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Morocco: An Interview with Mohamed Ali Lagouader, Author · Global Voices
Jillian C. York

Mohamed Ali Lagouader was born and raised in Mohammédia, Morocco.  In his youth, he wrote poetry in Moroccan Arabic, later switching to French, and then to English after receiving his B.A. in English from the Faculty of Letters of Mohammédia, Morocco (he also holds a diploma in translation from The King Fahd Advanced School of Translation in Tangier).  After receiving several rejection letters for stories and articles, Mohamed decided to work on his first novel, The Poet.  Mohamed was told by some British publishers, however, that the market for North African literature in English was too small and that, were he to have written his book in French, he would have received a more favorable response.
Instead of giving up, Mohamed decided to publish his stories online.  He joined forums, posted poetry, and eventually, received a great number of comments and feedback on his writing.  His stories can all be found online at his blog, and his poetic comments can be found on many blogs, including Global Voices.
Jillian C. York:  What do you enjoy reading?
Mohamed Ali Lagouader:  Right now I am reading British Novelist Richard Adams’s Watership Down, for the fifth time, and Medieval Andalusian Writer Ibn Hazam’s Tawq al-Hamama (The Ring of the Dove, which is about love and lovers –as you may know), for the third time.
It may shock many readers, but the truth is I’m no great reader myself. I have never had a bookcase or personal library in all my life. Although I read hundreds of thousands of pages, most of my readings were (old) newspapers, magazines and booklets –rather than thick books. In fact, very seldom did I purchase new books from bookstores. I had many friends who had a maddening  quantity of books (that they didn’t read), so I was happy to borrow from them books and publications that I read at home. Also my younger brother, who is an avid reader, used to bring home something to read.
But I would say that when I do read something, I usually read it from cover to cover –unless it’s really boring. I also read the landscape and almost everything I can see––as part of this amazing “Open Book” of God’s Creation. And that includes, among other things, the names of streets and shops that I notice when I’m travelling by bus, by taxi, etc. or when walking through an unfamiliar neighbourhood.
As a student, I was lucky to read books by great (mostly Western) writers. But if I had to single out just one that I really liked so much, it would be The River Between by Kenyan Writer Ngugi wa Thiongo. I was also lucky to read the Holy Koran, part of the Hadith, Ibn Khaldun’s Muqaddima”, Ibn al-Muqaffae’s Kalila Wa Dimna, and a book that I miss up to this day, which was written by a Lebanese unknown writer: “The Story of Faith as Perceived by Science, Religion and Philosophy”. The book was in Arabic, and that’s one of the best books I have ever read. (I lent it to someone who never returned it to me.)
JCY: Who are your favorite authors?
MAL:  I have no favourite authors as such, to be honest. However, I liked Edgar Allan Poe  and Ernest Hemingway, to mention just two. I was entranced when I read Annabel Lee at the age of 20. I loved reading The Old Man and the Sea, a year later. But it was French Science-Fiction Writer Pierre Boulle’s La Planète des Singes (Planet of the Apes) that marked a turning point in my writing career. Before reading this book (in 1984) I had written mostly poems in Moroccan Arabic, but from that day on I tried my luck with fiction writing. I should also mention Moroccan Medieval Poet Sidi Abderrahman El Majdoub, the only writer who has ever had a direct impact on my thinking. His famous “Diwan” (which is only 30 or 40 pages long) was one of two books that influenced not only my writing but also my personality. The other book was a biography of Muslim Warrior Khalid ibn al-Walid .
I am very sensitive to poetry, especially Arabic poetry. So in this respect I would rank Al-Mutanabbi  and Antarah ibn Shaddad  as my favourites.
JCY: What inspires your writing?
MAL:   It depends. For example, in the Spring of 1992, I read chapters from a book in Arabic called “Al-Sira Al- Hilaliya”. “Al-Hilaliya” is a series of tales about legendary heroes from the Arabic history. What I liked most in the volume I read was the way prose alternated with verse without breaking the flow of the story. In fact, the poetry propelled the plot in just the same way dialogue did. And I liked this style so much that I decided to emulate it. Thus came to me the idea of writing “The Poet”, which is my longest novel.
I once heard in a TV story about Sudan that some populations there would have to stay patiently on one side of the river until it subsided and became passable. I was struck by this piece of information and thus the idea of crossing such a river became the central part of the plot of my story, “The Philosopher”.  As to the idea behind “The Tailor”, it simply came from within home. One of my sisters is a (modern) embroiderer, and she always has magazines featuring traditional (mostly Moroccan)  dresses, which I used to glance through. But these, you know, were just “ideas”. I mean, there’s always something fermenting in the “sub-conscience”, so when something suddenly triggers off a story or a poem, it only unveils what was hiding in the background (i.e. feelings, thoughts, etc.) The triggers often come in the form of first lines of a story or poem. In the case of “The Philosopher” and “The Tailor”, the triggers nagged me as I was biking on the outskirts of my hometown of Mohammedia.
Another example is my short piece “The Evil Eye”. As I was coming back home from a walk in the woods, I saw a woman grazing a cow. I then suddenly found myself asking a curious question: what if this woman lost this cow? (I am accustomed to seeing dead cows around my neighbourhood). Thus came to me not only the idea of the story but also the trigger: I wrote the whole story in less than three hours and posted it on the Web on the same day.
As to poetry, I really just don’t know how poems come to me––although I could –if I wished– write a poem as a creative writing exercise without any sort of inspiration.
However, I can say that the first poem in the series of my French poems (I mean, Là-bas)was inspired by a young Malian poet I heard speak on RFI about his hometown, the Malian spiritual center of Tambouktou.
JCY: How has posting your stories online affected your writing?
MAL:  Oh, online posting has been an absolute Godsend for me. First, I have found a growing audience. Secondly, I’ve got the feeling that there was sort of a need for my fiction, especially among Muslim forum users. But, interestingly enough, most of the feedback I got on my stories came from non-Muslims, such as this comment: “Excellent language! I marveled from the beginning to the end. I would love to read other works by you. You have such a unique language and style that is well distinguished from others. I can see you getting far with your works. God bless you.” And this one, “I thought this was a marvelous piece. Your writing style kept me engaged and the logical reasoning of Yetto was very amusing. It was unlike anything I've really read before and even the alignment (though a technical error) interested me! Great piece of work! Keep writing!”
JCY:  Who is your audience?
MAL:  Well, as I enjoyed works by writers from different parts of the world, I bet my readers too will be from different backgrounds and cultures. My fiction may have an Islamic tinge and flavour, but –judging by the feedback I referred to earlier– I’m confident it will appeal to readers irrespective of their faith or nationality.
JCY:  What do you hope to achieve, as a writer, in the future?
MAL:  Getting one’s work into print is every writer’s dream and I’m no exception. Meanwhile, I am delighted that more and more people are viewing my stories on the Web and enjoying them.

author: Jillian C. York


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Morocco: The Case of Rachid Niny · Global Voices
Jillian C. York

Laila Lalami wonders why the case of Rachid Niny is receiving so little global attention.

source: news-globalvoices

license: Creative Commons - Attribution - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/


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Morocco: The salon · Global Voices
Jillian C. York

Nicole of Moving to Morocco shares a heartwarming firsthand story of Moroccan hospitality.


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Philippines: Politician’s dilemma · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Doralicious, a city councilor, is confused whether to publicly promote events through billboards. She said: “If I do not promote my events, people would say I am a useless councilor…But if I do promote my projects via tarpaulins, they then say that these are unnecessary expenses.”

author: Mong Palatino


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Singapore: Online street maps · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Miyagi.sg notes the importance of maps and street directories today, especially given the rising prices of fuel.


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Thailand: Credit cards   · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Thailand Crisis explains why credit cards are booming in Thailand.


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India: The Olympic Torch and Tibet · Global Voices
Kamla Bhatt

It seems like Tibet refuses to go away from people's mind. Tibet continues to be the dominant topic of conversation and is clearly gathering a lot of public support, especially in virtual India. Baichung Bhutia, India's well-known football player has refused to carry the Olympic torch when it comes to India in mid-April. Bhutia is a Buddhist from the Indian state of Sikkim. Bhutia told the Indian media that this was his way of standing up for the people of Tibet, and clearly Bhutia's stance has resonated with many Indian bloggers.
Sushbh of Insanity Rediscovered writes that he is very pround of Bhutia's stance on Tibet and not carrying the Olympic torch, while Sudharshan writes that he does not care if the Indian football team makes it the world cup final, and is very proud of Bhutia's decision. Patrix writes that finally we have an Indian celebrity who can stand up to China.
However Avinash differs and writes that Tibet should be discussed but now now since the Olympics is a global event. What Avinash is pointing out in his blog is that Tibet and Beijing Olympics issues need to be de-coupled.
While Bhutia has decided not to carry the torch, Bollywood actor Aamir Khan announced that he will be part of the Olympic torch. To say that Aamir Khan's decision to carry the Olympic torch has created a buzz would be a bit of an understatement. Khan,(probably the only Bollywood actor with a blog) writes about his decision to carry the Olympic torch:
“I categorically state that I am absolutely against any form of violence, and certainly I am deeply upset whenever the basic rights of human beings are violated anywhere in the world.”
He adds:
“I request those of you who have asked me to stay away from the Olympic Torch Relay to understand that when I do run with the torch on the 17th of April it is not in support of China. In fact it will be with a prayer in my heart for the people of Tibet, and indeed for all people across the world who are victims of human rights violations.”
Khan's blog post has created quite a bit of reaction from the bloggers. Raman's Strategic Analysis in his open letter to Aamir Khan writes:
“You have millions of admirers as an artist all over the world. You will continue to have millions of admirers what ever be your final decision. But many of them will have feelings of vacuum in their hearts over your failure to distinguish between the right and the wrong.”
Prasanna Vishwanathan of Benched@Bangalored finds Khan's explanation “convoluted” and writes:
“(Khan) he cannot camouflage the fact that commercial consideration motivates his decisions rather than any lofty intentions .Or it could well be that oppression in Iraq or Afghanistan by US could or NBA agitatation against Modi government is what strikes emotional chord in Aamir Khan's heart.The selective heart-bledding has been consistent hallmark of left liberal intelligenstia.”

