Harmony In Setif, Algeria

Do you live in Algeria and have a website or want one? Or do you create Algeria related content on the web? We want you!

Please join my group over at Facebook, Algerian Webmasters.  The group will be geared towards providing resources for Algerian webmasters, newbies and old-hat alike. It will also be used for finding link exchanges, social promotion and much more.

I’ve been thinking of starting it for some time now and just got to it today. My feeling is why aren’t more Algerians using the internet to make some money when so many are struggling to earn so little when they can earn the same amount on the internet with very small time investments. But, there is a learning curve to knowing how to accomplish that. And I just hope that I can help hurry that curve along more quickly and help someone achieve some sort of financial success.

So, if you are interested or know someone who may be, please visit the group’s page and press the join button.

Thanks!

BBC Sports Reports:

Arab champions Entente Setif have won their third league crown in 20 years.

Sorry, this news comes a little late. But… Yay! It’s great news for Setif!

Technorati Tags: Setif, Algeria, Algerian, Cup, 2007, Football, Soccer, Sports

Chef Zadi posts a photo and some brief descriptions of a merguez seasoned kefta kebab sandwich. Makes my mouth water! Yummy! Click here to view post.

Technorati Tags: algerian, cuisine, Chef Zadi, merguez, sandwich

I just discovered this website. If you want to see what’s airing on Algeria’s own tv station click here. The feed is live and in French and Arabic. Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: Algerian, Algeria, TV, ENTV.DZ, online tv

Magharebia.com Reports:

Algerians are concerned about the number of children abducted, and the kidnapping of Yacine Bouchelouh has captured the attention of parents throughout the country. Official statistics show the disappearance of 841 children since 2001, ranging in age from 4 to 16.

Some Algerians attribute the trend of child abductions to criminal networks trafficking in human organs, while others feel the disappearances are sexually motivated.

That’s some very disturbing news! I’ll be thinking twice about where I let my kids run off to from now on! Click here for full article.

Technorati Tags: algeria, child, kidnapping, abduction, children

NYT reports:

Women make up 70 percent of Algeria’s lawyers and 60 percent of its judges. Women dominate medicine. Increasingly, women contribute more to household income than men. Sixty percent of university students are women, university researchers say.

That’s really great to hear. Very inspiring and I just hope that it will give women a unified front when demanding thier rights in Algerian family law.

Technorati Tags: women, algerian, algeria, employment, progress

Setif Wins 1-0 against Jordan in the Arab League Championship 2007 game. Very very exciting! Setif is a madhouse. Cars honking, fireworks igniting. Setif is oozing with pride right now. Wish you could be here to experience it!

Visit the ESS official website for up to date information and goodies.

Viva Setif!

Technorati Tags: ess, setif, algeria, arab league, championship, 2007, soccer, football

Although voters will be allowed to choose elected representatives, their choices are limited to candidates blessed by the military-backed system of government that has prevailed in Algeria since it gained independence from France in 1962. Only a handful of minor opposition parties are permitted to run against the governing coalition.

Read more here…

Technorati Tags: algeria, election, 2007, parlimentary, vote, politics

This last week I read that Al Qaeda was encouraging their followers to boycott today’s Parlimentary elections. And I thought,  “what a way to make changes, not supporting the democrat process, … idiots!” But, then last night when I was doing my weekly grocery shopping, I inquired with the merchants if they were going to be voting. And they said ‘no’ they don’t want to vote because all the nominees are corrupt! Well, that’s a system that works, huh? So, I am left thinking to myself what is the solution to this problem. The president hasn’t, thus far, promoted an atmosphere where the people of Algeria can freely express themselves about what they want or how they feel. My God! The press are locked up for criticizing government officials. How can an average Algerian feel confident to do so. So, of course, the nominees are corrupt! They know someone, or knows someone who knows someone who will help them get to the top in a corrupt system. It’s a shame, really. Algerians as a people are very kind and generous. Their country has so much potential for being great! But, the ignorant and greedy just can’t get enough! I wish upon a wish, pray upon a prayer that Algerians could come together in an intelligent and peaceful way, of course, and effect some real changes within their communities and government.

Technorati Tags: vote, parlimentary, election, algeria, algerian, setif, corruption

A reader wrote in and asked for some interesting traditions. One, that came to mind is the saving of bread. When I first arrived, here in Algeria, after dinner we were cleaning up. And as we were clearing the table I tried to throw out the half-eaten bits of baguette. Immediately, I was told not to through it but save it. It is basically sacrilege to through away bread. All uneaten bits are saved and then taken to the cows or sheep to eat. I’ve even seen some doorsteps full of old bread where the city sheep herders will come and let thier sheep eat it. I even, now, save all my old bread and keep it in bags until my father-in-law takes it to wherever it goes.

Thanks Lauro!

Technorati Tags: algeria, tradition, bread, sacrilege