So far the new successor or transitory power since Mubarak - the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) - has been seen as a continuation of the old guard and Mubarak regime. This has not been adequate for a people, and indeed a 'square', baying for real change. Protesters (and hopeful voters) out in force at Tahrir Sqare hope to see today's Parliamentary run of elections as rather a continuation of the fight for Egyptian freedom and against militarism. Though it seems an unsettled time- in light of deadly ...

Cairo in Crisis : It's being tagged the second Egyptian Revolution of 2011. What happened to the much fan-fared November Egyptian elections? The elections are hanging in the balance, once again in limbo, until further notice. Frustration about the army's commitment to the handover to civilian rule has built up in the last few months and fury has once again spilled over into streams of people flooding Tahrir Square to voice their grievances. The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) which took over from Mubarak on Feb. 11, wants ...

Libya is Gaddafi free. Caught reluctantly but not so dramatically as historical fugitives or renegade fighters, Saif al-Gaddafi is in National Transitional Council (NTC) hands. Appearing downcast and pitiful in contrast to his fight-to-the finish mantra. Not so defiant and full of hot air as when, in the height of his country's revolution-turned full-blown civil war, he had only disdainful words and a finger for his people-- 'tooz'!(Arabic colloquial for literally a 'fart' on you; blast you!). Now a farewell from Libya and the non-Libyan spectators to this 2011 dramatic ...

This month a report came in that Ariel Sharon had stirred from his 5-year slumber. Apparently, he has been flinching and giving signs of life in response to stimulus such as pinching and sound. He has moved his fingers. While this digital reflex is enough to render hope to his son, it is not enough to declare an 'Israeli Awakening' at all comparable to the Arab predecessor or 'Spring'. Some theories hold that he is the Messiah. In that vein then, has the Arab Awakening been the forerunner for the ...

Why is the holiest site of Islam, Mecca, being compared, disparagingly to Las Vegas? Indeed, is Islam's holiest site fast becoming a spiritually fashioned Las Vegas, loosely speaking? It could be because 95% of Mecca's millennium-old buildings have beendemolished in the past two decades to make way for a new glitzy and commercial modern-day pilgrimage experience that is the Saudi Arabian Kingdom's pride and joy. And rightly so, for a destination flocked to by millions each year, set to require the infrastructure to support many more Muslims in the years ...

Zamzam -- the Muslim faith's miracle Mekka Valley holy water is the Islamic answer to the Jordan Valley's Blessed Babtism water. This 'Muslim' water has had a long and more recently checkered story. It is associated with a special thirst-quenching experience, said to satisfy hunger appetite as well as to cure illness. Though more recently people are alleging that it might cause harm to the human body. Regardless, the holy water's beneficient qualities are no secret. The emergence of the Zamzam water began the settlement of the Mekkan valley, where ...

Curious about the Hajj season and wondering what the whole journey to Hajj entails (not to mention attainment of a new status, becoming the esteemed title holder - 'Hajji'- or one who has completed the journey of a life time)? Albawaba offers an overview of what is involved in the process and ultimate journey of pilgramage to Mecca. Managing the flow of pilgrims to Mecca in the year 2011, will represent no small challenge to Saudi authorities. According to a recent statement by the National Committee for Hajj and Umrah ...

2 weeks on from the October 18th, 2011 execution of the Shalit-Deal, and some human stories of Palestinian prisoners off-set the tale of one Israeli soldier in captivity, and some background. Albawaba redresses the balance with some Palestinian names and stories behind the prisoner-swap Shalit-Deal. It has been nearly a couple of weeks since the historic deal between Hamas and Israel saw the release of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit for 1,027 (technically 1,050 counting an earlier tranche release from the deal, see below) Palestinian political prisoners. Ashraf Ma'ahser -- ...

Free and new Libya last night ushered in a new era of post-Gaddafi political and social life. In a series of celebratory speeches in which new leaders declared liberation for Libya, any regret by Mustafa Abdul Jalil for the brutal death of their cruel lingering tyrant, was muted by jubiliation and optimism for a new Islamic path that included a lift on the polygamy ban and a return to Islamic banking. This departure from tyranny and corruption was prominent as the fresh-faced leaders emphasized the unity, humanity, and purity of ...

The death came faster than expected given such a long and laboured hold on power. During the revolution, Colonel Gaddafi, albeit delusional, was defiant as he clung to notions of his leadership for life and legitimacy as single heir to Libya. Since his ascension to rule 42 years ago, and especially as he hosted the Arab League at Sirte in 2010, neither the Colonel nor the nation, saw his end looming. Since Gaddafi's official ousting from power in August, 2011 and Gaddafi's underground retreat, no one anticipated just how soon ...