author: Kamla Bhatt


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Zimbabwe: Anyone know someone with a truck?  · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

As Zimbabweans face an uncertain future following the presidential and parliamentary elections last week, Harare has become the capital of rumours and jokes created to be spread virally using SMS. “Harare has literally been bitten with rumours,” writes Comrade Fatso:
Rumour rhymes with ‘ruma’, Shona for bite. Harare has literally been bitten by rumours. Our city is famed for many things but one thing specifically. The ability to turn no news into headlines. The skill of spinning no knowledge into street wisdom. The hustle of selling unconfirmed stories on a hungry parallel market. Our only non-state daily newspaper was bombed so the people’s paper is the people’s stories, nyayas that circulate like a whisper at a bottle store. Mugabe has fled to Malaysia. Morgan has 68% of the presidential vote. Mujuru has lost her seat. Morgan’s win is being broadcast live on TV. A people starved of truth begin to manufacture their own. So truths roam Harare like street kids, tapping your window at every robot. Like an undelivered text message notification ringing on your phone. Constantly.
Political jokes are spreading fast. Comrade Fatso again:
Anyone know someone with a truck? There's a guy wanting to move all his stuff from State House to Zvimba. The jokes spread as text messages refer to our aged dictator relocating to his rural home. People really do believe this is a general election – because our generals decide who gets elected. Another joke walking the streets of Harare is that the only difference between an election and an erection is that you can't rig the latter.
Dumisani Nyoni is probably the only blogger in Zimbabwe offering a different perspective of what is happening in Zimbabwe. He is critical of the role of global media:
It is shocking how the media in South Africa and that emanating mainly from countries in Europe and North America has gone ahead and made bold declarations about Zimbabwe’s recent election without paying much attention to the legal proceedings that dictate the unfolding of events here.
1. they have been drumming up since before voting closed been declaring that the president, Robert Mugabe, as lost the election, and the blitz has been so total that the intention seems to be to convince the whole world that the desired outcome of people not in Zimbabwe, who did not vote, becomes the dominant perception and in a way, reality.
2. the bias on the commentary on the satellite TV station is not surprising, but it is surprisingly anti most of the ethics and values you associate with the ‘independent press.’
3. the media went on for days about how the president and the ruling party were attempting to ‘rig’ the election. The opposition has gone on to declare victory unilaterally before any of the processes stated under law are complete which are actually slow by their nature and based on the nature of this most recent election. No one is accusing the opposition of ‘stealing’ the election. Where is the balance there? Imagine the President had declared himself the winner Sunday morning. What would those same ‘defenders of democracy’ have stated?
a. The same opposition which woke up the morning after the election is claiming fraud is now claiming that the same fraudulent election is one which they have won… how?
b. The same people who stated last night that they will wait for the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to issue the official results and that they will follow the official results have now gone and stated that they will declare victory based on their own results which they have collated [some of which I have seen and are very different to what has been the actual results]. Yet the same media stations are accepting, tolerating and even promoting all of this.
c. Imagine if the government had done the same – the outrage, and retaliation by the ‘international community.’
Then when Robert Mugabe rages on about his fight against imperialism and western domination, and western bullying and the lack of respect of the principles of sovereignty, people say he is a disgruntled old dictator? Wouldn’t you be upset if you were in his position everyday for 15 years?
He explains why the results have not been coming in as fast as most people expected:
There is a very interesting process which I have been so privileged to observe from a front row seat. As I write, election results are being announced from difference races across the country, they are appearing slowly, but surely. I think it is important to give a context to how this election has been set up:
There are 4 different elections happening simultaneously: local council elections, lower house parliamentary seats [House of Assembly], the Upper House of parliament [The Senate] and the Presidency. There are 1 958 local council seats up for election in 1 958 wards around the country, there are 210 House of Assembly seats up for grabs, there are sixty senate seats and one presidential seat. Now each one of these positions has at least two candidates contesting, with some having as many as seven candidates (and in other cases more). So there are a lot of people involved in contesting for all the elected offices in zimbabwe.
The post-voting electoral process
The process itself, that has come about out of a series of negotiations between the government and the opposition over the course of the past 12 months has meant that significant changes have been made to the electoral law in the country. New law requires that every polling station counts their ballots AT the station – this is in order to avoid rigging or tampering with ballot boxes in transit to any other location. This has been done in accordance with the law in every case. In a ward, you can get up to 3 or 4 polling stations depending on population data. In a constituency, you can get as many as 15 wards. This means that per constituency you get about 60 polling stations.
When the voting is done in that polling station, counting for all four seats begins – the local council, the lower house, the upper house and the presidency. For each candidate, there is a polling agent present to preside over the counting and to contest what they may deem to be deviations from due process or law. A result is only official when all the polling agents agree to it; hence in the case where there are disputes, this can take a while. Now remember, that this is happening for every single ballot, and every candidate's representatives can argue their cause. When a final result is reached and agreed upon by all parties and everyone signs to confirm such, the result for that polling station is posted on the entry way to that station. The official result is then sent to the ‘Command Center’ of that constituency. So in each constituency, they would have to wait for all sixty or so polling stations to reach that agreement, and then send the results to a central place where they are collated, and again agreed upon by all the Chief Election Agents of the candidates [if they chose to have agents represent them] and then a final result is reached.
The mistake most people are making is that they see the result outside one polling station, take that as the overall result and then cry “that results are out. Why are they not being announced” and are completely ignorant of the process that must be taken to ensure that all parties involved at that local level are satisfied.
If there was rigging, Dumisani argues, it was mostly done by the opposition:
The international news media is buzzing with stories about how these delays are being caused by the government trying to buy time and rig the election. I think that is all the elections I have participated in and observed in Zimbabwe, this has been the most free, fair and competitive election. There was almost no violence leading up to the election. For the first time, you actually had a lot of oppositions parties using main stream including government controlled media to campaign and having access to the electorate almost on par with the government [I saw almost, because the government always has the advantage of incumbency. If a government minister is commissioning a new project for example, that is a ‘national duty’ and not a political meeting so the electoral rules don't necessarily apply, but any smart operator would use that platform to plug for their cause]. This doesn't mean that everything about the period leading up to the election was fair, but I think the environment really has allowed for people to express their will.
Even the post-election process I feel has provided for much more fairness than before. What is really surprising to me is the extent to which immediately after the election was done, the main opposition (the MDC party led by Morgan Tsvangirai) went on a global media blitz claiming the election is being rigged and already setting up an environment for those who are either not really aware of the details of the process, or who are far removed from it to prejudge all that is happening. I was really surprised by this and think it to be a really sleazy tactic.
Rigging, if it is taking place, is not happening with people stuffing boxes full of paper etc. It is happening on very technical grounds where those who are least informed on electoral law and procedure don't know how to play the game fully.
Most people reading this will be surprised by what I am about to say, but in my observations, I saw the greatest cases of foul play [call it rigging if you will] coming from the opposition. And their methodology for this is very sophisticated. Let me try and explain…
When we were children, there was a tactic where if there was a dispute between us as kids playing together, lets say, one kid hits another, the initiator of the transgression would run to an adult and cry the loudest and claim they were hit. The adult would run out in response and to the surprise of everyone watching would lash out at the person who actually was smacked in the first place, but it was too late, the initiative had been lost by the ‘victim’. It was a smart tactic which worked most of the time, but it left the person who was really hit feeling very, very unjustly treated.
A similar thing has happened in this election from what I have seen. The MDC has run out screaming that we've been cheated, there is rigging etc. they've smartly managed tog et everyone watching the wrong place while they smugly cook the books where they can. It's a very close election in most cases so every point counts. Let me give you examples of what I mean, without mentioning specific locations and situations as this could have legal implications.
The widespread belief is that the government will rig the election because it is so popular that it cannot win the election fairly. They say it will rig it because it has deployed civil servants to oversee the election. In reality, the people who have the greatest animosity towards the government are civil servants. Teachers, Nurses, Police etc. they are the lowest paid people in the country and yet have the most expected from them. So we found in 3 places, and I think this is a sample behavior of what you would find nation wide, whereby you had electoral officials, employed by the government trying to work things in favor of the opposition.
Kubatana asked their SMS subscribers to text their dreams for a new Zimbabwe:
In addition to inviting email contributions, we also asked our many SMS subscribers what a new Zimbabwe looks like to them. Read some of their ideas below, and text your dreams for a new Zimbabwe to +263912452201
•	We need fuel to be available in service stations, to access forex in the banks, free primary education, affordable health delivery system and cheap food for all
•	New Zimbabwe – new constitution by the people for the people.
•	Good international relations then total globalization
•	Changes(1)Re-currency(coins&notes)(2)Stop paying war vets(3)Reduce gvt ministries(4) promote industrial &agric investment
•	Racial integration – equal opportunities 4 blacks and whites etc eg cricket team, sustainable labour laws, respect 4 property rights, free market, free media, just want more!
•	We should never again leave power in the hands of one man.
•	Truth and reconciliation commission. . . Clean the mess and corruption in councils and parastatals and c.i.o. . .
•	Fill up shops with goods. We don’t want black markets. Open up closed industries.
•	Free the airwaves, scrap aippa, posa & indigensation bill, give back tertiary students financial assistance
•	In the new free Zim govt policies should be worker friendly iregardless of sectors. reduce income tax and stabilise economy and mend international relations.
•	We want the new govt to free the airwaves.
•	Pres M Tsvangirai and MDC should be left alone to form a cabinet & govt no links to corrupt zanu pf officials
•	We need proper education for our children. Also to have money not bearer cheques with these shit useless billions. We want to use coins and proper notes.
•	Mugabe and the crew should respect the will of the people enough is enough unless if they declare one party state then the electorate will know. We want those results to be announced we are part of sadc we should abide by the rules that govern that body period.
•	No political beatings, many newspapers, tv stations, cheap goods, electricity, clean water, hospitals and jobs
It has been reported that Zanu PF youth showed up at headquarters of the main opposition dressed as MDC members:
Yesterday afternoon, Zanu PF youths dressed in the regalia of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party visited the MDC’s headquarters at Harvest House in Harare, saying that “we must demonstrate on the streets”.
Fortunately, the MDC received prior warning and the situation was defused.
This was followed by an intelligence report earlier this morning that Zanu PF had called in youths to their headquarters in Harare. They were told that the MDC had brought back all of the white people from the region to take back the farms. They were also fed the traditional Zanu PF rhetoric that Zimbabweans – through their voting – have demonstrated they no longer believe.
According to our sources, they were then planning to march to Harvest House and provoke a situation. Riot police have been put on stand by to “deal with any situations”.
A report just received from the Masvingo in the south of the country warns that armed men are being deployed in the rural areas.
Zimbabwe is on a knife edge. The MDC says it is absolutely essential for South Africa and neighbouring countries to act now as the situation is extremely volatile.
The Zimbabwean government has acted with ruthlessness in the past and all indications are that it will do so again.
There has been a lot of discussions about Mugabe's practical options. Hope comes up with four options:
What are Mugabe’s options realistically?
1. Go through the run-off against Tsvangirai and unleash violence on the people and rig the result to the last paper in the box. I am hoping he is too arrogant to do this (as my UK friend seems convinced of now), but what if he does do this? We just need to prepare and stay calm and keep our eye on the ball. What’s different now is he has to go through a run-off in the face of a nation that already knows he is a loser and in a weak position. He also has to do it with the world staring at him like he’s an insect under a microscope.
2. Avoid the run-off and retire. I hope so, but this will involve losing face so it’s a hard one for me to imagine him doing as much as I would like too.
3. Try to bluff it out and declare himself the outright winner and refuse a run-off. This is very Mugabe-esque to me, but he has to deal with the uncertainty of how the world and the people will react. It isn’t that I think he cares about what anyone thinks – he doesn’t – its more that I’m not sure how he can ever begin to hope to solve the crisis facing him with hyper-inflation etc, if the world thinks he has stolen the election. He needs legitimacy to get the help and investment he needs. At the end of the day, its the economy that’s his biggest enemy, not the opposition. Poverty speaks directly to our lives; not even Mugabe has come with an AIPPA-like law that can silence those truths.
4. The final option is the talk, the fear that everyone has been expressing tonight with the latest news – of him avoiding a run-off by imposing military rule. Maybe, but this must be kept in perspective.
Lastly, from This is Zimbabwe blog, “This time last week we voted for freedom“:
… and a week later we know we got it, but we’re waiting for the ‘official’ confirmation. I have to put the word ‘official’ in quote marks because anything ‘official’ coming out of the Zimbabwean government is usually a pack of lies and designed to prop up a certain old man.
I just learned that the MDC’s attempt to go to court to force ZEC to announce the result we are all waiting to hear was thwarted by armed police…

