the Arab Human Development Report yesterday, Inoted with pleasure that Capmas had not been involved in the research, and promised to explain more about this dreadful Egyptian institution.
Capmas, the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics, is a hangover from the… Read more
22nd July 2009
Hot on the heels of the Egyptian poet who was jailed – and then released – for unpublished verses that “insulted” President Mubarak, the latest head of state to be attacked is Mohammed VI, king of Morocco, lover of water sports and Commander of the Faithful.
The Arabist reports that 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
