The topics dominating social media in the Arab world this week ranged from the Think Science fair in Dubai through to people calling out for help to save the world, controversy over religious freedom and Britain’s Queen Elizabeth celebrating her 90th birthday.
Thinking science
The Think Science fair is intended to help UAE youth develop scientific knowledge and attain critical thinking so they can find solutions to real-world problems.
User @m16cx enjoyed her time at the fair, adding: “Amazing year, amazing experience can’t wait to repeat it!”
@EFYouth explained what the event is all about: “Fair is a three-day event that brings together UAE youth to showcase their inventions.”
Mohammed @KnownAsDevil wrote: “Think Science convention was really useful, and inshallah we win this competition and make this country proud!”
User @3FREET27 said: “Best experience, see you next year.”
A biotechnology student, @AroubYM, tweeted: “Such innovative and inspiring science fair. I’m so happy and proud of our youth.” She added: “Extremely inspired and excited to participate next year.”
User @aiche_uaeu said: “We would like to present our gratitude to all the chemical engineering students who participated in the Think Science fair.”
Save the world
Can we really save the world? And if we can, how do we achieve that? A Twitter conversation on that topic raised issues of how to be helpful and active global citizens to help save the world from destruction. Is love all we need, or is there more to it than that?
Sara @SJBSchu noted: “Think Globally, Act Locally.”
User @iTurboTravis said: “Grow your own food.”
Mike @JamesMArcher: “Education yes! War no!”
@emery_kelly: “Unity, Love, Respect, Reason.”
User @MiriRod: “Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Repeat.”
Adam @RealAdamRose: “Stop. Denying. Climate. Change.”
User @peaceisactive singled out politicians: “Seriously... Stop Electing Republicans...”
User @theclobra supported women empowerment with: “More Women In Charge.”
@spencedbyus summed it up in one word (TRUE): “T. Tolerance R. Respect U. Unity E. Empathy.”
As @Pheramuse put it: “Stop spreading the hate.”
Religious freedom
This is one of the most controversial topics, with world chaos causing many people to blame certain religions for causing problems. But many users questioned whether it was truly about religion or something else.
Jawad @JawadFairooz posted: “Freedom of expression and belief are the main human values, let us defend them.”
@profnikki Tweeted a historic photograph of black people sitting at a restaurant during the civil rights era that was captioned: “Dear Mississippi, in case you missed it, we’ve already had this conversation. You don’t get to decide who sits at the lunch counter. Love, America.”
Her statement accompanying the photo was: “I don’t usually tweet politics, but I think this visual says it best.”
User @joshjcraddock urged: “Obama’s State Dept. should tell the truth about international Religious Freedom abuses in Iraq & Syria.”
@BhoRangzen praised the Dalai Lama, who symbolised “Humanity, Peace [so] Communist China has [to] ban him. Where is Religious Freedom in Tibet.”
The birthday Queen
Yesterday marked the British monarch’s 90th birthday, prompting a series of well-wishing on social media.
Sohail @SohailSiqbal wrote: “Thank you for the last 64 years.” User @Chris_McG gave this advice: “Remember folks, some people are born Queens, others just make it on their own.”
@RonniePye thought there’s a need for more people like the Queen: “If more people had your character the world would be a far better place.”
Sarah Khamis is The National’s social media editor
skhamis@thenational.ae
On Twitter: @SarahKhamisUAE