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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… Read more
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
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… Read more
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… Read more
A Saudi prince was arrested for possession of cocaine last week during a "routine search" of passengers at Beirut airport. He was said to be carrying 16.3 grams of the drug, worth around $1,600.
The 51-year-old prince, who was identified only by his initials – YBAA – reportedly said the… Read more
Today, I'm making the final selections in our list of 10 books that explain the Middle East for people unfamiliar with the region. Aided by suggestions from readers of this blog, we have so far covered history, literature, Islam and Arab society and politics.
When choosing Philip Hitti's … Read more
Twelve-year-old Sally al-Sahabi was granted a divorce from her 26-year-old husband by a Yemeni court yesterday. The decision is seen as a boost for campaigners against child marriage – an issue on which the Yemeni parliament is expected to vote shortly.
There is currently no law… Read more
At the beginning of this month, the Hamas authorities in Gazaannounced a ban on male hairdressers attending to women's hair. Three weeks later, though, they show no sign of trying to enforce it.
Five hairdressers are thought to be affected and have been seeking legal advice. A report in The… Read more
Our list of 10 books that explain the Middle East for people unfamiliar with the region is taking shape. So far, aided by suggestions from readers of this blog, we have covered history,literature and Islam. Today I want to add two more titles – about Arab politics and… Read more
Mohammed al-Maqaleh (Maqalih), editor-in-chief of Aleshteraki, the Yemen Socialist Party's website was released from arbitrary detention yesterday on "health and humanitarian" grounds.
Maqalih was abducted by armed and masked men last September and it was several months… 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
