Global Voices Online

It's been an interesting few days on the Jordanian blogosphere. It seems nearly every blogger has been talking about Petra, the rose-red city that recently became one of the new Seven World Wonders. Most seem to be celebrating with a lot of poetic and unbridled enthusiasm (even from afar), but some are wondering, some are lamenting and some are thinking of the alternatives. Meanwhile, other bloggers are thinking ahead of what the win will mean for Petra's economic future.

Elsewhere on the Jordanian blogosphere:

Rambling Hal has a bone to pick with the archaic (and outlawed) tradition of shooting guns during traditions.

“Ok, so we're not a developed country. But you are KIDDING me if you think we can claim to be a developing country, and we're still allowing this retarded stupidity to run rampant,” says Hal.

On 7iber Dot Com, Jordan's online citizen journalism project, Pheras Hilal sits with artist Omar Bilbeisi to talk about Arabic Calligraphy. Also on 7iber: be sure to check out Lina Ejeilat's review of Algerian singer Souad Massi's concert in Jerash as well as Ramsey Tesdell's three-part series on education in Jordan, entitled “Failing the Future”.

Souad Massi at Jerash. Photo Courtesy of Lina Ejeilat

Wael Attili was surprised to discover that some Jordanian banks are now operating on a Friday (the weekend in Jordan), and snapped a few undercover pictures with his camera phone just to prove it! Meanwhile, Tambi thinks there's something fishy going on with Jordanian web design companies.

After living in Jordan for only three years, Moey has found new-old ways to turn that infamous Jordanian frown upside down. It seems Lina also has a long list of things worth doing in Amman this summer (that are pretty good cheat notes).

Jasim takes a look at traditional marriages and ponders their effectiveness, while Hala wonders if mixing work with hijab is a recipe for failure. Ola thinks books may be expensive in Jordan, but everything is relative, as Z3tr feels Jordanians should volunteer more in their communities.

The Arab Observer wonders if the Amman Municipality's campaign on street beggars is a right one, while Roba, who never flew a kite in her life, decided to get on board with the popular Jordanian childhood pastime. Based on the photographic evidence, well, let's just say her attempt wasn't too successful…

Photo Courtesy of Roba Assi

In other news: Khalaf has a few insights on the release of four Jordanian prisoners once held in Israeli prisoners, while Yugi looks at how the news was reported by Israeli press. Meanwhile, Jordanian bloggers have a lot to say about Dr. Mohammed Asha, the alleged “terrorist” involved in attempted bombings in the UK a few weeks back.

While Naseem wonders if Jordanian democracy is all but dead on the Internet, Ahmad Humeid and Batir Wardam have a few reflections on an event hosted by the German embassy on Youth and New Media, with the question of whether bloggers are journalists at the heart of the debate.