Zawaya

Ali Meghazi

Ali Meghazi is an Algerian writer and poet. His main interests lie in literature, culture and women’s issues. Meghazi has published two collections of poems, one entitled “On the Shaded Side” (2005) and the other “My loves” (2009). Two of his other works are soon to be published.

Opinions by this panelist

E-Learning in Algeria... A picture in black

"Online education" is nonexistent in Algeria. This initiative is a victim of the absence of a clear project to develop the world of communication, and upgrade the educational system and liberate it from the State's monopoly. For Algerians, online education… more

Women's rights in Algeria, between legislation and practice

Algerian women have come a long way with regard to their legal situation, after having made many brave sacrifices during the terrorism era. A report by the American institution "Freedom House", published in March 2010, showed the extent of freedom… more

Let's all get ready for Ramadan: Army, people and government

Weeks or days before the start of Ramadan, everyone (religious or not), in the Arab Maghreb like in all Muslim countries, feels that they should seriously consider getting ready for the meaningful changes that will take place in their lives.… more

Cultural cafés as a lifestyle

The term "cultural café" has been frequently used during the last ten years in some Maghreb countries, where official and semi-official cultural institutions have hosted a variety of evenings and seminars in the fields of literature, thought and philosophy, on… more

The global financial crisis deepened the poverty of Algerians

The world woke up on Monday, September 15th, 2008, to the most powerful financial tsunami that jolted the largest economies of the developed world, starting with the U.S. economy. News, reports and analysis all featured scary headlines that agreed upon… more

Our future is in our children's hands

Tunisia is undeniably the most secular country in the Arab world; people enjoy international human rights, and government prevents the majority from abusing the minority, the rich from harming the poor, men from offending women, parents from abusing children... Unfortunatley,… more

Sacred rape...

Eastern societies have always strived to sanctify the complete crime of "the wedding night." All families that observe Arab-Islamic traditions sanctify this form of rape, and go as far as to celebrate and defend it; marriage is not even considered… more

Peaceful change is the best way to stop the havoc induced by al-Qaeda

The Arab authoritarian regimes engaged in a role-playing game with al-Qaeda. The governments of these regimes that weren't really elected or that won in rigged elections, always needed a bloody opponent to establish and perpetuate their security systems for. Arab… more

The generation of online social networking is shaping the future

The young Maghreb generation that reached the age of maturity in the last decade - characterized by a huge progress in communication technologies -, never believed in expressing their opinions and demands through traditional and conventional means, institutions and organizations.… more

Mawazine festival... Yes... but...

The Moroccan government allocated about 514 million dirhams (67 million U.S. dollars) to the Ministry of Culture in 2011, amounting to less than 0.3 of the public budget. The cultural sector is thus on a very tight budget. Nevertheless, Morocco… more

Closing the Algerian-Moroccan borders is a major crime

During the 15 year-long closure of the Algerian-Moroccan borders, an entire generation in both countries lived its childhood, adolescence and young adulthood without getting the chance to know, and communicate with, the other part. In my opinion, this somehow distorts… more

A Maghreb institution for Libyan refugees

The Libyan war between the forces of Gaddafi who lost all legitimacy in the international community, and the armed battalions of the opposition supported by external parties, is taking dangerous turns over time. It's a real war resulting in horrible… more

Libyan civil war, the long-awaited boon for extremists

For starters, let us agree in principle that Maghreb regimes are similar to their counterparts in the Mashreq and Gulf: They are corrupt, tyrannical, illegitimate, and should be overthrown. But how, and by which means? And who is entitled to… more

Freedom for all... Or everybody will lose

Scene I: Thursday 21 July 2011, hundreds of men and women, including prominent political figures, took to the streets of Tunis to condemn religious violence and openly express their concerns about the growing Islamic radicalism in the country. They all… more

What's the point of dialogue with others if there is none with oneself?

Religious societies are usually more sensitive about accepting the principles, values and conditions of democracy, whereas non-religious societies are not necessarily the most democratic. Some societies achieved a certain balance because they didn't use democracy to suppress religious people, nor… more

Why boast about noble values amidst historical grudges?

Last Saturday, October 8, 2011, some "anonymous" individuals destroyed graves in two Christian and Muslim cemeteries in Jaffa city in Israel. Those "anonymous" people left racist statements expressing fierce hostility towards the Arab minority in Israel, where such shameful events… more

The trial of Saif al-Islam Kadhafi puts Libyan judiciary to the test

Tunisia's interim President Fouad Mebazaa did not dare sign a lawful order to hand over al-Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi, former Prime Minister of Kadhafi's ousted regime, to the new Libyan leaders. Mr. Mebazaa is worried that al-Mahmoudi would be tortured. Al-Mahmoudi is… more

Let's help the African Sahel countries to help ourselves

The term "African Sahel countries" is often associated with fighting terrorism and organized crime, as well as painful stories of abducted foreigners. Events continue with regards to military and intelligence expeditions for the release of kidnapped victims, or to mysterious… more

No Salafism with moderate Islam, and no Islamists amidst moderation

From the very beginning, let's avoid the blatant confusion in current terminology: Islamists, Salafists, extremists, fundamentalists... Let's only use the terms "moderate Islamist" and "extremist Islamist", since they are the least confusing so far. A moderate Islamist may be Shiite,… more

Let's stop being selfish and rename our Maghreb union

"Unity" is a beautiful and resonant word, based on good intentions, that wins everyone's approval. However, the term raises relatively small questions that, once asked, become bigger than expected; answering them becomes a larger project than unity itself. Many Maghreb… more

The Greater Maghreb identity crisis

Let’s not describe the Maghreb with ethnic and religious adjectives. Let’s not call it an "Arab" Maghreb, as closed-minded nationalists do; nor an "Islamic" Maghreb, as does al-Qaeda, nor an "Amazigh" Maghreb, which came as a reaction to previous names.… more

They have their religion, we have ours

The advocates of political or armed Islam are hostile, with their words and actions, towards the Sufis, who focus on the spiritual aspects of Islam and do not practice politics except through voting, like any ordinary individual in society. This… more

Tunisian government, media vie for power

The Islamist-led Tunisian government is extremely sensitive to criticism coming from media professionals that disagree with its ideology. Therefore, authorities are trying to enact laws and take measures aiming to confine public media, at least, to the boundaries of its… more

The right to be different

The principle of tolerance and the right to difference are two concepts that go strongly together. One does not stand without the other. One is only tolerant in words and deeds with himself and within his family and society if… more