Egypt’s revolution is in turmoil but its social media activism points to a bright future
“Same book, different cover.” That was how a well-connected social media manager described Egypt’s post-revolution transition when the Meedan team met him last week in Cairo. Working in a pristine air conditioned office located in the rapidly expanding hinterland of the Egyptian capital, our contact nevertheless expected 2012 to be a year of dramatic growth and vitality in the Egyptian web publishing market. In the city centre, heavily armed soldiers still surround the crumbling Maspero television building, long the propagandistic power base of the Mubarak regime, now circled with barbed... Read The Rest →
Crafting a moderation policy for cross-cultural dialogue online
What are the ingredients needed to craft an appropriate moderation policy for a cross-cultural forum? That’s a question we’ve been trying to answer for some time. In many ways, it’s a question we’ll need to be asking as long as this project exists. Meedan obviously brings together people of very different linguistic, cultural and religious backgrounds – which makes moderation challenging in two distinct respects. One, there are not obvious cultural norms we can draw on. And two, we are necessarily bringing together divergent viewpoints which are more likely... Read The Rest →
'We do not wish Khatami for the presidency' – Abdul Rahman Al-Rashed in English
This is an opinion piece with reader comments from the Saudi-owned pan-Arab daily Asharq Alawsat about Mohammed Khatami’s decision to stand in Iran’s June elections. Read the Arabic original here. Translation by Asma. There is a feeling of enthusiasm and anxious joy since former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami announced his intention to run for the elections in Iran. For many, Khatami is an example of the moderate peace-loving Iranian politician, after a long series of Iranian leaders interested in confrontations. It is a right perception after all, but betting on... Read The Rest →
'This is international politics – ever evolving, artistically cunning' – Fadil Yula on Erdogan's WEF outburst
Read the Arabic original on Iraq of Tomorrow here. Translated into English by Ghaydaa. Can Erdogan’s Stance be Deemed Heroic and Revolutionary? One can only suspect that a case whose people have failed to take ownership over (at least from a historical perspective), will easily be targeted by those who would use and market it to serve their personal interests and agendas. It has become increasingly difficult to speculate the true intentions of today’s political activists, especially those who are seeking to fulfill their agendas in pretence of defending other... Read The Rest →
'Beyond the Gaza earthquake': Rival Palestinian factions debate future as uncertainty hangs over reconciliation
Here are extracts from two articles written by Palestinians with very different perspectives on how to create the ‘independent and viable’ Palestinian state which US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has promised to work towards. If you want to discuss them more, join the conversation on Meedan or become a fan of our Facebook page. For more information on the outlets featured, see Meedan delicious account. Beyond the Gaza Earthquake, in Al Majd 2 February 2009 By Ibrahim Ghosheh. Translated by Deena for Meedan. Read the Arabic original here. On... Read The Rest →
Obama in the Arab Press – the view from Syria
Whither America’s Stances? – Al-Thawra, 22/1/2009, by Ghalib Hasan Muhammad So many have fallen in Gaza but Obama said nothing, with the excuse that there is “one current president,” meaning of course that Bush is still the leader of monstrousness and neo-Nazism in the White House. No one should be surprised by Obama’s stance, despite the high hopes that he will stop American bias towards Israel. It seems that the liberal elite that is coming to power will constitute a huge hindrance for the struggle for peace and justice in... Read The Rest →