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iUpload and Spirit of America Bring "Viral Freedom" Through Blogs to Arab World
iUpload, a content management solution provider that develops corporate blogging software, announced that iUpload's Personal Publishing platform is being used by Spirit of America. The non-profit organization is funding the development of an Arabic blogging tool, that will make Internet publishing and free expression in the Middle East easier and more accessible than ever before.
Spirit of America, with the assistance of organizations, will make the Arabic blogging tool available at no cost and will host Arabic blogs for free for those working to advance freedom and democracy in the Arab world. iUpload's blogging software, which is an integral part of Personal Publisher is being used in this important effort.
The Iraqi non-governmental organization Friends of Democracy is the first organization to work with Spirit of America in using iUpload's blogging tool to help pro-democracy groups and individuals create blogs and publish and share their thoughts on the Internet.
iUpload Personal Publisher, which is an integral part of iUpload's content management solution, is a platform for building branded, self-service, blog communities and can be developed for any company or community. In this case, iUpload has created an Arabic "skin" for Spirit of America, which can now offer people in the Arab region a place to communicate and share their ideas. This combined effort will create communities, providing people with an easy to way to contribute content, photos, thoughts and ideas through a network of blogs.
"Freedom of expression and democracy are the foundation of free and peaceful societies. The Arabic blogging tool will make it possible for more people in the Middle East to freely share their ideas than ever before," said Jim Hake, founder and chief executive officer of Spirit of America.
"There has been a lot of discussion about the "war of ideas" in the Middle East and Muslim world but painfully little done to win it," Hake continued. "Working with iUpload has enabled us to provide the tools needed by the champions of freedom and democracy in Iraq and the Middle East and help them spread the ideas that will transform the region."
Every blog developed with the Arabic blogging tool will highlight the groups, individuals and news that advance freedom and democracy in Iraq. Each blog will therefore spread information encouraging freedom in the region and will make it easier for the supporters of democracy to exchange information and work together.
"We're excited to be working with Spirit of America to extend a voice through blogs to the Arabic speaking world," said Robin Hopper, CEO of iUpload. "Not only will this solution allow people in that region to share content through blogs, but this important project will also result in new ideas and build communities through knowledge sharing."
Friends of Democracy educates Iraqi citizens about democracy and the upcoming elections in Iraq. The organization will manage the Arabic blogging tool and provide technical assistance to other pro-democracy groups in Iraq. After the completion of the Arabic blogging tool, Spirit of America will make available versions in Kurdish and Farsi to support other pro-democracy individuals and groups in the Middle East.
Spirit of America's mission is to extend the goodwill of the American people and assist those advancing freedom and peace abroad. The organization has been especially active in Iraq, working in close cooperation with American civilian and military personnel to assist the Iraqi people. Spirit of America has focused on providing the tools needed by Iraqis to improve their lives - ranging from sewing machines for Iraqi women's sewing centers to hand tools for Iraqi tradesmen to broadcast equipment for Iraqi-owned and -operated TV stations.
The Arabic blogging tool provided by iUpload and Spirit of America offers a new tool for those working for progress and freedom in the country.
If enough funds are raised, Spirit of America will seek other moderate organizations to oversee blogs in other Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia and Syria. 10.12.2004, iUpload
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