Crossroads Arabia

2012: The Year of the Inane Political Fatwa

2012: The Year of the Inane Political Fatwa

CROSSROADS ARABIA: They came thick and fast throughout the last year. Many of them, though, just serve to devalue the meaning of a religious edict

 Juan Cole

Enough: Libyans Drive Fundamentalists Out of Benghazi

Enough: Libyans Drive Fundamentalists Out of Benghazi

JUAN COLE: The attack on the US consulate in Benghazi seems to have been a turning point for the people of Benghazi.

 Crossroads Arabia

Unholy ‘Ruckus’: Can Actors Play Islamic Figures?

Unholy ‘Ruckus’: Can Actors Play Islamic Figures?

CROSSROADS ARABIA: A row has broken out among various religious figures as to whether it’s permissible to portray Islamic figures in film.

 Juan Cole

What Are the Egyptian Military Planning?

What Are the Egyptian Military Planning?

JUAN COLE: Strange statements are emanating from Egypt’s Supreme Council of the Armed Forces. What are they up to?

 James M. Dorsey

Egyptian Feminists Challenge Soccer Chauvinism

Egyptian Feminists Challenge Soccer Chauvinism

JAMES M. DORSEY: An Egyptian feminist group has challenged the fans that played a key role in toppling Mubarak to recognise women’s rights.

 Rob L. Wagner

Finally: Saudi Olympic Breakthrough For Women

Finally: Saudi Olympic Breakthrough For Women

ROB L. WAGNER: It was a very welcome surprise – the announcement that Saudi Arabia will have at least one woman at the Olympics

 Ahmed-Al-Omran

‘High on Victory’: Saudi Conservatives on the March

‘High on Victory’: Saudi Conservatives on the March

AHMED AL OMRAN: A new force is making itself felt at social events in the Kingdom The mohtasbeen are an unofficial muttawaeen who have a clear agenda.

 Ahmed-Al-Omran

Women Drivers in Saudi: A Shift in Strategy

Women Drivers in Saudi: A Shift in Strategy

AHMED AL OMRAN: It’s all been a bit quiet recently on the women-drivers front. There has, though, been an interesting development this week.

 Eman-Al-Nafjan

Saudi: The Fundamentalist Mindset that Halts Change

Saudi: The Fundamentalist Mindset that Halts Change

EMAN AL NAFJAN: In September the King announced women could vote in municipal elections. Conservatives are fighting a rearguard action.

 Ahmed-Al-Omran

Saudi Draft ‘Anti-Terror Law’ Evokes Strong Response

Saudi Draft ‘Anti-Terror Law’ Evokes Strong Response

AHMED AL-OMRAN: A leaked draft of a proposed, new anti-terror law has been leaked to Amnesty International. A predictable storm has erupted.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Aswany, IPAF, Translators: Daoud Takes Aim

Aswany, IPAF, Translators: Daoud Takes Aim

M. LYNX-QUALEY: In a wide-ranging discussion at the Shubbak festival Hassan Daoud, the Lebanese novelist and journalist, had much to say…

 Crossroads Arabia

Report: Saudis to Enforce Debts via Prison

Report: Saudis to Enforce Debts via Prison

CROSSROADS ARABIA: The Saudi government is going to get tough on debtors. Some 63,000 Saudis could find themselves in jail…

 Crossroads Arabia

Saudis Tweak Marriage Rules for GCC Brides

Saudis Tweak Marriage Rules for GCC Brides

CROSSROADS ARABIA: After heated debate the Shoura Council has agreed the common characteristics between GCC nationals permit intermarriage.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

The Silence of the Poets – And That Includes You, Adonis

The Silence of the Poets – And That Includes You, Adonis

M.LYNX-QUALEY: Poets have traditionally held a central role in reflecting the life of Arabs. Is that role, however, being usurped by other, more modern means of communication?

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

The Arabic Novel: A New Form of Criticism Required?

The Arabic Novel: A New Form of Criticism Required?

M. LYNX-QUALEY: Is Naguib Mahfouz the ‘Arabic Balzac’, the ‘Arabic Zola’ or the ‘Arabic Thomas Mann’? Who cares? He wrote novels in a tradition that grew separately from European and American authors.

 Juan Cole

Arab World Democratists, Meet Thomas Jefferson

Arab World Democratists, Meet Thomas Jefferson

JUAN COLE: I am hopeful that the book will find an eager reception in Egypt, Tunisia and other countries yearning for democracy in the Arab world.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

The under-appreciated Sargon Boulus

The under-appreciated Sargon Boulus

A new translation of Boulus poem made M. Lynx Qualey reflect on how little-known the towering, excellent Boulus is in English—outside of Banipal readers.