Egyptian Diasporas, Social Media, and the 2011 Egyptian Revolution: How Egyptians Living in Saudi Arabia Used Social Media During the Revolution
Location
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
Description
PURPOSE: The number and size of diasporas in the Middle East is increasing. However, scholars have not explored how diasporic communities in the region are engaged with recent political changes brought about by the Arab Spring. This study reports the results of interviews with Egyptians living in Saudi Arabia during the 2011 Egyptian Revolution in an effort to discern how this diaspora used social media platforms during the revolution. SUBJECTS: Egyptians in Saudi Arabia are the subjects of this study. METHODS: Interviews were conducted. ANALYSES: Grounded theory is used to analyze the interviews. RESULTS: Social media was a proper platform for the Egyptian diaspora to collect new political information and connect with people in Egypt. CONCLUSIONS: Social media provided a proper platform for the Egyptian diaspora to collect new political information and connect with people in Egypt. This Egyptian diaspora used social media to sustain strong ties with people in their homeland, increase their sense of political participation, and confirm political activity in their homeland.
Egyptian Diasporas, Social Media, and the 2011 Egyptian Revolution: How Egyptians Living in Saudi Arabia Used Social Media During the Revolution
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
PURPOSE: The number and size of diasporas in the Middle East is increasing. However, scholars have not explored how diasporic communities in the region are engaged with recent political changes brought about by the Arab Spring. This study reports the results of interviews with Egyptians living in Saudi Arabia during the 2011 Egyptian Revolution in an effort to discern how this diaspora used social media platforms during the revolution. SUBJECTS: Egyptians in Saudi Arabia are the subjects of this study. METHODS: Interviews were conducted. ANALYSES: Grounded theory is used to analyze the interviews. RESULTS: Social media was a proper platform for the Egyptian diaspora to collect new political information and connect with people in Egypt. CONCLUSIONS: Social media provided a proper platform for the Egyptian diaspora to collect new political information and connect with people in Egypt. This Egyptian diaspora used social media to sustain strong ties with people in their homeland, increase their sense of political participation, and confirm political activity in their homeland.