March 2011 Blog Posts (101)

Known across the region for its fine texture, the Najafi abaya is worn by all manner of VIPs from officials to oil-rich

It takes one worker 3-10 days to weave cloth for one abaya

Tradition of hand-made abayas witnesses dramatic decline due to post-invasion unrest,…

Libyan rebels abandoned another key town Sunday under heavy shelling from advancing government forces, as

Gathafi's uncompromising response to the uprising

Libyan rebels retreat again under heavy shelling, international backing grows slowly for no-fly…

The holy Shiite city of Najaf in central Iraq, home to the shrine of a revered cleric, is in the midst of a hotel building

Tourism accounts for about 70% of all employment in Najaf

More religious tourists visiting Iraq's Najaf than holy city's current hotels can…

MANAMA - Twenty-five Bahraini Sunni clerics issued a statement on Wednesday calling on religious leaders from both

One religion

Clerics appeal to religious scholars on both sides to guide, caution people from falling into sectarian…

Saudi Arabia, ahead of planned protests, seems unlikely to catch the contagion of Arab revolutions, US experts said

Awaiting the 'Day of Rage'

Analysts warn destabilization in oil-rich kingdom would change regional balance of power, way world works.

 …

The level of education in Iraq has been declining as a result of 30 years of war and UN sanctions. Once renowned in

Can Iraqi education be revived soon?

Once renowned in Mideast for its advanced education system, Iraq now lags far behind most countries in…

TRIPOLI - Libyan officials who landed in Cairo earlier on Wednesday were carrying a letter from embattled leader

Not looking good

Battle for Libyan town of Zawiya teeters on brink as scores of Libyan rebels retreat to Ras Lanuf.

 Moamer…

Saudi Arabia came under renewed pressure Wednesday to ease its ban on demonstrations, as Facebook activists

Dialogue in the form of a monologue?

Saudi FM says dialogue – not protests – 'best way' to gain rights as activists call for 'Day of Rage' this Friday

 …

The international community will again Thursday try to rally to the cause of war-torn Somalia's UN-backed government,

A 20-year-long civil war nightmare

Security Council will hold special meeting against backdrop of major land push against Shebab…

SANAA - A Yemeni protester died of gunshot wounds Wednesday after being hit when police opened fire overnight on

Steadfast to their demands

Shot Yemeni protester dies of wounds after being shot overnight by police during anti-regime protesters in…

Bahrain's housing minister on Monday announced plans to build 50,000 homes at a cost of at least two billion dinars

Will sticks and carrots halt their march for democracy?

Manama responds to pro-democracy protests by spending 5.32 billion dollars on housing project.

 …

Iran's former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a bitter opponent of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, saw his

Rafsanjani has never hidden his disdain for Ahmadinejad

Former Iranian president abandons post of head of Assembly of Experts he has held for past four…