Mona el-Tahawy and Leila Ahmed discuss FP “Why do they hate us” piece
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9Z0DB2XOoHc
Mona Russell
Update on the Adel Imam Case
An Egyptian court upheld the guilty ruling against actor Adel Imam of “offending Islam.” The actor did not appear in court, but his lawyers made the claim that government censors had approved his roles, therefore he did nothing wrong. The decision can be appealed: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2012/04/24/world/middleeast/ap-ml-egypt-comedian.html?_r=1
More on the Armenian Genocide
A personal account based on the documentary “Grandma’s tattoos”, for more information see http://phillyimc.org/en/open-letter-suzanne-khardalian-filmmaker-%E2%80%9Cgrandma%E2%80%99s-tattoos%E2%80%9D .
Mona el-Tahawy on Lack of Women’s Progress and the Firestorm that followed
Here is an article that appeared in Foreign Policy, which sent Twitter, FB, and all forms of social media buzzing: http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2012/04/23/why_do_they_hate_us?page=0,0 discussing “the real war on women.” For an example of a response, see http://neocolonialthoughts.wordpress.com/2012/04/24/a-response-to-mona-el-tahawy/
Arab Spring is frosty for Women According Qatari Author
In an interview with al-Jazeera, a Qatari author discusses the (non)impact the Arab Spring on women: http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/talktojazeera/2012/04/201242111373249723.html .
Armenian Genocide update
After reading Bastard of Istanbul, I thought you might find this update interesting: http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-EdContributors/Article.aspx?id=267286 It discusses how many countries and even states within the US have recognized the Armenian Genocide.
A Self Proclaimed Hero in Leila Khaled’s My People Shall Live
In Leila Khaled’s My People Shall Live, Khaled tells of her journey as a Palestinian soldier on a mission to bring justice to her people from the Israelis. As the narrator, Khaled tells the story in such a way that she seems to be trying to convince the readers that she was justified in the … Read more
A Subjective View of the Iranian Revolution in Dalia Sofer’s The Septembers of Shiraz
Dalia Sofer recreates her heartbreaking childhood story illustrating the aftermath of the Iranian Revolution in her novel, The Septembers of Shiraz. Sofer’s story is inspired by her own childhood story and takes place in the 1980’s in the United States, after her family emigrated from Iran. The Sofer’s story portrays the emotional torment and distress … Read more
Awaiting update on Adel Imam Case
Adel Imam, actor in the film version of The Yacoubian Building, and countless other films failed to show up in court for his appeal on his contempt for religion charge. The case is adjourned until April: http://www.egyptindependent.com/node/749431 .
Kansas bill heats debate over rights of Mothers to be
What happens if the ultrasound technician see something wrong and decides NOT to tell you: http://www.aclu.org/blog/reproductive-freedom/kansas-pregnant-women-little-lie-your-doctor-wont-hurt-you As someone who has felt that nervous glide of the ultrasound many times–wondering if all was OK, I understand the ramifications of this bill.