Week of June 6, 2016 Roundup
This week: Arab responses to #Orlando shooting, #Prisoners_First campaign, read what is on our radar, and Arab humor.
Editor’s note: The Arab Social Media Roundup is a pilot project from Meedan, starting in June 2016. This roundup is provided as an example of content for readers. To subscribe to the newsletter, please email hello@speakbridge.io
Translated Social Media Trends
#Orlando
#أورلاندو
Following the shooting at the Orlando gay club Sunday, Arab responses and discussions on social media varied between those condemning the attack and discussing negative consequences for the image of Islam; to those connecting the violent event to US violence in the Middle East and the double standards of international solidarity (i.e. between the response to the Orlando attack compared with the victims in Yemen or Syria, including those who have been killed by ISIS.) Arab Twitter users also noted the condemnation letters sent by several Arab governments to the US government. Many also commented on how the event fuels Trump’s Islamophobic rhetoric.
- “Dear Muslims you did not pledge allegiance to [the leader of ISIS]…therefore you are not obliged to apologize for #Orlando attack”
- “Trump is the biggest beneficiary of the #Orlando attack”
- “I am so sick and tired of the American mainstream media coverage of the #Orlando attack.. they are inciting hate against Muslims”
Are you interested in covering this story with translated social media? Please get in touch. See more examples here:https://speakbridge.io/medias/embed/OrlandoShooting_Arabic/
#Prisoners_First
#المعتقلون_اولا
A campaign called “survived political imprisonment” organized multiple protests, with the largest taking place in the historic Bastille Plaza in Paris. The protesters, including many exiled Syrian artists carried the images and read the names of 1000 political prisoners currently in the Syrian regime’s and other groups’ prisons in Syria. Their objective was to remind the international public opinion of the thousands of Syrian political prisoners and demand their release, as well as to reveal the fate of the disappeared.
- “They have faces and souls, they are not numbers”
- “Between ISIS in the north , the #YPG from the back, .. there is no louder voice than that of the political prisoner”
Are you interested in covering this story with translated social media? Please get in touch. See more examples here:https://speakbridge.io/medias/embed/Newsletter_June6
On the Radar
#BLOM_Bank
#بنك_لبنان_والمهجر
#Verdun_Explosion
#تفجير_فردان
An explosion hits the Verdun neighborhood in Beirut, Lebanon, causing damage in the headquarters of BLOM Bank and some cars parked in the area. No one claimed responsibility but speculations circulated on social media, especially as the bank has recently shut down accounts linked to the Lebanese Hezbollah group.
#arabgirlsbreaktheinternet
This English language hashtag trended in many parts of the Arab world, with poignant and humorous notes in Arabic and English alike.
#Euro2016
#يورو2016
Even though #Euro2016 only features teams from Europe, soccer fans from across the Arab world are following every match at the European Championships in France with eager excitement. Many have taken to Twitter to post analysis, celebration, and commiseration — and to comment on events off the field that have captured the headlines.
#AlFallujah
#الفلوجة
Contentious debates continue around the the Iraqi army’s military operation against ISIS in the city of Fallujah, supported by the predominantly Shia militia, Popular Mobilization Units (Al Hashd Al Sha’bi), and local tribes. Amidst advances from the Iraqi army, more news is circulating accusing Al Hashd of torture and being behind the disappearance of civilians in Fallujah.
Are you interested in covering these stories with translated social media? Please get in touch.
Arab Humor
Arresting those not fasting .. By: #Amr_Selim
More #AlMasry_AlYoum cartoons: http://www.almasryalyoum.com/caricatures
Cartoon reads:
Person A: The guy we arrested because he’s not fasting in Ramadan — turns out he’s Christian, sir.
Person B: He deserves it. I am sure he doesn’t fast during Lent either.
For more context: http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/raids-carried-out-against-cafes-during-ramadan-fast-egypt-524263893
Source: Al Masry Al Youm by Amr Selim.
Are you interested in a series of translated cartoons about Ramadan? Please get in touch.
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