Mosque going up in NYC building

[Guest American Woman]

Death threats over images of Allah are nothing new. I find the following interesting, and it's a good example of people/companies backing down. And most amazing of all, the images aren't even of Allah. Note that Claudia Schiffer received death threats for wearing a dress on a Paris runway that no one had any idea was offensive to Muslims.

Allah everywhere

Muslim groups have on numerous occasions complained about images or words being used in ways they consider blasphemous, and Western business interests invariably back down.

In 2005, Burger King restaurants in Britain withdrew an ice cream product after Muslim customers said a label design – a stylized swirl of soft serve – looked like the Arabic script for “Allah,” when viewed sideways. The Muslim Council of Britain commended the company for “sensitive and prompt action.”

Pamphlets have circulated in Muslim countries alleging that the famous swirly-scripted Coca Cola symbol, if viewed in a mirror, resembles the Arabic words, “No Mohammed, no Mecca.”

In a “myths and rumors” section on its Web site, the Coca Cola Co. dismisses the charge, noting that “the trademark was created in 1886 in Atlanta, Georgia, at a time and place where there was little knowledge of Arabic.”

“The allegation has been brought before a number of senior Muslim clerics in the Middle East who researched it in detail and refuted the rumor outright,” the company says, and its Web site links to a ruling in 2000 by the top cleric in Sunni Islam, the grand mufti of Al-Azhar, Egypt.

Two years earlier, the owner of Walls ice cream, Unilever, was forced to scrap a new logo for use in the Middle East after Muslims in Gulf states said the symbol – a pair of intertwining red and yellow hearts – looked like the word “Allah” in Arabic, when viewed upside down and backwards.

In 1997, Nike pulled more than 38,000 pairs of basketball shoes after the Council on American-Islamic Relations said the logo – the word “air” in flame-like lettering – looked like “Allah” in Arabic, again, when viewed from a certain angle.

Nike also launched a program of “sensitivity training on Islam” and donated a children’s playground to an Islamic center in Falls Church, Va. In return, CAIR pledged to urge Islamic organizations and governments worldwide to cancel any planned boycotts of Nike.

And in 1994, Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld designed a dress incorporating an embroidered pattern copied from Arabic lettering on India’s Taj Mahal monument. He was unaware that the lettering included the phrase “They are the ones who found guidance,” which appears a number of times in the Koran.

After wearing the dress on a Paris catwalk, German model Claudia Schiffer received death threats, prompting her mother to make a public plea for her safety. An Indonesian clerics’ body also called for a boycott of Chanel.

Lagerfeld apologized, burned the garments, and said he would destroy all photographs and negatives of the dress.

Edited August 16, 2010 by American Woman

[BubberMiley]

Good clip.

I can't help but wonder why we're supposed to be so careful about not offending them, and so concerned about offending them.

Really? Because they will kill you if you offend them. I thought everybody knew that.

[DogOnPorch]

Really? Because they will kill you if you offend them. I thought everybody knew that.

"BubberMiley" when viewed backwards and upside down through red filter paper could say Islam Sucks if you squint hard enough. Please change immediately to avoid Islamic outrage.

[Guest American Woman]

"BubberMiley" when viewed backwards and upside down through red filter paper could say Islam Sucks if you squint hard enough. Please change immediately to avoid Islamic outrage.

I can't believe I never noticed that before! I, for one, am outraged on behalf of Muslims everywhere. :angry:

[DogOnPorch]

I can't believe I never noticed that before! I, for one, am outraged on behalf of Muslims everywhere. :angry:

No need to be upset. A certain element of Islam seems to be in a permanent state of upset. They'll handle any death threats you feel might be needed.

[dre]

Death threats over images of Allah are nothing new. I find the following interesting, and it's a good example of people/companies backing down. And most amazing of all, the images aren't even of Allah. Note that Claudia Schiffer received death threats for wearing a dress on a Paris runway that no one had any idea was offensive to Muslims.

Allah everywhere

Muslim groups have on numerous occasions complained about images or words being used in ways they consider blasphemous, and Western business interests invariably back down.

In 2005, Burger King restaurants in Britain withdrew an ice cream product after Muslim customers said a label design – a stylized swirl of soft serve – looked like the Arabic script for “Allah,” when viewed sideways. The Muslim Council of Britain commended the company for “sensitive and prompt action.”

Pamphlets have circulated in Muslim countries alleging that the famous swirly-scripted Coca Cola symbol, if viewed in a mirror, resembles the Arabic words, “No Mohammed, no Mecca.”

In a “myths and rumors” section on its Web site, the Coca Cola Co. dismisses the charge, noting that “the trademark was created in 1886 in Atlanta, Georgia, at a time and place where there was little knowledge of Arabic.”

“The allegation has been brought before a number of senior Muslim clerics in the Middle East who researched it in detail and refuted the rumor outright,” the company says, and its Web site links to a ruling in 2000 by the top cleric in Sunni Islam, the grand mufti of Al-Azhar, Egypt.