author: Ndesanjo Macha


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Angola: 2008 elections · Global Voices
Paula Góes

“The Angolan people are called to go to the polls, this year in September 2008, to elect their representatives to the National Assembly. There have been 17 years since the Angolan voted.” Feliciano J.R. Cangüe has a list of the nearly 100 parties which may be competing in this elections.

author: Paula Góes


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Argentina: high school students use online video to report their issues. · Global Voices
Juliana Rincón Parra

By uploading a video on YouTube, argentinean high school students managed to get mass media's attention[es] to their plight: the need for a building where they can receive classes. Currently the Ipem 112 “César Iñíguez Montenegro”, in Sebastián Elcano, a village to the north of the Cordoba capital in Argentina are receiving lessons at an elementary school. However, because the elementary school has double shifts, the high school students are forced to receive evening classes, as if it were a night school.
The parents of these students took over the building at the end of March, and they decided they will not move until they see machinery and the start of construction for their promised building, or at least get a formal start date. Earlier this year, it had been promised that by March they would have the school. The INEM students receive classes in social sciences and communications and they shoot newscasts for a local tv channel, and all this content they upload on the web to reach a wider audience.  As a matter of fact, it was through their YouTube channel that this news managed to spread  throughout Argentina.
On the following video in Spanish, the parents speak about how they've been waiting 20 years for the government to build the IPEM 112 school, discuss how the principal of the Carpani Costa Elementary School, where the high school students have been receiving classes, agrees to the peaceful occupation,  and how they will take over the school completely and undefinitely, until they see construction begin on the promised building.

author: Juliana Rincón Parra


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Armenia: Hunger Strike · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

The Armenaker Kamilion posts a list of demands by several opposition activists detained during the recent state of emergency in Armenia. They include declaring the disputed 19 February presidential election invalid and the release of over a hundred opposition figures currently under arrest.

author: Onnik Krikorian


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Azerbaijan: Cuisine · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Carolyn & Jesse's Azerbaijan Peace Corps Blog introduces its readers to Azerbaijani cuisine. Although the blog says that the nutritional value of many of the meals on offer is questionable it concludes that there are some “real treasures in the country” and provides a culinary tour of some of them.


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Azerbaijan: Taza Mosque · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

An American in Azerbaijan pays a village to the Taza Mosque in Baku. Built in the early 1900s, the mosque is currently undergoing restoration in an area of the Azerbaijani capital that few foreigners visit.


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Blogger of the Week: Abdullatif Alomar · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Kuwaiti blogger Abdullatif Alomar, 30, caught the blogging bug in January 2005 and has never looked back since.
In January 2007, he started doing weekly round ups for Global Voices Online, covering his country's blogosphere, which now spans about 800 blogs.
Like many others, Abdullatif saw the potential of blogging early on, as a means to articulate his thoughts and opinions. Following is our interview:
Why did you start blogging?
“I started blogging because I wanted to express myself, to improve my English typing skills and also because I have many ideas and not everyone in my close ring would understand or be interested in them. I write about nothing and everything and post what I feel people should notice – sometimes it is political, sometimes funny and sometimes what some may call a brain fart,” says the management information system student, who is working towards obtaining his Bachelor's.
Do you get the reactions you anticipate from readers?
Most of the time, no. Sometimes I talk about something important and people do not care; sometimes people do not understand what I mean by the post and over look it. But my experience as a blogger is fulfilling, because when I write something I feel as it's an idea that is out of my mind, and archived outside it, and that it may get a look someday or that it already got a look and made people discuss something.
Can you describe to us the Kuwaiti blogopshere? What do bloggers write about?
I don't think the Kuwaiti blogsphere is describable. It covers many topics and in many formats  – Arabic, English, Arabic in English letters (which I personally hate – but hey, some people like that!). I have read many topics – some are personal about their lives;  some talk and discuss politics; others are trying to start something (change) or are simply talking about the latest fashions in shoes or cake recipes.
Is the blogosphere reflective of the Kuwaiti society? Are blogs the new mirror of society? Are they its pulse?
I wouldn't say the blogsphere reflects the whole of Kuwait – but it reflects a big part of it, and it's growing every day. Youth have a bigger foothold on blogs than elders, which is normal because blogs are a product of technology. But things are changing. In the 2006 Parliamentary elections, no candidates opened blogs or forums. A lot did not give much thought to blogs. But bloggers are playing an important role in the upcoming elections on May 17, 2006. There is more participation from blogs and although politicians aren't campaining online, bloggers are writing about it. Some have even announced their support for certain candidates.
Are politicians following what is being said on blogs? Are they interacting with it? Or are blogs in one world and the politicians in another?
This is hard to say. Also bloggers aren't going to ask or say something that no one is thinking of. Well for the majority, I mean most bloggers, would want a better Kuwait and that what most politicians will promise them.
Kuwait is a forerunner in freedom of expression. Compared to the rest of the region, your newspapers are freer. Why do you think people are blogging? And are blogs an alternative to mainstream media?
There are many reasons why we have blogs. Some bloggers wish they worked in a newspaper but aren't, so they blog; some just like me, aren't interested in newspapers and just want to write whenever they feel like; and some write stuff that newspapers wouldn't run. Newspapers in Kuwait are free to a degree. Newspapers in Kuwait, just as in the US, are controlled by advertising revenue in most cases. Most wouldn't run an article badmouthing a bank because that would equal losing revenue.
Is there any censorship in the Kuwaiti blogosphere? And why do a lot of bloggers prefer to remain anonymous?
There isn't censorship on blogs – but most of the control is due to self-censorship. As to why would a Kuwaiti like to remain anonymous, it's rooted in Kuwaiti culture. First of all, Kuwait is considered a small country by most standards. People are close and kinship is very important. So when a blogger writes his name, he is known and people will discuss what he said in his blogs and sometimes people do not want to discuss these topics with people they know or with their relatives. For example, if a blogger writes about a bank, saying they are bad, and if his name is known to someone working in the bank as his relative, irrelevant about how far or close they are, people would feel that complaining about it on a blog is cheap shot. And people sometimes discuss the man and not the idea – which I consider the main reason why people avoid going public with their blogs. For instance, if a liberal explains an idea, no matter how good or bad it is, there is a big chance his audience will not think of it because of what he is.
Explain this point some more. Why wouldnt people consider the ideas of a liberal?
Because he is not one of us, it's not only with liberals. It's him against us. We are liberal , he is Islamic Brotherhood. We are tribal, he is a city dweller. People label others and say: he sucks, he has an agenda, he is getting a kick back, and so forth. So some bloggers try to avoid this by not saying who they are.
So people would only listen to those they agree with ideologically?
Most of the time, yes.
Why is that?
It is easier for them. When you only listen to people you agree with ideologically, you don't need to activate the logic department in your brain. You are stuck in thinking: oh my people are good, oh them, bad!
I can't agree more. When do u think we will move on from this mentality? When will we take criticism as something constructive and not a personal attack?
When we can stand in one line? People do not stand in one line for anything – be it a condolence or buying bread.
Is there a sense of Arab nationalism in Kuwaiti blogs?
I wouldn't say there is Arab nationalism in Kuwaiti blogs, since after the Iraqi invasion in 1990, Arab nationalism was withdrawn from most Kuwaiti minds after the shock of what we saw and how the Arab street reacted and how it felt about Kuwait.
Is the pain of the Iraqi invasion still evident in Kuwaiti blogs? Are there still scars?
Not many speak about it, but after years of no Arab nationalism injection in schools and homes, generations have grown without any.
Has the arrest and release of Bashar Al Sayegh effected the way bloggers write?
At the start it sparked fear in many bloggers. Some stopped writing political topics altogether and others cut down on criticism of the government because everything was foggy. But when the fog was lifted and people realised that Bashar wasn't arrested for his blog  but for a post published by someone else on a forum he runs, people went back to writing what they wanted.
What are your hopes for the Kuwaiti blogosphere?
I hope the blogsphere would become more mature and have a bigger more positive influence on Kuwait, and generate a more positive look from people towards bloggers.

