So according to the calender, it’s blog-about-your-favorite-blogger-day and I’m forced to break the rules because I don’t have just one. Every blogger in my links section is someone who has a blog that I read consistently (when that term applies to my life) and I do feel they represent the best of the best from my point of view. Hence, I’m going to provide a list of the 7 blogs that I read on pretty much a daily basis. They are divided between 2 main categories, along with an explanation of why I am a fan (in no particular order).
The Specialists: Bloggers who blog about one specific topic.
1- Haitham Sabbah: The Activist | A self-described “uprooted Palestinian”, I have an immense amount of respect for Haitham’s ability to consistently tell the stories no one else tells. The majority of my Palestinian-related news comes straight from Haitham, to the point that I’ve often flirted with the idea of starting a specialized Palestinian issue-based blog myself. In a subject shrouded in with much darkness, Haitham’s blog is a 500 megawatt spotlight.
2- Khalaf: The Politicker | I like to pride myself with being up to date when it comes to political issues in Jordan, but at least half the posts Khalaf writes are things that have fallen through the cracks for me. The other half are posts on political issues I’m already following up on, but with a commentary that make me think of those issues in a way that I didn’t before. So there’s something to be said about that.
3- Batir Wardam: The Environmentalist | I have to give it up to anyone willing to talk solely about the environment in our part of the world. It’s one of my favorite issues that gets pretty much no coverage at all in the region. Batir fills that void.
The Generalists: Bloggers who blog about various subjects.
4- Roba: The Art Aficionado | I don’t know if it’s cliche to say it, but the only word I can think of to describe Roba’s far away land, is the word “colorful”. In a city that is often gray and filled with gray-people, colorful is actually the perfect adjective. It really tells me everything I need to know about this blog and why I read it.
5- Lina: The Culture Vulture | She’s an observationalist who is one of the most down-to-earth people in Jordan, and perhaps the world. Lina is my cultural guide to the Kingdom and living proof that females have the ability to engage in the serious issues and not just talk endlessly about their day-to-day lives. Topics include personal gems of mine, such as media and social/political issues, as well as various culture-posts that are evenly divided between those that embrace everything-Amman, and those that show just how much she wants to get the hell out of here sometimes and discover the rest of Jordan, and indeed the world. It’s how we all feel at times.
6- Umm Zaid: The Sunni Sister | Simply put, she makes religion cool again. The way it was meant to be. There are few people who I feel are on the same wavelength as I am when it comes to understanding Islam. Umm Zaid is one of those people.
7- Ahmad Humeid: The Entrepreneur | If the Jordanian blogosphere had pillars, Ahmad would be one of them. He talks about everything and has interesting takes on every topic. Often times I think his blog would be pretty much what this blog would become if I lead a life as busy as his and had simultaneously mastered the art of keeping things sweet and short.
I rarely get to read Ahmad Humeid’s blog, if i try to access it from work i get this
This site is blocked by the SonicWALL Content Filter Service.
URL: http://360east.com/
Reason for restriction: Forbidden Category “Violence/Hate/Racism”
Awww, I am flattered. No seriously. I am. Especially since I hold your blog to very high standards and because I would have had a very similar list to yous (precisely minus a couple and adding a couple), but since I have decided that I’m not participating in this years blogging social events, I suppose you will have to do with this confession 🙂
{total blush}
Thank you Nas! You know that I’m not just shooting back when I tell you what position your blog holds in my list. People like you help maintain some sanity in this insane place and give a refreshing dose of energy and faith 😉
And, like Roba, my list is probably similar to yours. Hopefully I’ll manage to blog that before midnight 🙂
I am truly flattered. Thanks.
your blog in in my top 5 🙂
Salaam ‘Alaikum
Jazakh Allah Khair.
Coming out from you makes it even more special. Thanks a lot.
Well chosen, Nas!
Didn’t hear of them before .. however I’m glad I did now ..
Thanks for sharing those blogs with us ..
I wish I had my blog launched to participate this 🙂
Nice pickings…
I’d have to say you are totally one of my favorites 🙂
Although I’m not going to participate in this either, but you are one of my favorites 🙂
Good choice on Sabbah’s blog. It’s one of my daily reads, as is Black Iris.
With all due respect to your selection of best blogger,they are mostly right wingers Jordanian necons,off course except Sabbah’s ,such as Batir and Khalaf who will do anything and everything to sugar coat and defend the rotten ,useless and out dated regime in Amman.
The best blogger in my opnion is this guy.
I LOVE your blog, both content wise and appearance wise. Simply because I have always agreed with you on what you have to say. You make perfect sense to me. Even though you tackle a lot of political issues and I am not really a fan of politics since I do not have the patience and it mainly upsets me (Taken into consideration how Arabs choose to deal with politics), I still like to read for you. When you talk about Jordanian issues in specific, I can absoultely relate to you. I wish we had more people like you; young yet wise. You are capable of change, and you know what? I think you would make an excellent leader!
In short, you make politics fun.
Mashallah 🙂
hey thanks for choosing me .. im flattered 😛
I read some disturbing statements from the so-called “rebellious Arab Girl” on this blog
http://jordaniancritic.blogspot.com/2007/10/my-favorite-blogger-not.html
And AlUrduni can you for heaven’s sake define what is a right wing neocon? I would like to at least understand your definition of my sin.