South Africa pulls “Achmed the Dead terrorist” ringtone for being “offensive to Muslims”

by Infidelesto on October 2, 2008 · Comments

Your typical dhimmitude on display…

Btw, if you haven’t seen all of Jeff Dunham’s stuff, check out my previous post.

Foxnews

Funnyman ventriloquist Jeff Dunham is fuming after a ringtone advertisement based on his popular comedy skit, “Achmed the Dead Terrorist,” was scrubbed from South African TV because it mocks Islam.

The ringtone was taken from a puppet routine performed by Dunham, a native Texan, in a TV special on Comedy Central. A 10-minute clip of the comedian’s routine that was posted on YouTube has been viewed more than 66 million times since April.

But the government of South Africadoesn’t think it’s funny. According to iafrica.com, South Africa’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled that a GloMobile ringtone commercial featuring Dunham and his puppet was offensive to Muslims.

The commercial depicts Dunham holding his skeletal puppet, Achmed, dressed with a white cloth around his head and demanding that the audience keep quiet, uttering, “Silence! I will kill you!”

ASA officials said a South African man, Moegamat Khan, had filed a complaint that the commercial was offensive to the Islamic religion and created an impression that all Muslims were terrorists.

And the ASA agreed. “To associate this divine inspiration to a terrorist is offensive to the people who believe in [Muhammad],” the authority ruled. Muslims make up 2 percent of South Africa’s population.

But Dunham begs to differ. In a statement to FOXNews.com, he said: “Achmed makes it clear in my act that he is not Muslim, so I’m sorry the gentleman Khan didn’t see my entire show.

“I’ve skewered whites, blacks, Hispanics, Christians, Jews, Muslims, gays, straights, rednecks, addicts, the elderly, and my wife. As a standup comic, it is my job to make the majority of people laugh, and I believe that comedy is the last true form of free speech.”

Dunham — whose other puppets include Peanut, Bubba J and Walter, a grumpy retiree — said he has no plans to retire the controversial act.

The comedian said moves like this stymie the freedom to poke fun at any group.

“I truly believe that laughter can heal many wounds,” Dunham said.

In a jibe at the South African complainant’s name, he said: “I thought Khan was awesome in Star Trek.”

“If it would help things,” he added, “I’m considering renaming Achmed, ‘Bill.’”

Related posts:

  1. Comedian Defends ‘Achmed the Dead Terrorist’ Puppet Routine Against South African Ban
  2. Achmed The Dead Terrorist
  3. Video: Christmas Greetings from Achmed the Dead Terrorist – Jingle Bombs
  4. Archbishop of Canterbury: ‘Christian doctrine is offensive to muslims’
  5. Mine Collapse in South Africa traps 3000 Miners
  6. US Embassy in South Africa closed after threat from AL Qaeda
  7. North Korea Threatens to Turn South Korea Into ‘Debris’
  8. Detroit Muslims jump to the defense of radical Imam shot dead by FBI
  9. Major Pakistan Offensive: 30,000 troops deployed to take on Taliban
  10. North Korea threatens Nuclear Offensive if Provoked
Want automatic updates?
4 choices: Twitter, Facebook, RSS feed or get daily email updates
  • Malcolm
    i don't care if islam's feelings are hurt.  he is poking fun at terrorists not islam.  if you take offense i must assume that you sympathize with terrorists. being a retired soldier now i really don't care.  grow up and get over it.  if you can't take the joke....i feel sorry for you.  besides, islam claims to be a religion of peace, NOT, they have advanced their religion across the world by subversion and violence.  don't argue with me read your world history and discover the truth for yourself.  don't ask a muslim he won't tell you  the truth.  read world history.
  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uwOL4rB-go

    LET US OFFEND THEM SOME MORE :)
  • jennyjen
    I love Achmed! His skit says hes a dead terrorist, not a dead Muslim (of course what other group of people routinely blow themselves up). Good for Jeff- he's standing up for comedy and his right to make fun of whomever he pleases!   Khan wouldn't know funny if it sat on his face haha!  SILENCE!
blog comments powered by Disqus