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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Cape Verde: Gilberto Freyre at my greatgranny’s · Global Voices
Paula Góes

Jorge Sousa Brito [pt] posts photos and writes about an incredible and wonderful story: the day that the Brazilian sociologist, cultural anthropologist Gilberto Freyre dropped at this great grandmother's house when he visited Cape Verde in 1951.


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China: Chinese protest in London you never see on BBC · Global Voices
John Kennedy

Bridge-blogging has taken on a whole new meaning now in China since armies of multilingual netizens started scouring the known media universe last month for inaccuracy or distortions in reports regarding China or, more specifically, Tibet.
Though there was no mention of the anti-China protests which took place in London today on Chinese state-owned media and very  little to be seen on all incoming media, many people inside and out of China are quite capable in English, and it took about nine seconds for someone at anti-CNN.com to find reason to start yet another ‘anti-CNN’ thread: the large torch-welcoming protest held by London's Chinese community near 10 Downing Street wasn't covered today by the BBC.
From YouTube user cnsunshugmail:
Why on BBC's all day live coverage I only see tibet protests but never see supporting Beijing Olympic from Chinese students like this video? Is western medias really impartial like they claim them are? And do they still have the right to blame Chinese media censorship?
From anti-CNN.com thread ‘censored!! chinese protest in London you never see on BBC’:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8cuVFuwKbk
请大家支持这个视频。让更多人看到！！！！
有可能无法观看，请善用代理软件。
如果实在没法看，但是肯定可以打开网页。也请在点下Favorite和Rate 下的第五颗星星！！
This video has been taken on 6/04/08
(中文下面）Chinese students protest against western media bias and welcoming the Olympic torch arrival in London.
The location is near the number 10 downing street Whitehall, Westminster – London.
The BBC report shows the free Tibet groups nearby but near show the Chinese student's protest. SHAME ON YOU BBC.
2008年4月6日在伦敦唐宁街首相府附近拍摄的中国学生和爱国人士的爱国迎接奥运圣 火游行。 这次游行有来自全英国各地的同胞，远到苏格兰，曼城。在游行中大家自豪的高唱国歌 ，对过来挑衅的藏DU人士大声叱喝。 我在唱国歌的时候差点感动到流下眼泪，不得不哽咽的坚持唱下去。我们在海外的学子是多 么的团结！！！
我们的游行队伍大概和旁边的藏DU不相上下，但是BBC的新闻中完全没有报道我们。 让我对BBC 彻底失望。 希望在接下来的圣火传递中，我们的兄弟同胞能团结一致站起来，喊出我们中华民族的心声 ！
Everybody, please support this video. Let more people see it!!!!
You might not be able to view it, so try using proxy software.
If you still can't watch it, you should still be able to open the page. So please click ‘Favorite’ and rate it with five stars!!
This video has been taken on 6/04/08
(see Chinese text below）Chinese students protest against western media bias and welcoming the Olympic torch arrival in London.
The location is near the number 10 downing street Whitehall, Westminster – London.
The BBC report shows the free Tibet groups nearby but near show the Chinese student's protest. SHAME ON YOU BBC.
On April 6 Chinese students and patriots held a march near the Prime Minister's office on Downing St. to welcome the Olympic torch. Co-patriots came from all over England to march, from as far as Scotland and Manchester. During the march everybody sang the national anthem proudly and loudly, and was shouting loudly at the pro-Tibetan *****endence people who came to provoke. Singing the national anthem, I was almost moved to tears, and even though I was choking I had to keep on singing. See how united we overseas students are!!!
Our procession was about the same size as the pro-Tibetan *****endence one beside us, but BBC News didn't report on us at all. This leaves me so disappointed in the BBC. I hope that in the coming torch relays, our brother-compatriots can unite together and stand up, and shout with the voice of the Chinese people!
支持~~支持~~支持~~
看不到视频。。。。。。
From another anti-CNN.com thread:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8cuVFuwKbk 中国加油，中国人加油！
可惜国内总是被屏蔽。。。
什么也看不到，这点就不太厚道了。。。
我看不到 谁有看到 ?很想 看 等待中~~
it's does not matter. we have one heart, China. let them do what they want. at least they let us hug
屏蔽哪里有哦,我在重庆都看得到
很好,很强大,让世界听听中国真正的声音,让CNN死去吧,不实报道
http://www.youtube.com/user/zhangyileo 在这里 可以 打开
大家留意一下,有可能是youtube屏蔽中国用户, 请专家考证一下
看到3, 有血气的中国人! 在海外更知道中国的伟大!
不知道为什么,youtube 上有时能看,有时又不能. 不过他封j你一个帐号,再申请一个又上.总要让我们的声音被听见.持续地坚持住, 反对偏见!
支持海外学子，B4 BBC！
我也打不開, 用工具下也下不了 – -~ 爲什麽不直接用代碼貼視頻呢
总算看到了，不错，正气
有可能是youtube屏蔽中国用户

author: John Kennedy


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Colombia: Internet Usage Survey · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

A recent poll conducted of 7,000 Colombian revealed some interesting findings regarding internet use in that country.  Bloggings by Boz has some thoughts on the results.

author: Eduardo Avila


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Egypt: Strike Blog Updates · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Egyptian bloggers have set up a new blog which will post updates throughout today's general strike in Arabic.


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Honduras: More on Contaminated Cantaloupes · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

La Gringa's Blogicito writes about the continuing controversy regarding contaminated cantaloupes in Honduras.  The president Mel Zelaya reportedly ate a cantaloupe on the international news in order to prove that there was nothing wrong with this important export, but controversy arose whether he ate a honeydew instead.


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Iran:Salehi is out of jail · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Salam Demokrat informs[Fa] us that Mahmoud Salehi,an Iranian leading worker activist, is out of jail. He was in prison for more than one year. You can watch a video about him.

author: Fred Petrossian


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Japan: 7th Tokyo Pride Parade announced · Global Voices
Hanako Tokita

7th Tokyo Pride Parade (TTP7th) has been announced and the official blog [jp]has been launched. Scheduled for August 9, the theme for this year's TPP is “matsuri”, or festival in Japanese.

author: Hanako Tokita


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Japan: Family registry system and same-sax couples · Global Voices
Hanako Tokita

Blogger Maruyama Teruno discusses the gay-unfriendly nature of the Japanese family registry system, referred to as koseki, and argues that the system lacks consideration for the privacy of individuals. Even if partnership law was implemented but the current family registry system remained the same, it could potentially violate the privacy of those who do not wish to reveal their sexual orientation to their family and relatives.


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Japan: Ikeda Nobuo on new Internet censorship bill · Global Voices
Chris Salzberg

Blogger Ikeda Nobuo writes in English about a new bill submitted by LDP legislator Takaichi Sanae to censor “harmful” content on the Japanese Internet. He writes that “mainstream media are silent, probably because the bill would kill their enemy.”

author: Chris Salzberg


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Japan in full bloom · Global Voices
Hanako Tokita

Spring has come to Japan with the first cherry blossoms of the year. People anxiously wait for the blossom forecast announced by the Meteorological Agency, while marking their calendar for the best day for blossom viewing (hanami). As the cherry blossoms front (sakurazensen) moved northwards, the cherry trees started blooming in Shizuoka, Kumamoto and Tokyo on March 22, a few days earlier than average.　Many Japanese bloggers have taken the opportunity to snap pictures of the blossoms.
Rieko Koizumi of One Drop Room with Flowers, a photo blog that features pictures of flowers she encounters in her daily life, took a picture of a cherry flower before the cherry blossom season was “officially announced”.
夕方近く、遠くから、濃い目のピンクが目に付いて近寄ってみると
ひっそり咲いていました。
Here are some pieces from another photo blog skyseeker
桜木町駅と新港地区とを結ぶプロムナード｢汽車道｣の桜並木。
その美しさと言ったら、なんとも形容し難く、いい言葉が見つからないですね。
Blogger A Blue Swan reflects on why cherry blossoms are so special to Japanese culture:
桜ももう満開。桜なんて虫もつくし、花が咲いていないときは大して美しくもないし、建材にも使えないし、実も食べられないし、折角咲いた花もあっという間に散るし、まぁ役に立つ木ではありませんね。でも、日本人はこの花を愛してきた。それは、古来日本人が持っていた「無常観」がこの花の存在と重なるからかもしれません。あっという間に散ってしまう花びらに、あっという間に死んでしまう人間の姿を投影したのですね。そして、それを良しとした。
sputnik blog posted pictures of cherry blossoms in a field of rapeseed flowers from their hanami trip, including the one above,  and wrote:
今年も行ってきました。去年と同じ場所に花見。やっぱりきれい、来て良かった。去年は昼過ぎに行って大混雑だったので、今年は朝駆けっていうか、早朝７時前には着いてました。それなのに結構人が来ていたのにはびっくりしたけれど・・・。しかし、おかげでのんびりと眺めることができました。淡いピンクの桜の花とのんびりした黄色い菜の花、この優しい色合いの景色はまるで天国ってこんな感じなんじゃないかと思わせるものがある


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Japan: New Internet regulation bill sparks reactions from bloggers · Global Voices
Chris Salzberg

A new legislative bill aiming to regulate access to “harmful” web content by minors (under age 18), presented to a government panel on March 19th by LDP member Takaichi Sanae (高市早苗), has sparked criticism from Japanese bloggers. Apparently worded by Japan's National Police Agency, the new bill proposes to make ISPs responsible for preventing minors from accessing content that is deemed “harmful”, a definition which includes categories such as “same-sex lifestyle” [ja]. Blogger  Mishima Sakana [ja] notes there has been virtually no mainstream coverage of the bill. Blogger Ikeda Nobuo points out that a new bill proposed by the opposition DPJ is nearly identical to the LDP bill [ja], and that the two parties will likely cooperate on regulation legislation. A wrap-up of blog conversations on the bill is provided by blogger Nobuo Sakiyama [ja], and blogger essa offers some closing words of advice [ja].


