Excitement for 'The Hunger Games' Hits the Middle East

If you thought this was another Twilight imitation, think again. Arab Sci-fi nerds get their geek on for 'The Hunger Games'; Saudi Tweet offender- Round Two; Lebanon's classic architecture is worth fighting for; A Salafi at a Pope Shenouda III talk; Colonialism and the Arab Spring.

A movie still from 'The Hunger Games'. (Image source: 'Rottentomatoes.com

A Separate State of Mind [3]

The Hunger Games is NOT Twilight

Excitement for the much awaited "The Hunger Games" is finally at an end as the film opens worldwide. Dormant sci-fi geeks, Middle Easter film goers have been flooding to their local theaters. Elie from Lebanon, who is an avid fan of the book series the film is based on, defends the series against those who have been making 'Twilight' comparisons. "I had no intention to write such a post. But when I saw people on various platforms saying that The Hunger Games is just another Twilight, I simply had to step in to say no. Just no. And I think I am a qualified person to make the comparison. How so? Well, I’ve actually read both book series before the hype for their movies set in."

The Next Web [4]

Twitter sees another outcry, with calls for the arrest of a second Saudi-based user for apostasy

Another day, another guy making a stupid comment on Twitter. In this case, that stupid comment could put Mohamed Salama in prison. Salama landed himself in hot water over statements regarding suicide and, once again, the Prophet Mohamed (PBUH). It seems that at this point, you're just asking for it. "A second man has been accused of apostasy by Twitter users in Saudi Arabia, following statements made on the social network, Emirates 24/7 reports."

Beirut Spring [5]

We Need a Smarter Conversation About Preserving Lebanese Architecture

It isn't much of newsflash that Lebanon's older buildings are crumbling. Yet, Mustapha from Lebanon believes that it is these classic buildings with their architectural finesse and innovation that are the heart of the country. As Lebanese historical landmarks, these buildings need to be protected. "That’s because anyone who knows his or her history of Architecture will understand why there’s a frustration with Lebanon’s current generation of preservation activists, activists who focus uniquely on very old architecture and ignore the gems produced by more contemporary movements."

A Sense of Belonging [6]

A Salafi Speaks in Church on Shenouda

"The evening was supposed to be about Fatima Naout and Pope Shenouda. It turned out to be so much more. That it included Fatima Naout is semi-exceptional in itself. St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church in Maadi invited her to be the keynote presenter for a memorial service for Pope Shenouda. Naout is a Muslim."

Jadaliyya [7]

The Invention of the Savage: Colonial Exhbitions and the Staging of the Arab Spring

"A current exhibit at the Quai Branly Museum in Paris, entitled “The Invention of the Savage,” may seem to be an odd lens for a commentary on the staging of the Arab Spring. Yet the exhibit, curated by the colonial historian Pascal Blanchard, along with French soccer superstar turned anti-racist activist Lilian Thuram, provides a series of links between the construction of difference and the exhibition of the other, both of which marked colonial history."