Blog archive all
7th March 2014
"Do you know who I am?" That's a question that officials everywhere in the Arab countries dread hearing. If they don't know the answer they had better find out pronto – otherwise they will be in trouble.
Privilege, nepotism, corruption ... whatever you call it, it's bad news. It's also one of the… Read more
5th March 2014
A report issued on Wednesday by the UN Human Rights Council came closer than any previous UN report to blaming the Syrian government for the chemical attacks near Damascus last August, as well as an earlier attack in Khan al-Assal.
While not directly accusing the Assad regime, the report says "the… Read more
1st March 2014
Art14, a contemporary art fair showing work from 42 countries, got under way in the Grand Hall of Olympia in London on Thursday. Labouring among the exhibits as the doors opened, staff put the finishing touches to what could easily have been mistaken for art installations of their own – perfectly… Read more
24th February 2014
Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia. View of an alley with several tailoring businesses. Photo: Nadine Compton
This is the sixth in a series of blog posts exploring employment problems in the Arab Gulf states.
Part one: How it began
Part two: The iniquities of kafala
Part three: Female… Read more
23rd February 2014
This is the fifth in a series of blog posts exploring employment problems in the Arab Gulf states.
Part one: How it began
Part two: The iniquities of kafala
Part three: Female domestic workers
Part four: Working outside the rules
Part five: Jobs for citizens?
Part six: Jobs,… Read more
21st February 2014
Bahrain is to renovate a Jewish synagogue in the capital, Manama, Gulf News reports:
Visiting the religious venue, Minister of Culture Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammad al-Khalifa said that she was looking forward to the renovation of the synagogue as one of the iconic places in Manama that reflected the… Read more
20th February 2014
This is the fourth in a series of blog posts exploring employment problems in the Arab Gulf states.
Part one: How it began
Part two: The iniquities of kafala
Part three: Female domestic workers
Part four: Working outside the rules
Part five: Jobs for citizens?
Part six: Jobs,… Read more
19th February 2014
For sale of return: A recruitment agent stands with a group of Ethiopian domestic workers as they wait for potential clients at an agency office in the Hawalli district of Kuwait. Women who leave employers and return to recruitment agencies – either as a result of their employer’s decision or… Read more
17th February 2014
This is the second in a series of blog posts exploring employment problems in the Arab Gulf states.
Part one: How it began
Part two: The iniquities of kafala
Part three: Female domestic workers
Part four: Working outside the rules
Part five: Jobs for citizens?
Part six: Jobs,… Read more
16th February 2014
Employment systems in the Arab Gulf states are increasingly coming under an international spotlight.
Following the decision to hold the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, concerns have been raised about the conditions of migrant construction workers preparing for the tournament – an… 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