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Jordan: The Queen’s Video, New Media Battles & Spring · Global Voices
Naseem Tarawnah

As spring begins to take its course throughout the Kingdom, Jordanian bloggers have had a lot to talk about these past two weeks. HM Queen Rania has become a vlogger, after launching her own YouTube channel with a video that seeks to battle stereotypes that have plagued the Arab world. Global Voices covered the early reactions by Jordanian bloggers, but the Queen's initiative has since picked up steam on the local blogosphere, as the video yields over 2,000 comments and nearly 1 million views in just over a week.
Eman hopes the initiative will be fruitful but is annoyed by a few things:
“What I find upsetting on the other hand is the fact that some of the replies are being offensive, attacking the idea and urging the Queen to address Jordanians rather than the west! to the ones who think this way I say: you seem to have no idea about the activities of the Queen and have no clue about what she’s already accomplished and what she’s still doing in this regard.”
Ahmad Humeid wonders if it can really make a difference:
“Queen Rania cannot be expected to single handedly change geopolitics with a YouTube clip. But at least she is doing something to create a bridge of understanding. And she’s using the right media to do it.”
When it comes to battling stereotypes, Qwaider thinks the Queen may be the best person for the job, while Nasim is amazed at how the video caused a big buzz on the Jordanian blogosphere, even before news of it reached local newspapers and radio stations. Elsewhere, the Queen, who was recently awarded an honorary PhD from the University of Jordan, also took the time to launch a new national education project entitled Madrasati (my school) prompting Naseem Tarawnah to discuss educational reform in Jordan, while Khalaf gives his own unique perspective on the topic.
Initiatives such as the Queen's may only serve to highlight what online free speech is all about, especially for Jordanian bloggers. However, not all is well with free speech in Jordan. Lina gives her take on the recent jailing of several journalists; one of whom ran into trouble for an article he published online. Wael Atill looks at a recent case of identity fraud that has targeted popular Jordanian talk radio host, Mohammad Al Wakeel, that even warranted the launching of an investigation by the Minister of Interior! Meanwhile, amidst rumors of a possible new law for Jordanian online news sites, as well as the implementation of a big brother system in Internet cafes, Hareega wonders if cyber-activism in the Arab world is even worth it any more. Meanwhile, Tololy criticizes an article on the “Arab” blogosphere, which focuses only on Egyptian blogs.
Spring may be the best time for extra-curricular activities; Deemco joins the Action Committee on a trip to a home for the elderly, while Melissa Manning and Wendy Merdian end their three-part series on 7iber dot com, as they conclude their journey of the long forgotten biblical sites of Jordan. Back in the city, Tololy stumbles unexpectedly upon camels grazing in Amman.
The Observer weaves an interesting fictional tale about a Jordanian spinster that might look to be a play in the making! As Ola points to a new blog for Jordanian filmmakers, Amin Matalqa, director of the Jordanian film Captain Abu Raed, posts a brilliant photo essay of sorts, tracing a visit to the Irbid Refugee Camp nearly one year ago; a journey that ended with his discovery of Udey Qiddissi, who would go on to play the role of Tareq in the film.
Speaking of films, Qwaider gives his opinion of the barely controversial Dutch film “Fitna” as blogger Nizar gives his:
“This shows basically nothing about Islam it’s self because all you see is only extreme misinterpretation of a Holy book, and this can be done in all religious books and actually it can be done even clearer in most religions.”
Elsewhere, Jordanian bloggers have been tracking a new advertising war between two telecom giants in the country, Zain and Umniah, whose cell phone deals have caused a consumer frenzy. Samer thinks the campaign is just silly , while theone thinks newspapers are probably pleased with the new war.
Politically Speaking:
On the political side of the blogosphere, Jordanian bloggers are discussing familiar topics. First up has been the issue of the much touted Amman-Zarqa railway, whose plans have been recently scrapped. Ahmad wonders if we can learn anything from the Dubai experience.
Naseem Tarawnah looks at the new traffic law that Parliament recently rejected, while wondering if the King's National Housing Initiative is really all that sustainable. Meanwhile, Emad Salameh reviews the government's decision to lift duty taxes on renewable and energy-conserving devices such as solar panels, but believes the government should be imposing more protectionist policies for local industries.
The search for water in Jordan has been moving at a sluggish pace, and with fears of water shortages and prices increases during the upcoming summer season, the movement has not improved. Batir Wardam looks at the fundamental right to water, and how the average Jordanian fits into the picture.
Khalaf revisits the ancient issue of oil exploration in Jordan, a topic that found a place in the final weeks of the recent Parliamentary session, while Jameed thinks the creation of a new $200 million cancer care and research facility is a great idea.

author: Naseem Tarawnah


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Lebanon: Selling Air · Global Voices
Moussa Bashir

Here is an anecdote that may (or may not) show how industrious the Lebanese can be in coming up with strange ideas to make money or to show their nationalism. Ms Rasha Najjar came up with the idea of trapping air in cans and exporting them. So canned air from Lebanon  was produced and exported to be sold to Lebanese living abroad. Bloggers at Stuff Lebanese People Like and at Ramblings of a Lebanese Hopeful were quick to report on the frenzy.
Tri–Klop posted a promotional video clip of the “Hawa Lebnan” [Lebanese Air] cans and wrote:
Lebanese like to buy and sell everything. Lebanese like to believe they are connected to the ancient sea-faring Phoenician tradesmen. So in addition to their major passtime – eating air (pun intended for those who speak Lebanese), Lebanese also like to sell air. Lebanese have succeeded in putting Lebanese air – Hawa Lebnan – in cans and exporting them. The can has the stamp of the Lebanese Ministry of Economy and Trade.
Meanwhile, Antoun wrote that the Lebanese are just as industrious and entrepreneurial as any other people:
An eBay saavy friend of mine once told me that the Chinese are willing to sell anything on eBay, “even their mothers”, if the price is right.
My response to that is that the Lebanese are just as industrious and entrepreneurial in this regard as any other people. The difference between the Chinese and the Lebanese, however, is that the Chinese will actually follow through with the sale, or at least, you'll get what you paid for. The Lebanese merchant, on the other hand, will try every trick in the book to outbid, outsmart, outwit and outdo the customer such that he comes up on top and still manages to convince the customer of the great bargain he has made.
Case in point: Canned Lebanese Air, or Hawa Lebnan. Rasha Najjar, the kooky lady that came up with the idea, asserts that this is not a marketing ploy, but rather a very nationalist initiative.

author: Moussa Bashir


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Mexico: Smoking Ban in Effect · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Chilanga Banda [es] and DFinitivo [es] write about the prohibition of smoking in enclosed places in Mexico City, which took effect this past weekend.  The ban especially affects bars and restaurants.


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Mozambique: Reflecting on the news · Global Voices
Paula Góes

“In my humble opinion it is necessary that news reporters reflect seriously on the kind of news they offer to society. When absence of facts starts to become rule rather than exception in the news, who do we serve as communicators? Consumers? With no facts or objectivity in addressing the various issues that concern our societies, can we continue to call news what we publish on the newspapers and other media?”. Bayano Valy [pt] asks what should be considered fit for the news.


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Paraguay: Candidate Debate · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Liam of Políticamente Incorrecto [es] provides his thoughts on the recent Paraguayan presidential debate and does not think highly of the ANR candidate Blanca Ovelar's “empty promises.”


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Southeast Europe, Russia: War, Peace, and Shared History · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

In Vladikavkaz, the capital of Russia's North Ossetia, LJ user alan-tskhurbaev ran into a stencil graffiti, whose message (RUS) seemed somewhat unlikely for this North Caucasian region:
Kosovo is Serbia!
Referring to Georgia‘s breakaway region of South Ossetia, whose leaders regard Kosovo independence as a precedent, Oleg Panfilov – LJ user oleg_panfilov, director of the Center for Journalism in Extreme Situations – posted this comment (RUS):
Wasn't there a second part – “South Ossetia is Georgia”?
LJ user alan_tskhurbaev replied (RUS):
Since the question is addressed to me and not to the author of the graffiti, I'll express my own opinion – South Ossetia is not Georgia even more than Kosovo is not Serbia. And here [in North Ossetia], you don't have to write it on the buildings – everyone knows it anyway.
***
Paris-based LJ user sebtinos stumbled upon a history textbook published by the Center for Democracy and Reconciliation in Southeast Europe (CDRSEE): “A textbook that teaches peace,” he described it. Below are some of his thoughts (RUS) on the project:
[…] Sixteen historians from various corners of the Balkans have developed the region's joint history textbook.
The essence is simple. Albanian history textbooks teach that if all other peoples disappear from the earth, Albanian nation will continue to flourish. In Greece, high school students are being taught that “the fall of Constantinople” took place in 1453, while their Turkish counterparts learn about the “liberation of Istanbul.” Students from Skopje, Belgrade and Sofia get to know the history of the “liberation from the Turkish yoke,” while in Ankara they study the “dramatic and unfair war that put an end to the Great Ottoman Empire.”
Indeed, there are as many versions of the Balkan history as there are nations living in this region. Each group is searching through history to find explanations of the present and arguments in favor of the national idea. Kosovo believes it has historical arguments to support its independence. Belgrade is convinced of the opposite. Today, every nation has its own view of the past and isn't really concerned with finding ways to co-exist in the present.
[…]
And it has occurred to me … that, perhaps, the former Soviet republics should stop […] re-writing history separately and finally publish something jointly.
In response to a reader, LJ user sebtinos added:
I had a chance to attend schools in four different countries: USSR, Russia, Ukraine and France. The views differ completely. It's not fair that the humankind has one universal history, but nations or individuals [do not share  a common view on it.]
LJ user sebtinos also crossposted his history textbook entry to the ru_politics LJ community, and below are two reader responses (RUS):
kabashek:
Joint history is not good for the powerful elites [of each nation]. Makes it harder to manipulate [the population]. And the example you're citing is funded by the EU, not by Albania and Turkey.
***
stepanov_karel:
I, of course, haven't read this textbook, but I suspect that it's written [in an extremely appeasing manner]. That is, all controversial topics are simply ignored.
All controversial topics have to be thoroughly discussed, however.

author: Veronica Khokhlova


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Uruguay: Round of Poets · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

“In Montevideo (Uruguay), there are places where beautiful things happen, like the round of poets,” writes Sole of ¡Montevideo me mata! [es]. She writes that poet Leonardo de Mello read some of his poems on that night.


