Rise in publications of comic books in Egypt

This article by Rania Khallaf (Al-Ahram Weekly Online, 3-9 Nov. 2011, Issue no. 1071) explores the role of comic magazines in the world of art and journalism in Egypt. It explains how Egyptian cartoonists and writers use comics, cartoons and charicatures in an attempt to convey certain cultural, educational or political messages to the public. Read the article here.


The cover of al-Thawragiya (source: Al-Ahram Weekly Online)
Many new comic books take on social and political issues in a satirical manner. In his article "New wave of comic books flourishes in Egypt", Menna Taher questions whether the rise in publications of comic books is a result of the Arab Spring revolution. (Ahram Online, 24 October 2011)

MEMRI - following Middle Eastern media

If you are interested in media in the Middle East, you shouldn't miss MEMRI:

"The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) explores the Middle East through the region's media. MEMRI bridges the language gap which exists between the West and the Middle East, providing timely translations of Arabic, Persian, Urdu-Pashtu, and Turkish media, as well as original analysis of political, ideological, intellectual, social, cultural, and religious trends in the Middle East."

Check it out here:

http://www.memri.org/

Eid al-Adha Celebrations

A Jordanian worker carries a sheep at the Zarqa livestock market, near Amman, Jordan (image: EPA. Al-Jazeera website)

Eid-AlAdha or "Festival of Sacrifice" is the Muslim holiday that commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice its son Isma'il as an act of obedience to God, before God intervened and provided Abraham with a sheep to sacrifice instead.

The following slideshow by Al Jazeera gives an impression of how this important holiday is celebrated throughout the Muslim world.

http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/inpictures/2011/11/201111683446555545.html