Saudi Blues ... or Reggae

The past few days have seen a flurry of activity in Saudi Arabia against the ban on women drivers. A number of protests, some unreported, some high profile have sent a powerful message to the ruling elite. 

The protests are a symptom of the contradictions of Saudi society, partly the product of the policies of the ruling elite who, in order to protect their hold to power in an increasingly diverse society, have invested in a dual strategy consisting in courting the ultra-conservative religious establishment (and the notorious Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice also known as the religious police) and facilitating the expansion of middle class consumerism (described so vividly by Rajaa Alsanea in her Banat al-Riyadh (Girls of Riyadh) novel. Tensions have surfaced on a number of occasions from unrest in many provincial cities against corruption to the various forms of activism on women's rights. Media activism constitutes one of the fields in which contentious politics find expression in the troubled Kingdom. Protesters devise creative and innovative ways in expressing grievances and criticism towards the regime.  

Below activist and artist Hisham Fageeh's take on the ongoing driving ban for women in Saudi Arabia.

New Open Society Foundation (OSF) and University of Westminster fee waiver scheme for Home/EU/International MA in Diversity and the Media students

We are pleased to announce the creation  of a new fee waiver scheme for Home/EU/International MA in Diversity and the Media students starting in September 2012. These are funded by the Open Society Foundation (OSF) and the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications/University of Westminster.

Students will need to be able to fund their own living costs.  

The deadline for scholarship applications is 31^st May 2012 and, in order to be eligible, applicants should be holding the offer of a place on the course before applying for the scholarships.

Amount:       50-100% fee waivers for Overseas and Home/EU students

Eligibility:     You must hold an offer for the full-time MA in Diversity and the Media.

Criteria:         Academic and/or professional excellence and promise and financial need as outlined in the applicants’ scholarship applications.

Deadline:      31 May 2012

A number of fee waivers funded by the Open Society Foundation (London Office) and the Department of Journalism, Media and Communication are available. These cover 50% or the full cost (100%) of home/EU or overseas tuition fees for the MA in Diversity and the Media of the University of Westminster starting in September 2012.

Students will need to be able to meet their living costs and the amount of tuition fees not covered by the award (where applicable).

The deadline for scholarship applications is 31 May 2012. In order to be eligible, before applying for the scholarships applicants should be already holding an offer of a place on the course.