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Venezuela: A Month for Farewells – Part II · Global Voices
Laura Vidal

In the second part of the article about famous Venezuelan artists, who have passed away recently and their corresponding tributes, writer Adriano González León has demonstrated how much he has meant to the country.  In March, the Central University’s Institute of Literary Research took its turn to pay homage to González León, one of the most important figures in Venezuela's modern literature, who died January 12, 2008. In what is considered as his most remarkable work, País portátil (The portable country) contextualizes the political crisis in Venezuela in the sixties and takes the voice of the main character to criticize the political conventions of the time and the decadence seen in the ideas of that generation.
Gonzalez was born in Valera in 1931 and before his death, his last work Viejo (Old) was highly praised, among others, by Gabriel García Marquez who said that Viejo was the novel “he would have wanted to write”. This writer was a reporter for the Venezuelan newspaper El Nacional, a Literature professor in the Faculty of Arts (UCV), and was member and founder of the literary magazines Sardio, Letra Roja and El Techo de la Ballena. He also won the literary prize given by El Nacional for his short story El Lago (The Lake).
In certain interviews, González expressed his anxiety regarding the uncertainty of the current political situation.
To me, it is inconceivable that many partners among which we built an idea of Socialism can be so confused and have not learned the brutal lesson of […] the false construction of those republics based on socialism that became no less than countries terribly oppressed and humiliated.
The Venezuelan blogosphere and the publishing houses in Caracas also paid homage to this memorable writer through several notes, thoughts and special editions about the writer and his works. Most of them believe that one of the most important voices of the Venezuelan literature had passed on, and thus, wrote some lines as a way to say goodbye.
Papel en Blanco [es] said:
País Portátil es, sin lugar a dudas, su obra cumbre (…) Narra 12 horas en la vida y la memoria de Andrés Barazarte un joven que, al igual que Adriano, llegó a  Caracas desde los Andes. Es un retrato vertiginoso y crudo de la realidad de una Caracas sumida en el fragor de la lucha guerrillera y la represión política.
País Portátil is, undoubtedly, his masterpiece. (…) It is about 12 hours in Andrés Barazarte’s memory, a young man that, just like Adriano, came to Caracas from the Andes. It’s a vertiginous and harsh portrait of a city, Caracas, burning in the fire of political repression and guerrillas.
Manuel Ferreira of Metal Literal [es], remarks about the importance of the writer:
Sin duda fue y será un personaje influyente y destacado en las letras hispanas, que incluso mereció elogios de grandes escritores como Gabriel García Márquez. Hoy su presencia se nos ha escapado, pero su obra y su aporte dejan su imagen en alto dentro del orbe literario.
No doubt, he was and will be an influential character, a remarkable person in Hispanic literature that deserved praises from great writers, like Gabriel García Márquez. Today his presence has left us, but his work and contribution  leaves his mark on the literary circle.
To finish, a thought from the author is underlined by Jorge, in Letralia [es]:
Adriano González León se quejaba anteayer en esta entrevista [es] de que el venezolano medio es un ser superficial (…) y del enorme desbalance entre la cantidad de libros que salen a la calle respecto a lo que se lee. En realidad se quejaba de un montón de cosas: del llamado socialismo del siglo XXI, de la política editorial oficial, de las librerías que sólo venden best-sellers y autoayuda. Y lanza alguna frase memorable:
Hay mucho profesor que juega al divino papel de intelectual (algo que hace de la literatura un fastidio) y la literatura no puede ser un fastidio. La literatura es un entusiasmo grandioso del espíritu, algo que debe conmovernos, nos debe hacer reír o llevar a las lágrimas.
Éste, su país portátil, estará siempre en deuda con él, quizás sin saberlo
Adriano González León complained yesterday in this interview [es] about the average Venezuelan of being shallow (…) and the imbalance between the number of books that are in stock and those that are actually read. Actually he complained about a lot of things, the so-called socialism from the 21st century, the publishing houses’ policies, the book stores that sell only best-sellers and the self-help genre. And he provides this memorable thought:
There are a lot of teachers playing the role of an intellectual (something that makes literature annoying) literature can’t be annoying. Literature is the immense enthusiasm of the spirit, something that should move us, make us laugh or break into tears.
This, his portable country, will always be in debt with him, maybe without him being aware of it.

author: Laura Vidal


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Afghanistan: TV Soap Operas Banned · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Sanjar reports that the Minister of Information and Culture of Afghanistan has ordered several private TV stations to stop broadcasting popular soap operas that allegedly contain “offensive” and “un-Islamic” scenes.

author: Adil Nurmakov


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Africa: Documentaries on China/Africa relationship · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Ladybrile posts two documentaries on China/Africa relationship: “The much talked about and seemingly high interest in investments by Asians in Africa is definitely intriguing. Below are two documentaries Part I &II approximately 9-10mins each on Africa/China's relationship.”


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Armenia: Alternative Women’s Day · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Unzipped reports that today's celebration of Women's Day will take on a political tone in Armenia. The blog says that the opposition will once again gather on Yerevan's Northern Avenue as well as outside the General Prosecutor's Office to demand the release of all “political prisoners.”


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Armenia: Political Spring Poem · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

The Armenaker Kamilion posts an English translation of a post-election poem written by fugitive radical opposition leader Nikol Pashinian. The young newspaper editor is currently on the run following the 1 March clashes between opposition supporters and the security services in Yerevan.


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Armenia: The Cruelest Month · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Blogian says that April has always been considered the cruelest month and, with the inauguration of president-elect Serge Sargsyan scheduled to be held on Wednesday, offers some suggestions to defuse tensions after the disputed 19 February presidential election.


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Armenia: Women’s Day Protest · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

The Armenian Observer reports on a small gathering outside the general prosecutor's office in Yerevan to protest the imprisonment of their male relatives following the 1 March post-election clashes between the opposition and police. The event was staged to mark Motherhood and Beauty Day and the post also includes a video.


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Bahrain: Should young girls wear hijab? · Global Voices
Ayesha Saldanha

Bahrain's bloggers have recently looked at topics including the difficulties of being a pedestrian in Bahrain, negative thinking amongst Bahraini youth, the pressure placed on young girls to wear the headscarf – and the need to communicate more with Americans.
Walk – don't walk
We start with Ammaro, who feels sorry for all the visitors currently in Bahrain for the Formula One Grand Prix currently taking place, who imagine they might be able to walk around:
Watching the streets of Bahrain fill up with foreigners, here for the Formula 1 race, gives the country a whole different feel. Driving around Manama I see random nationalities walking on the sidewalks; Americans, Europeans, Chinese, and so on. They're walking because, unlike us, they actually consider walking a reasonable means of getting around. If you've lived in Bahrain for anything longer than a few days, however, you would understand that walking is probably the least pleasant method of moving around. First, there are hardly any decent paths for pedestrians to walk on, making the whole experience a ‘try not to get hit by car as you walk on side of road’ exercise. Second, the places most people want to visit are few and far in between, and coupled with very rough walking makes cars a bit of a necessity. Still, I do see the tourists walking from place to place, walking on the edges of the roads, on half built pavement, over uneven surfaces, looking a little frustrated. I don't blame them for being frustrated; we really have made the country very inconvenient for walkers. Public transport is really lacking, so everyone has to have a car. Everyone has to have a car, so more roads are built to accommodate cars, and somehow the pedestrians are forgotten. Fine when everyone in the country is used to not walking. Not fine when you have thousands of people visiting and would like to have a decent walk around town. … So remember, dear Bahrain visitors; our country has a lot to offer, lots of things for you to see, and lots of places for you to go; just make sure you drive there!
No hope?
Not everyone can follow Ammaro's advice, as they do not have a car; Mohammed AlMaskati recently gave a lift to young Bahraini hitchhiker, and was shocked by the pessimistic opinions he heard:
I dropped him to where he stayed and went on with my way, still shocked by the negativity this youngster carried, how could anyone live with such dark views when it comes to the future of their own country? How could one wake up everyday carrying such hate towards everything and anything that resembles Bahrain? At least back in the 90’s youngster in the same age group as he is would probably share more or less the same amount of hate and distress, but at least there was hope back then, there was a saviour in sight. One with a clear vision and objective, a shadowy agenda but that’s a whole different story altogether. While someone like Mr. Hitchhiker here has no faith in anyone, or anything. Has completely lost hope! To the extent that he would just blame anyone and anything for all the problems in the world. I mean…to blame the royal family for inflation? And he is supposed to be educated as well… well, at least he looks it…Such mindsets are the ideal breeding grounds for extremism and even terrorism eventually, but who is to blame really? The guy was raised in a way that he would completely rely for everything he needs to government, be it free schooling, health care and even the daily chores of the house and what have you there is always someone to take care of it for him, it is only natural that he would continue to rely on the government for housing and a proper income, how do you expect him to walk out of university and compete out there when he has simply never done it before? Or maybe it is the government to blame after all, it is easy to throw accusations left and right but boy do we have some depressed souls in this country!
Hijab: choice or obligation?
Butterfly is certainly depressed, but about something in particular. She tells us the story of Fatima:
Fries with that?
S as in Saudi, a Swedish woman living in Bahrain, is also frustrated with how the young are treated:
“Please change A’s yoghurt, she likes Al Marai yoghurt. Please also change her cake to chocolate”
That was the note in my two year old daughter's nursery bag the other day. I didn’t know whether to laugh or get pissed off. Chose both. Since when did my daughter know what different brands are? Since when do I give my kids whatever they point at? And since when did it become a norm to eat chocolate cake every bloody day? This is not how I am raising my kids and I don’t even approve of the idiotic idea that they are actually required to bring a piece of cake every day. Is that what they call a snack? Look around you… There are obese kids all over the place and these are the habits they are taught at a the tender age of two? It’s sickening that an institution that is supposed to raise kids and educate them seems to think it is normal to eat crap like this every day. A while back I received a news letter from my sons school. Some of the elementary kids had been on a school trip. Did they go to a museum and learned about the heritage of Bahrain perhaps? No. Did they go anywhere and learned anything of use? No. Where did they go one may ask? They went to bloody Pizza Hut and had the honour of touring the kitchen and put their “favourite” topping on pizzas…
Talk the talk
We end with Mohammad Al-Ubaydli, a Bahraini living in Washington, who wants Arabs to talk more:
As a university student in the 1970s Condoleezza Rice did the smart thing and learned to speak Russian. Today, the smart thing is to study Arabic. In Washington DC, a lot of people are trying to learn the language. One American I know found the experience so difficult that he switched to a diplomatic career in Europe. … And yet more and more Americans attend The Washington DC Arabic Language & Culture Meetup Club to practice their language skills. When I ask them why they are learning, many are uncomfortable. Some, I suspect, are trying to avoid telling an Arab that they want to become spies for the US government. But Americans in particular, and the West in general, must learn how to communicate with Arabs. There is an opportunity here for Arabs. … But the opportunity for Arabs is much larger than a business one: we can help Americans understand our Arab viewpoints, and why we hold these, rather than lamenting misunderstandings and fighting in frustration. An interesting example is from the Wikipedia, a free encyclopedia that allows anyone to improve existing work. … There is, of course, an Arabic language website…written by Arabs for Arabs but still mostly focuses on computing technology, reflecting the interests of its enthusiastic authors. But more of us should be writing more. Because just as Ms. Rice was smart to learn to talk to the Russians, we should be smart and learn to talk to Americans.

