Arabian Peninsula Media Roundup (September 25)

[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on the Arabian Peninsula and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Arabian Peninsula Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week's roundup to ap@jadaliyya.com by Monday night of every week.]

Reports and Opinions

University Degree a Must to Visit UAE: Report A report on the new requirement stipulating that tourists from South Asian countries should hold a university degree in an attempt to curb illegal labor in the Gulf state, in The Daily Star.

Saudi Sentences Qatif Protesters to Prison, 300 Lashes A news report on the sentences of three protesters in Qatif, on Al-Akhbar English.

UAE Islamists Admit Forming Military Wing A news report on the banned al-Islah party's plan to topple the regime in the Gulf state, in The News.

Saudis Protest Anti-Islam Film in a Civilized Way Saleh Fareed argues that unlike demonstrators in most countries, protesters in the kingdom did not champaign violence, in the Saudi Gazette.

The Mystery of the Syria Contact Group Vijay Prashad analyzes the absence of Saudi Arabia from the Syria Contact Group meeting in Cairo, in Asia Times.
 
Repression in Bahrain

Dictators Unite for Bahrain Mona Kareem examines the support offered to the Bahraini regime by Arab and Western governments at the meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council, in Al-Akhbar English.

The West Conspires Against Bahrain While Exploiting Syria Ali Mushaima reflects on Western governments' positions on the uprisings in Syria and Bahrain, in Al-Akhbar English.

Bahrain Pledges to Improve Rights Record A news report on the Bahraini regime's promise to implement 158 out of 176 recommendations specified in the new UN report, on Al-Jazeera English.

US Criticizes Bahrain's Slow Pace of Reform Simeon Kerr writes on the US government's call on the Bahraini government to hold its security forces accountable for the harsh measures taken against protesters, and to implement more reforms, in Financial Times.

Crisis in Yemen

A Yemeni Response to Cultural Islamophobia Murad Alazzany analyzes the heterogenous nature of the protests against the film Innocence of Muslims in Yemen, on Al-Jazeera English.

Firebrand Cleric Walks a Fine Line in Yemen Jane Ferguson discerns a shift in the fiery rhetoric of Sheikh Abdul Zindani, a key figure in the Yemeni Salafi movement, on Al-Jazeera English.

Yemen: Twelve Killed in Sectarian Clashes A news report on clashes between Shia tribesmen and ultra-conservative Sunnis in northern Yemen.

Human Rights Watch

Protecting Yemen's Students From Attack A statement by the organization condemning the occupation of schools by soldiers during the 2011-2012 uprising in Yemen.

Bahrain: Act on UN Human Rights Commitments A statement on Bahrain's Universal Periodic Review at the latest meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

UN Human Rights Council: Adoption of the Outcome of the Bahrain UPR An assessment of Bahrain's reform records in the country's Universal Periodic Review.

Economy & Markets

Oil Tumbles as Saudis Offer More Supply Emiko Terazono and Gregory Meyer report on the recent drop in oil prices due to Saudi Arabia's increase of its production, in Financial Times.

Entertainment

Scherzinger Is a Lot of Cash, Nicole Gordon Smart reports on Nicole Scherzinger's exorbitant charge (one million US dollars) for her forty-five minute performance at the Dubai World Trade Center, in The Sun.

Arabic

جلسة جنيف حول البحرين: السلطلة والمعارضة تدعيان نصراً!
Shahira Salloum writes on the victory claimed by both the Bahraini government and opposition at the latest meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

أمير سعودي: مواقع التواصل "مسيسة" وتستخدم للاختراق الأمني للمملكة
A report on the statement issued by the Saudi Minister of Tourism and Archaeology describing social websites as politicized and subversive.

الوليد بن طلال: أقلية فقط شاركت في الاحتجاجات المناهضة لأمريكا
Prince Walid bin Talal's take on the protests against the anti-Islamic film.

مقاطعة السعودية للجنة الرباعية
An editorial article on the Saudi regime's boycott of the Syria Contact Group held in Cairo.

حملات دهم واعتقال واحتجاجات على وقع مؤتمر جنيف
A news report on the protests and arrests in Bahrain during the meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.

السلطة تطلب من السعودية الضغط على مصر وقطر.. وعدم العبث بالشرعية الفلسطينية
Walid Awad writes on the request made by Palestinian Authority to Saudi Arabia to exert its pressure on Egypt and Qatar.

حقوقيون سعوديون يكشفون عن وفاة ١٣ معتقلا في سجون المملكة
Saudi rights activists expose the death of thirteen people in Saudi prisons.

السعودية تلغي اوبريت العيد الوطني "تضامنا" مع الشعب السوري
A report on the Saudi King's decision to cancel the operette celebrating the independence of the kingdom in solidarity with the Syrian people.

يومنا الوطني..
Dr. Ihsan Ali Bouhaliqa reflects on Saudi Arabia's independence day.  

علماء القطيف والأحساء يستنكرون الإساءة للنبي الأكرم محمد
A statement by religious clerics in Qatif and Al- Ahsa in Saudi Arabia condemning the anti-Islamic film.