Saudi Youth Hopes Blogging will Bring Change
 

Thought this might be of interest to some:

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/15676312/

Some of the more juicy bits I found interesting. Pardon me if my selections slant this in a more feminist direction:

Lured by the possible anonymity of the medium, Saudi women have produced a string of blogs filled with feminist poetry, steamy romantic episodes and rants against their restricted lives and patriarchal society.
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The new technology has also made it possible to do virtually what one cannot do physically in a country such as Saudi Arabia, an absolute monarchy that bans public gatherings, political parties and civil rights groups, and restricted last year's limited municipal elections to men.
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This month, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Bloggers, founded by Farhan and a group of his friends, will post their charter online and open membership to male and female bloggers. Members will then vote for a president, male or female, and make amendments to the charter by majority vote. Meetings will be held online.
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"What about erotica, like Mystique writes?" Farhan asked, referring to the best-known Saudi female blogger. "If she gets blocked, do we get involved?"
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But Mystique has received the most scathing criticism for her feminist poetry and religious comments. A question posted on her blog -- "How imperfect can a perfect Creator be?" -- garnered dozens of angry missives calling her an apostate who is besmirching her country's reputation.

"Sometimes I push. I want to show that women are oppressed," she said. The situation "is not normal. I would like people to see that."

Thats really interesting. It also sets up the whole 'thought crime' fiasco in the country

R

Hey Hippy I've been reading a blog written by a girl in Bagdad (I know not Saudi Arabia) for over two years Bagdad Burning
It reads like a modern day Ann Frank except instead of Hitler and Nazis there's Bush and Occupiers |huh

Thanks for that link.. i'll give it a read

R

That is one powerful blog. I feel humbled when I read it.

That's twice tonight you've moved me... or at least been responsible for it happening. :)