author: Ayesha Saldanha


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Barbados, U.S.A.: Thanks, Obama · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Regardless of the eventual outcome of the US elections, Living in Barbados thinks that Barack Obama deserves kudos for doing “much to bring to the fore some of the fluff and confusion in discussions about race and colour.”

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Burma: “UN is a failure” · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Buddha Warrior uploads a statement of the All Burma Monks’ Alliance and the 88 Generation Students which condemns the failure of the UN Security Council to take an effective action against the military junta in Burma

author: Mong Palatino


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Burma: Road pictures · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

New Mandala uploads pictures of roads in the eastern Shan State located in the borders of Burma, Thailand and China.


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Cape Verde: History of amateur radio service · Global Voices
Paula Góes

Jorge Sousa Brito [pt] remembers the infancy of the amateur radio service in Cape Verde, an activity which he grew up with as his father was the first person to take up the hobby in the country.

author: Paula Góes


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China: Is it Fair? · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Zeng Jinyan comments on the court's verdict on Hu Jia case [zh].

author: Oiwan Lam


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China: Nanfang Daily anti-China? · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Nanfang Daily's editor wrote an opinion post calling for free press so that local media workers could counter the distortion of western media. However, patriots attacked Nanfang Daily for committing treason. Shen Yuzhe from my1510 criticized the populist nationalistic sentiment and stressed that the best solution for Tibet conflict resolution is freedom of speech and press [zh].


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Colombia: Jimmy Carter Involved in Peace Talks? · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter phoned Colombian president Álvaro Uribe three times in the past ten days notes Constanza Vieira of Heavy Metal Colombia [es] in regards to Carter's attempt to become involved in the peace process in Colombia.


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Colombia: Juanes for Nobel Peace Prize · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Piso Tres [es] writes about the campaign to nominate Colombian rocker Juanes for the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in peacemaking in the country.


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Colombia: The French Role in Attempts of Betancourt Release · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Masares of equinoXio writes, “Íngrid's (Betancourt) release is not on the FARC's agenda,” and analyzes the French's role in the efforts to get her medical treatment and her eventual release.


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Egypt: A Wake Up Strike · Global Voices
Eman AbdElRahman

Around 500 people were arrested in Egypt Sunday as police quashed a general strike,  in protest against the increasing cost of living and calling for better wages.
And just as word about the strike was spread via massive text-messaging, email, and popular social networking platform Facebook, bloggers and online activists kept the world abreast with arrests and developments on the ground minute by minute throughout the day.
The strike, all over Egypt, created a rift in opinions, between those confirming its success and others announcing its abortion and even failure. Many people stayed home, as participants in the event and avoiding the day's sandstorms or simply out of fear from the anticipated violent clashes that might break out on the streets.
Witnesses reported light traffic on the streets, which were dotted with police vehicles and swarming with plainclothes policemen. Throughout the day news continued to pour in via Twitter, Facebook and blogs about arrests being made, against protesters, politicians and citizens, including bloggers.
SA wrote “what happened in the strike today”:
“I am just back from that long day. And I was about to be arrested, the Egyptian security didn’t stop bothering and aggressing the activists .
Since last night they started by arresting many activists and today they continue to arrest a lot .
I was in the Tahrir Square since 11 AM and there were a huge number of soldiers and security in plain cloths, they were bothering everyone and asking for our ids and pushing us to go away.
Three young girls from the American university in Cairo AUC come to protest at the square using breads ,the security guys didn’t like they way those young girls protest with and many soldiers were attacking the girls.
A woman with her two kids tried to save the girls but the police arrested the mother .
The two boys were alone crying because they took their mothers .
They arrested some women at the Tahrir square too and make a siege around them but me and other AUC students, we stayed in front of that siege asking the police to free them and we didn’t move till, they let them go.”
She also added:
“At down town in front of the syndicate of lawyers I was there when people in the street decided to join the people of the demonstration inside the syndicate, we were shouting outin the street “fall down Hosni Mubarak” but tens of soldiers ran after us with sticks and wanted to attack us, I was using my camera to film when an officer arrested me and wanted to take my camera and my mobile phone, thanks God a French friend journalist came and said I am his assistant and after 15 minutes of negotiation I could be out of that.
Till now they arrested more than 100 people ,but anyway a lot of Egyptians particpated in the strike by staying home .
The message of the regime was clear “no freedom, freedom of expression”.
I am wondering where was Mubarak the dictator hiding today ?
The police were very aggressive today but we resist till the end and I am considering today a victory against corruption, abuse, torture, dictatorship.”
Hossam El Hamalawy and Sandmonkey posted regular updates but the star of the day was a new blog (Ar) put up by activists, which invited people to send in their stories, pictures and videos, to document the events of the day. Tadamon Masr also posted regular updates, as they were happening throughout the day. Both blogs are still updating the day's incidents as this report was being compiled.
Ghariba wrote in detail about the events, quoting BBC Arabic, and adding a video of the clashes in El Mahala, where the textile factories and the heart of the strike was, featuring scenes of chaos:
The blogger added:
ونقلت مراسلة بي بي سي عزة محيي الدين عن مصادر امنية قولها إن عدد المعتقلين اليوم بلغ 207 قبض عليهم فى محافظات القاهرة والجيزة والإسكندرية والبحيرة وقنا .ومن بين المعتقلين اعضاء في أحزاب الغد والناصري والتجمع و حركة كفاية ومجدي أحمد حسين الأمين العام لحزب العمل المجمد
The BBC correspondent Azza Muhiydin quoted security forces as saying that the number of those arrested today reached 207, detained in Cairo, Giza, Alexandria, Al Buhaira and Qana. Among those detained are members of the Al Ghad, Al Nasseri, Al Tajamua’ and Kifaya Movement as well as the secretary general of Labour Party Madji Ahmed Hussain.
In Mahala, things were literally aflame. Unlike the peaceful demonstrations in big cities like Cairo, which were marred by detentions and the occasional stand off with riot police such as that in from of the Lawyers Syndication, Mahala's witnessed violent clashes between citizens and police officers. Witnesses also confirmed the death of two people, including a nine-year-old. Electricity was cut off, a gas station burned and a few shops were broken into.
Zeinobia reports “Mahala on Fire” and says:
“The great Mahla is on fire currently , all the road to the greatest city in the middle East for the textile industries are blocked and closed even the trains going there are shifted to other cities in North Delta.
We began to receive news at about 6 PM that Mahla on fire technically , some one sent an email including the photos in the slide show below described the city as Egyptian Gaza.
The forces used warning blots and tear gases ,along with sticks ,people were badly injured
It reached the point of no return when two persons killed to become the first martyrs of  the 6 of April which I always remember , the first one was 20 years old young man and the second was a 9 years old boy “strangely today in Gaza also a young boy was killed !!”, Yes it turned to be correct and true unfortunately.
People there got angry ,more clashes ,unfortunately those who are engaged more in the fight are the youngsters from 11 to 16 years , there are weapons used like the local short swords , there are fires in the streets.
Now the city is under a siege from the security forces.”
Despite the crackdown, a new Facebook Group was up and running last night, inviting people for a new strike on May 4, to coincide with the Egyptian President's Birthday. The group has so far attracted 1,300 members, and following is a quick draft of its initial demands for the upcoming strike:
1-يوم 4 مايو اضراب و مضاهرات سلمية ان شاء الله
2- اول اسبوع من شهر مايو محدش هيشترى فيه لحمه
3- التجمع للمظاهرات يوم 4 مايو فى مكان هيتحدد بعدين و غالبا هيكون سرى
4- التجمع للمظاهرات ان شاء الله هيكون داخل الجوامع و الكنايس انتلاشى ازى الامن المركزى هنتجمع جواها باعداد كبيرة بعدد كده نخرج فى الشوارع و الميادي
ن
1. On May 4, a peaceful strike and demonstrations.
2. No one shall buy meat in the first week of May.
3. Participating in demonstrations will be in certain secret places.
4. Gatherings will be in mosques and churches and we will then march to the big squares and streets.
Though it is quite early to confirm the success of April 6 strike, and its repercussions, it sure hit a nerve, with thousands of people mobilising themselves and freely available online tools to demand their freedom, equality, democracy and an honourable life for themselves and the future generations of Egypt.

author: Eman AbdElRahman


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Egypt: The Media Coverage for the Strike · Global Voices
Eman AbdElRahman

Egyptian blogger Zeinobia covers the media coverage of yesterday's strike, either in main newspaper headlines or TV shows – highlighting the bloggers’ effort to closely follow the event.


