The Internet in the Arab World

The Author: Rasha A. Abdulla is Assistant Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication at the American University in Cairo. Born and raised in Egypt, Abdulla has a Ph.D. in communication from the University of Miami (2003). She is the author of Al Internet fi Misr wal Alam Al Arabi (in Arabic), and has published several articles and book chapters in English on the Internet in the Arab world.

«'The Internet in the Arab World' discusses how Arabs can all experience one world - maybe for the first time in their long history - without borders or boundaries blocking the flow of information and events and communicate with each other without censorship, through an instant communication channel, which breaks the boundaries of time and place. The Internet has presented people in the region with the opportunity to engage in conversations, discussions, and debates about issues which were previously considered taboo such as religion, women's rights, and Arab governments, among others.... I believe this book is an excellent addition to the library of those interested in the Arab region....» (Hussein Amin, Professor and Chair, Journalism and Mass Communication, The American University in Cairo)
«One of the more promising developments in the past decade of Middle East media research is the emergence of young, well-trained scholars who reside in the region and produce important work in both Arabic and English. Heretofore, much of the research published in Arabic did not reach beyond the Middle East, and thus we were largely unaware of it. Rasha A. Abdulla's book on Arab media, focusing on the Internet, is precisely the type of quality work that is needed to help all who are interested in Middle East politics, culture, and economics understand a phenomenon that has been well studied in the West, but not extensively researched in Arab countries.... After reading the book, readers will know why Abdulla is one of the Arab world's most promising young media scholars.» (Douglas A. Boyd, Professor, Department of Communication, School of Journalism and Telecommunications, Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce; Chief of Staff, Office of the President, University of Kentucky; Author of 'Broadcasting in the Arab World: A Survey of the Electronic Media in the Middle East')