Two years earlier, the owner of Walls ice cream, Unilever, was forced to scrap a new logo for use in the Middle East after Muslims in Gulf states said the symbol – a pair of intertwining red and yellow hearts – looked like the word “Allah” in Arabic, when viewed upside down and backwards.

In 1997, Nike pulled more than 38,000 pairs of basketball shoes after the Council on American-Islamic Relations said the logo – the word “air” in flame-like lettering – looked like “Allah” in Arabic, again, when viewed from a certain angle.

Nike also launched a program of “sensitivity training on Islam” and donated a children’s playground to an Islamic center in Falls Church, Va. In return, CAIR pledged to urge Islamic organizations and governments worldwide to cancel any planned boycotts of Nike.

And in 1994, Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld designed a dress incorporating an embroidered pattern copied from Arabic lettering on India’s Taj Mahal monument. He was unaware that the lettering included the phrase “They are the ones who found guidance,” which appears a number of times in the Koran.

After wearing the dress on a Paris catwalk, German model Claudia Schiffer received death threats, prompting her mother to make a public plea for her safety. An Indonesian clerics’ body also called for a boycott of Chanel.

Lagerfeld apologized, burned the garments, and said he would destroy all photographs and negatives of the dress.

I think youre unfairly singling out muslims for this, but in reality youll get death threats if you overtly insult ANY sky-god believers.

Virtually everyone that insults Christianity for example routinely recieves death threats. That goes for Hitchens, Dawkins, Jeremy Hall, etc. In fact... you dont even have to insult Christians to get death threats, you merely have to have a dissenting opinion from theirs.

http://amiable-atheist.blogspot.com/2008/09/atheist-soldier-receives-death-threat.html

Even the authors of childrens books recieve death threats from Christians.

http://atheism.about.com/b/2007/07/26/jk-rowling-gets-death-threats-over-harry-potter.htm

And isnt this pleasant. The people who put up these billboards got death threats for merely trying to reach out to other atheists even though the content is not insulting at all.

http://current.com/news/91446453_death-threats-force-removal-of-atheist-billboard.htm

And these people dared to organize a festival for atheists... Death threats again.

http://www.secularstudents.org/node/2486

[Guest American Woman]

No need to be upset. A certain element of Islam seems to be in a permanent state of upset. They'll handle any death threats you feel might be needed.

Unfortunately, that's true.

Your post was too funny, though; and no more crazy than the real life examples cited in the article I linked to. And as I said, the "commendation for sensitivity" reaction says all too well that our western cultures all too often feel we are supposed to do whatever it takes to appease them. This thread is a perfect example of that mindset.

[DogOnPorch]

And these people dared to organize a festival for atheists... Death threats again.

http://www.secularstudents.org/node/2486

Likely Islamic death threats. Of the others only one seems to state Christians doing the threatening. But, sure...you being a relativist...all religions threaten atheists equally.

[dre]

Unfortunately, that's true.

Your post was too funny, though; and no more crazy than the real life examples cited in the article I linked to. And as I said, the "commendation for sensitivity" reaction says all too well that our western cultures all too often feel we are supposed to do whatever it takes to appease them. This thread is a perfect example of that mindset.

reaction says all too well that our western cultures all too often feel we are supposed to do whatever it takes to appease them

Nobody is appeasing them LOL. When they freaked out and told us how offensive they found depictions of Mohamed to be we responded by making thousands and thousands of such images in the most unflattering ways possible. And now you want them to have EMPATHY about making a Mosque

[Guest American Woman]

Likely Islamic death threats. Of the others only one seems to state Christians doing the threatening. But, sure...you being a relativist...all religions threaten atheists equally.

Yeah, I noticed that too. I have to wonder if he even read the article. Quote re: And these people dared to organize a festival for atheists... Death threats again.

This is the second death threat received by the society, the last one being made by university’s Muslim society member’s state. They believe that this most recent threat may have also been made by the same people.

[dre]

Likely Islamic death threats. Of the others only one seems to state Christians doing the threatening. But, sure...you being a relativist...all religions threaten atheists equally.

Christians threatened this guys life over a cracker.

http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/91269/

Christian death threats for teaching evolution.

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2007/07/professors-in-c/

Opponents of teaching fake ID pseudo science get death threats.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuOzsssN9Cs&feature=related

But, sure...you being a relativist...all religions threaten atheists equally.

I never said they all threaten atheists equally. But when a bunch of westerners are going on and on about death threats over cartoons, its good to show them that the prodominent religion where they live generates death threats almost constantly over just about anything. Kids books, education, etc.

[dre]

Yeah, I noticed that too. I have to wonder if he even read the article. Quote re: And these people dared to organize a festival for atheists... Death threats again.

This is the second death threat received by the society, the last one being made by universitys Muslim society members state. They believe that this most recent threat may have also been made by the same people.

I never claimed Muslims dont make death threats. You guys are the ones that seem to want to pretend that people making death threats over having their religious sensibilities offended is a muslim phenomenon and its just not. Its a magic sky god phenomenon.