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Environment: An Interview with Isabel Hilton of ChinaDialogue · Global Voices
Juliana Rotich

ChinaDialogue is a fully bi-lingual weblog where environmental matters affecting China are discussed. Isabel Hilton is the editor, and we asked her some questions regarding the environment in China, the Olympics, climate change and lessons that can be learned from China's environmental challenges and solutions. She was kind enough to share her insight with us on our first GV-Enviro interview.
What are some of the main stories/ideas surrounding environmental conservation and preparation for the Beijing Olympics as covered by China Dialogue?
We see that preparation for Olympics has given a big boost to green consciousness in China. The Olympics are so important for the government that it has allowed environmental issues to override economic ones — some that is otherwise hard to do in any government — and stimulated all kinds of necessary action — from moving factories out of Beijing to building public transport infrastructure and greening buses.
We have read about green initiatives such as efforts to clean up the air in time for the olympics. What are your thoughts on such initiatives? Do you see them as short term steps particularly for the Olympics or longer term commitments to good environmental stewardship?
I think these initiatives are long overdue and if it takes the Olympics to make them happen, then fine. The important thing is that they happen and that the world attention on these issues will make the Chinese authorities try very hard to ensure that they really do happen properly, that there is no cheating or faking of the figures and that they don't face any environmental embarrassment. There is also an important aspect of public education: I have just been judging a debate competition involving five Beijing universities and, because of the Olympics, all the students were incredibly well informed and committed on environmental issues. So there are benefits that will last beyond the two week Olympic period. On the other hand, there are some things that won't last – and the Olympics itself inevitably has a heavy footprint. Already some provinces are complaining that they are being starved of water because it is going to Beijing.
Countries around the world will be sending athletes to compete in the Olympics, do they need to carry smog masks to protect the runners from the adverse effects of smog? Do you think the measures to clean up the air will succeed?
We shall see, but if it doesn't succeed, it won't be for want of trying. If necessary China will shut down factories for hundreds of miles around for the Olympic period to avoid losing face. People are trying very hard and they get very hurt when somebody pulls out because of fears about air quality. So there is a lot riding on success and for every body's sake I hope they make it.
What are your thoughts on China's position on climate change; particularly following the Bali talks?
China has come a long way on climate change in the past two years and many of China's domestic policies are aimed at mitigation — improving energy efficiency, big renewable targets etc. ON the other hand, China is, as everybody knows, building coal fired power stations and risks getting locked in to a very damaging technology.  Much depends on the future position of the United States. In the last seven years, because of the obstruction of the Bush administration on these issues, there has been little pressure on China to adopt a forward position on climate change. As that changes, we should see further movement in Beijing.
What can other countries learn from the environmental problems currently being faced in China, and its solutions thus far?
China has had an industrial revolution at a difficult time.. it followed the Western path, then ran quickly into the limits of that model. If the Chinese government responds in the right way, China has the potential to become a leader in conservation and clean up. If it doesn't things look pretty bad.

author: Juliana Rotich


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Ghana: Elections 2008 · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

From Ghana Elections blog 2008: “The Interim National Chairman of the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), Alhaji Issaka has filed nomination to contest the flagbearership of the party. He will be battling it out with another aspirant, a communications consultant Mr. Emmanuel Ansah Antwi.”

author: Ndesanjo Macha


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Guatemala: Using Blogs to Support Good Works and Raise Awareness · Global Voices
Renata Avila

Good deeds are beginning to show up online.  Private actions become collective actions, inspiration for the digital mass, and the connection of people with common interests are all being made possible in Guatemala through the power and reach of blogs. These are some examples of blogs being used to organize collective actions to do good in Guatemala.  Funds have been raised to help a singer in distress, to help build libraries, and even to use puppets as a way of educating.
The Caldo de Piedra Library Project is the amazing action by Kyle and Cassandra Passarelli, who are organizing activities as Job Wuj (rain of books),  which they described it on their blog:
Caldo de Piedra is a charity that manages and stocks children's libraries. These libraries are operated by parents and the community in support of local public and private schools to help girls and boys discover that learning is part of their lives. We believe in education in its broadest sense, where books are at the heart of an array of creative and artistic projects that engage children in a love of learning.
In Guatemala there are over 15,000 public schools and 4.3 million children. However, most children attend school for only three years, and about half are in first grade (age six). Despite recent efforts to improve education, Guatemala devotes the fewest resources in Latin America towards this end (only 2.5% of GDP) while Costa Rica and Belize invest double in their children's future. Recent studies have shown that secondary school numeracy and literacy are poor. Parents often do not participate in schoolwork and stay away from the schools. The future of the educational system in Guatemala hinges on the partnering between parents, the community and their local teachers. This is where Stone Soup provides a powerful bridge.
Photo by Sarah Harper and used under a Creative Commons license
Other interesting project that has just launched is Edulibre,
El proyecto edulibre esta formado por profesionales y estudiantes voluntarios que desean ayudar a la educación del país ayudando a que niños de educación primaria tengan acceso a la tecnología.Cada uno de los miembros da parte de su tiempo libre ayudando en las diversas áreas del proyecto sin ningún fin de lucro.
Edulibre is a project by volunteers, professionals and students wishing to improve the access to technology for elementary school kids. Each of them gives their time by helping in different areas of the non- profit project.
Solidarity was also seen during a campaign for support of a Guatemalan singer who recently had an accident. Many bloggers expressed their concerns like Edgarin [es], who said:
Un artista nacional que tiene muchísimo talento al igual que muchos otros, él es Tavo Bárcenas, lastimosamente sufrió un accidente el pasado domingo 23 de marzo por lo cual él ahora más que nunca necesita del apoyo de todos nosotros, ahora es cuando verdaderamente debemos apoyar al artista nacional.
A gifted national singer, as many others, Tavo Barcenas, sadly suffered a car accident last sunday, so he really needs our support and now is when we should help the national artists
Another blogger,  Surizar [es] replicated the message, as did Propositivo [es].  Finally, Peña 2 was a little more ambitious:
Me gustaría es que toda esta gente que se organiza para ayudar a Tavo Barcenas, en vez de solamente ayudarle a él, vieran un poco más allá y organizar algún movimiento para mejorar la situación que causó esta tragedia. ….. Y si hubiera sido solamente un accidente, de igual manera yo creo que un buen paso para Guatemala sería mejorar el IGGSS. Muchos países tienen salud pública que funciona bien y todos felices. Ya me comprenden? No tengo NADA en contra de Tavo Bárcenas, pero me duele que toda la vida los chapines solo nos unimos en situaciones extremas (o con Carlos Peña…) y solo para arreglar el problema existente, sin ver más allá o pensar hacia el futuro.
I would like that all the people who organized to help out Tavo Barcenas, would go a step further and organize some movement to fix the situation that caused the tragedy…. A good way to do so is to improve the social security and health care system. Several countries have public health that works and all the people are happy. I don't have anything against Tavo Barcenas, but it hurts to realize that we Guatemalans only work together in extreme situations (or with Calros Peña..) (Latin American Idol winner) and only to solve an existing problem without looking beyond or thinking about the future.
Other bloggers are also promoting a project to help Guatemalan families in extreme poverty:
Quiero iniciar un proyecto de cultivo autosostenible con este pequeño grupo de familias ( 7 u 8 ) que les permita tener un mejor nivel de vida a ellos y a su familia. Y hago la invitación acá para todos aquellos que quieran formar parte de él. Empezaremos viajando al lugar un fin de semana, el 26 de Abril a repartir víveres entre estas familias y algunas más que podamos encontrar, para poder evaluar su situación y necesidades más básicas, conversar con ellos, ver que estén interesados en un proyecto de cultivos autosostenibles.
I would like to start a project of sustainable development using crops with a small group of families (7 or 8) to allow them to havea better quality of life. And I will like to invite those interested to join. We will visit the place on some weekend to give the families some goods and to evaluate the situation and the priorities according to their needs, talk to them, and evaluate if they are interested in the project.
But sometimes good intentions are not enough, when the number of problems and causes far outnumber one's ability to help.  Others choose to address and mobilize around issues that may end in violence.  Mi Mundo blogger James Rodriguez wrote an article on the murder of a leader of their community by forces of the State, Mario Caal Bolom. He was 29 years old and belonged to the Educational Commission of the Community Committee for Development. Rodriguez hopes to raise awareness about the reality of the situation.
We are a peasant group which did not organize itself yesterday. Hence, we deeply feel the spilling of blood of our friend and neighbor. We hope the State of Guatemala assumes its responsibility. Our brother Mario left a family; he left children behind; he left a number of responsibilities. Who will look after them now? What will his children do now? What about his wife? Then they added “Here, we are condemned. We find ourselves in an alley without exit. There are no opportunities. On the contrary, opportunities are taken away from us on a daily basis. Oppression continues everyday. In which security force are we to trust if the Police are the same ones who kill us? Only in the time of military dictatorships did things like this occur, like in 1982. Hence, it is very difficult to remember and accept… We are genuinely worried about our welfare and safety. I believe history will judge. Let justice punish. Allow the truth to condemn.
Many of these causes, projects, and issues never make the newspaper, and so blogs are helping to increase awareness and gather support for these attempts to help Guatemala.

author: Renata Avila


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Hong Kong: Boycotting Beijing Olympic · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Kursk writes in his blog that he will boycott Beijing Olympic to protest against the arrest of Hu Jia [zh].


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India: Cricket and the Media · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

An absurd set of regulations set by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) which requires photographers to submit any photograph taken in a cricket match to be approved for publishing has the Unofficial IPL Blog up in arms.

author: Neha Viswanathan


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Iran: A temple for God · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Khouz News has published a photo of Choghazanbil, a temple for God, in Khouzestan Province in Iran.Choghazanbil is one of the three ancient monuments in Iran which have been registered in the Index of World Heritage.Read more here in English.

author: Fred Petrossian


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Iran:Politics and Culture in the Persian Blogosphere · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

An excellent study about Iranian blogosphere by Harvard Berkman Center for Internet and Society:Mapping Iran’s Online Public: Politics and Culture in the Persian Blogosphere.


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Iran: Mugabe and Ahmadinejad · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Moeeni, an Iranian blogger, has published a photo of Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, with president Robert Mugabe from Zimbabwe. The blogger considers[Fa] Ahmadinejad's close relationship with leaders like Mugabe who destroyed their own country, is a bad thing for Iran and Iranians.