[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.]
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani’s Historic Visit to Gaza
Emir of Qatar Begins Historic Gaza Visit Harriet Sherwood describes the first visit paid by a head of state to Gaza in more than five years and Qatar’s investment in the Hamas-controlled enclave, in The Guardian.
Qatari Emir Urges Palestinian Unity A news report on the Qatari royal visit to Gaza, on Al-Jazeera English.
Gaza and Qatar: Bringing gifts to the Holy Land An article on the royal visit and Qatar’s investment program in Gaza, in The Economist.
Qatar’s Foray into Gaza Politics: Bad for Iran, Good for Israel? Max Fisher analyzes the regional implication of the Qatari emir’s visit to Gaza, in The Washington Post.
Qatari Emir’s Visit to Gaza is a Boost for Hamas Ian Black and Harriet Sherwood argue that the royal visit constitutes a political victory to Hamas, in The Guardian.
Hamas Hails Diplomatic Victory: Cheering Crowds Greet Emir of Qatar as he Becomes First Foreign Head of State to Visit Gaza Since Group Seized Power Catrina Stewart reports on the arrival of the Qatari emir in Gaza.
Qatar Emir in Landmark Trip to Gaza Simeon Kerr and Vita Bekker report on the Qatari royal visit, in Financial Times.
Thank you, Qatar! Rami Khrais maintains the Qatari royal visit represents both a political and humanitarian gesture that sets it apart from other humanitarian projects in Gaza, on Al-Akhbar English.
Reports and Opinions
UAE Political Islamists Are Not "Human Rights Defenders" Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi argues against the depiction of political Islamists as human rights activists in the West, and characterizes them as xenophobic, racist and sectarian, on Al-Monitor.
UAE Authorities Step Up Smear Campaign against Political Prisoners A press release issued by the Emirates Center for Human Rights condemning the Emirates Human Rights Association’s portrayal of the treatment of political prisoner in the Gulf state.
Saudi Arabia’s Secret Arab Spring Kevin Sullivan describes the protests in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province as a sectarian uprising despite his acknowledgement that the protesters are demanding basic rights, in The Washington Post and The Independent.
Can Law Firms with Offices in Saudi Arabia Take Women’s Rights Seriously? Laura Paddison argues international law firms with offices in Riyadh are more concerned with lucrative business than with gender equality, in The Guardian.
Building a Yemeni State While Losing a Nation Silvana Toska argues that official discourse on dialogue does not reflect genuine inclusion, in Foreign Affairs.
Protests and the Election Law in Kuwait
Kuwaiti Democracy: A Desert Flower Wilts An article on the political crisis over the election law in the so-called most democratic Gulf state, in The Economist.
Kuwait bans gatherings of more than 20 after street clashes Martin Chulov reports on the recent banning of public gatherings in the Gulf state, in The Guardian.
Kuwait Seaside Protest Kept at Bay Yazan al-Saadi examines the implication of “The March of the Dignity of the Homeland” for both the government and the opposition, on Al-Akhbar English.
A Roadmap to Kuwait’s Dignity March Mona Kareem provides a political background to “The March of the Dignity of the Homeland,” on Al-Akhbar English.
Repression in Bahrain
Beneath Bahrain’s Shia-versus-Sunni narrative, only the Tyrants Benefit Maryam al-Khawaja writes a critique of the sectarian discourse on the protests in Bahrain, in The Guardian.
Bahrain Policeman Dies from Protest Injuries A news report on the death of a policeman from injuries sustained in April, on Al-Jazeera English.
Urban Landscapes in Mecca and Medina
The Changing Face of Mecca A photo article on the changes in the urban landscape in Mecca documented by artist Ahmed Mater, in Foreign Policy.
Why Don’t More Muslims Speak out against the Wanton Destruction of Mecca’s Holy Sites Jerome Taylor criticizes the silence on the destruction of historical buildings in Mecca, in The Independent.
Medina: Saudis Take a Bulldozer to Islam’s History Jerome Taylor writes on the demolition of historical monuments to build a colossal mosque in Medina, in The Independent.
What Have They Done to my Hajj? Ajmal Masroor laments the commercialization of hajj and the destruction of Mecca’s history and heritage, in The Guardian.
Human Rights Watch
UAE: EU Condemns Emirates Rights Climate A report on a resolution condemning human rights abuses adopted by the European Union despite pressures from the United Arab Emirates.
Saudi Arabia: Stop Prosecuting Peaceful Protesters A statement by the organization condemning the harsh treatments meted out to Saudi protesters.
Education
U.A.E. Moves Toward Paperless Classrooms Sara Hamdan writes on the transformation of classrooms and texts through the use of technology as an academic tool in the Gulf state, in The New York Times.
Arabic
الصعود التركي والنفوذ الخليجي: علاقة عكسية
Mona Safwan analyzes the significance of the Turkish president`s visit to Yemen vis-a-vis the role of the Gulf states.
أمير قطر بضيافة غزة: رفع المنحة إلى ٤٥٠ مليوناً
Sana Kamal reports on the Qatari royal visit and pledge to rebuild Gaza.
إطلاق ثلاثة نواب معارضين
A news report on the release of three activists in Kuwait.
الناقدة السعودية ذ. ميساء الخواجا: السياب لم يستطع تماما كسر حاجز القصيدة العمودية
An interview with the Saudi critic, Dr. Maysa al-Khawaja.
أطراف الصراع في اليمن.. من يستحوذ الآخر؟
Ahmad al-Sharifi writes on political struggles in Yemen.
السعودية وبريطانيا واستحقاقات التغيير السياسي
Dr. Said al-Shihabi writes on the relations between Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom.
الفقر في مملكة الذهب
Ahmad Dahman writes on poverty in Saudi Arabia.