The fact that you ignore this behavior from one group and focus on it from another should teach you something about yourselfs. Youre hopelessly bias and just chomping at the bit to discredit and malign Islam, and you hold muslims to a different standard.

Im not defending them... any of them. I mean... these people believe that a MAGIC AND ALL POWERFULL MAN IN THE SKY IS WATCHING THEIR EVERY MOVE

Edited August 17, 2010 by dre

[Guest American Woman]

Just noticed that Shady's status quotes the NY Post regarding Hamas' endorsement of the Mosque; this is my favorite quote from the article:

Politicians who previously had lots to say on the matter were not nearly as eager to discuss the latest development. link

Edited to add: From the Hamas Charter --

The Day of Judgement will not come about until Muslims fight the Jews (killing the Jews), when the Jew will hide behind stones and trees.

Edited August 17, 2010 by American Woman

[DogOnPorch]

I never claimed Muslims dont make death threats. You guys are the ones that seem to want to pretend that people making death threats over having their religious sensibilities offended is a muslim phenomenon and its just not. Its a magic sky god phenomenon.

The fact that you ignore this behavior from one group and focus on it from another should teach you something about yourselfs. Youre hopelessly bias and just chomping at the bit to discredit and malign Islam, and you hold muslims to a different standard.

Im not defending them... any of them. I mean... these people believe that a MAGIC AND ALL POWERFULL MAN IN THE SKY IS WATCHING THEIR EVERY MOVE

Hey...you're the one that posted a 'Christian death threat' that was apparently an Islamic death threat. Accuracy counts in certain things...

[Guest TrueMetis]

It sure stopped Comedy Central. They didn't want their staff injured/killed.

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2010/04/20/comedy-central-censors-south-park-episode-muslim-threats/

It was Viacom that made the decision not comedy central.

Right but their sensitivity about drawings of their fake god didnt stop us from drawing them did it? People started facebook groups encouraging people to draw Mohamed as much as possible, and they were subjected to thousands of insulting cartoons depicting their prophet in as many unflattering ways as possible.

And who says youre supposed to be "so carefull" about not offending them? You can do whatever you want. Maybe some people said its not a great idea, but thats about it.

By and large the pictures weren't insulting.

[DogOnPorch]

Just noticed that Shady's status quotes the NY Post regarding Hamas' endorsement of the Mosque; this is my favorite quote from the article:

Politicians who previously had lots to say on the matter were not nearly as eager to discuss the latest development. link

Edited to add: From the Hamas Charter --

The Day of Judgement will not come about until Muslims fight the Jews (killing the Jews), when the Jew will hide behind stones and trees.

Well...since the terrorists now endorse the thing...build away, eh?

The ironing is delicious.

---Bart Simpson

[dre]

Hey...you're the one that posted a 'Christian death threat' that was apparently an Islamic death threat. Accuracy counts in certain things...

That means fuck all. I posted lots of other examples as well. Fact is... Christians in the US will threaten your life pretty much at the drop of a hat. Or at least the extra nutty ones will.

[DogOnPorch]

It was Viacom that made the decision not comedy central.

My mistake...

Headline: Comedy Central Censors 'South Park' Episode After Muslim Site's Threats

[dre]

It was Viacom that made the decision not comedy central.

By and large the pictures weren't insulting.

The very act of making a depiction of their fake prophet is insulting to them.

The point being that American Womans bullshit narrative is totally bogus. We DIDNT go out of our way not to insult them... and they wont go out of their way not to insult us EITHER.

Edited August 17, 2010 by dre

[DogOnPorch]

That means fuck all. I posted lots of other examples as well. Fact is... Christians in the US will threaten your life pretty much at the drop of a hat. Or at least the extra nutty ones will.

Can you please stop using the 'F' word?

Yeah...everyday I'm having to dodge nuns with AK-47s and IEDs, too.

[DogOnPorch]

The very act of making a depiction of their fake prophet is insulting to them.

The point being that American Womans bullshit narrative is totally bogus. We DIDNT go out of our way not to insult them... and they wont go out of their way not to insult us EITHER.

As long as we don't bother Hitler...he won't bother us.

[Guest American Woman]

It was Viacom that made the decision not comedy central.

Comedy Central censored it.

Comedy Central bleeped out all references to the Prophet Muhammad in Wednesday night's episode of the animated show "South Park."

The episode was a continuation of last week's episode which depicted the Prophet Muhammad in a bear suit.

A radical Muslim website threatened the show's creators following that episode.

Comedy Central confirmed to FoxNews.com that it had censored the show, and that the episode was not available on its website.

link

[msj]

Comedy Central censored it.

Comedy Central is one of Viacom's brands, hence, Viacom who owns CC censored Southpark.

[Mansour Mohammed Jaffa]

Comedy Central is one of Viacom's brands, hence, Viacom who owns CC censored Southpark.

Indeed, they know that to publish such blasphemy would invoke the wrath of Allah and his holy warriors.

[DogOnPorch]

Comedy Central is one of Viacom's brands, hence, Viacom who owns CC censored Southpark.

Splittin' Hares.