Comedian Defends 'Achmed the Dead Terrorist' Puppet Routine Against South African Ban

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

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 Africa doesn'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. (more of the same- LS)

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.'"

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,431866,00.html

[IAMX 3,055]

They only need to reference that to the U.S. where there are many uneducated people correlate the Muslim religion specifically with terrorism.

However, there is indeed a Muslim reference in there, just to show the article is full of sh!t and they're just stupidly taking the guy's word for it:

At 4:30 he makes a reference to 72 virgins and paradise, which is directly toward the Muslim religion, and would mean he believes in the Muslim faith, regardless of the "made in china" joke at the end.

http://www.livingislam.org/fiqhi/sp2-gfh_e.html#59

72 Virgins in Paradise

Very often I hear from non-Muslims negative remarks regarding 72 virgins in paradise for shuhada. Can you teach me a good answer about that issue, or guide me to some article about it.

Wa `alaykum as-Salam:

Tell them that the perfection of Islam dictates that it have a motivation for every type of person including those that are not motivated except through sensory reward, which is the common lot whether Christians deny it or not, and that the principle of Paradise as reward for martyrs is also very much present in their doctrine. However, Paradise in Islam also describes a higher level called ridwan i.e. the lavishing of Divine good pleasure, to which we pray that Allah guide us.

Hajj Gibril

So while I don't agree with squelching anyone for speech or defaming religions, it would be asinine to suggest it has nothing to do with it.

Edited October 5, 2008 by SRVT

[Peikko 1,575]

It's quite possible that if the only thing the SA audience has any knowledge of is some 30 second commercial then the context of whether this is or isn't a deliberate slur on Islam is entirely missing for them. Are people watching tv to research the material of a comedian in order to ascertain whether or not something is appropriate? I expect this article is rather misleading, if one is to suppose from it that the agenda of SA is to defend muslims come what may.

[sereia 0]

*shrug* I thought it was funny. I'm not Muslim, but I can't imagine if I were I would be offended by the virgin part. Or the terrorist parts because well, as we all know, not all Muslims are terrorists. And not all terrorists are Muslims. But for him to say it wasn't about a Muslim terrorist...come on! The guy's name was Ahmed and what other religion offers you virgins in paradise?

But besides that, it was FUNNY and not offensive, imho. My husband laughed also and he is Muslim.

AND he made fun of Jews, Catholics, Bill Clinton, the Washinton Monument, the Verizon guy, and Prius cars too! Should we all be offended then if we happen to be one of those things?

I just think people need to lighten up.

Edited October 5, 2008 by sereia

[IAMX 3,055]

*shrug* I thought it was funny. I'm not Muslim, but I can't imagine if I were I would be offended by the virgin part. Or the terrorist parts because well, as we all know, not all Muslims are terrorists. And not all terrorists are Muslims. But for him to say it wasn't about a Muslim terrorist...come on! The guy's name was Ahmed and what other religion offers you virgins in paradise?

But besides that, it was FUNNY and not offensive, imho.

AND he made fun of Jews, Catholics, Bill Clinton, the Washinton Monument, the Verizon guy, and Prius cars too! Should we all be offended then if we happen to be one of those things?

I just think people need to lighten up.

I agree. Mostly. There's nothing that makes you question your own values and consider being open-minded than being challenged with something you might find offensive. However, the nature of this common sense aspect is overlooked because most people don't care about the humor. What I mean is they'll laugh at other religions but as soon as theirs shows up in the joke column they ignore it or get offended. Hell, the documentary film Religulous from Bill Maher showed that.

Edited October 5, 2008 by SRVT

[sereia 0]

Hey he said something in that video that included me but I didn't get offended. Why? Because I know what a good joke is. I know that people who have common sense know the difference between terrorists and Muslims. I know that people who have common sense know that not all Jews are cheap. I know that people with common sense know that not all Catholic priests like little boys.

Oh well, people will get "offended" at ANYTHING others do. But you're right people do love to laugh at others expense but once its about them....watch out! I'm glad that I am not like that!

Speaking of good comedians.. anyone watch Russel Peters on showtime? I thought he was hilarious! He makes fun of everyone too! He's an Indian guy and makes fun of his people a lot too.

[Peikko 1,575]

I still question the context as the motivation for the ban. If you 'know' the comedian and the nature of his routines it's probably easier to understand what makes the commercial funny. If you don't, I wonder what exactly one would make of it? Needless to say, it was an act to ban a commercial, not the comedian so it's very hard to say exactly how important this is in terms of whether SA is 'outraged' on behalf of muslims per se.

[morocco4ever 63]

It most certainly did suggest Muslim, so denying that is not a weak argument for his side. As others have stated, it was funny, and was only mocking terrorists, that in this case happened to be "Muslim". Both my husband and I found it quite funny.

On the other I can understand the sensitivity of Muslims. They do get a bad rap here in the US by those that are ignorant and vocal.

[sereia 0]

It most certainly did suggest Muslim, so denying that is not a weak argument for his side. As others have stated, it was funny, and was only mocking terrorists, that in this case happened to be "Muslim". Both my husband and I found it quite funny.

On the other I can understand the sensitivity of Muslims. They do get a bad rap here in the US by those that are ignorant and vocal.

The complaint came from SA, no???

[jundp 191]

I find it interesting that the government who instituted apartheid and created separated townships based on the degree of a person's "blackness" is banning a comedy act because it's offensive...

[morocco4ever 63]

It most certainly did suggest Muslim, so denying that is not a weak argument for his side. As others have stated, it was funny, and was only mocking terrorists, that in this case happened to be "Muslim". Both my husband and I found it quite funny.

On the other I can understand the sensitivity of Muslims. They do get a bad rap here in the US by those that are ignorant and vocal.

The complaint came from SA, no???

Yes

Edited October 5, 2008 by morocco4ever

[Peikko 1,575]

I find it interesting that the government who instituted apartheid and created separated townships based on the degree of a person's "blackness" is banning a comedy act because it's offensive...

Why? Are you suggesting that the SA of today is in any way similar to the SA of apartheid? I don't think I get your meaning on this one. It may well be that in fact in SA they are overly sensitive to percieved offences against minorities because of their heritage. In truth I am not really sure that banning one advert (not the comedian or his act) tells us anything one way or another.

[IAMX 3,055]

I find it interesting that the government who instituted apartheid and created separated townships based on the degree of a person's "blackness" is banning a comedy act because it's offensive...

Why? Are you suggesting that the SA of today is in any way similar to the SA of apartheid? I don't think I get your meaning on this one. It may well be that in fact in SA they are overly sensitive to percieved offences against minorities because of their heritage. In truth I am not really sure that banning one advert (not the comedian or his act) tells us anything one way or another.

[jundp 191]

I find it interesting that the government who instituted apartheid and created separated townships based on the degree of a person's "blackness" is banning a comedy act because it's offensive...

Why? Are you suggesting that the SA of today is in any way similar to the SA of apartheid? I don't think I get your meaning on this one. It may well be that in fact in SA they are overly sensitive to percieved offences against minorities because of their heritage. In truth I am not really sure that banning one advert (not the comedian or his act) tells us anything one way or another.

The SA of today has not completely eradicated the leftovers of apartheid thinking. In fact the townships of pre-1990 SA still exist in many areas (Cape Town for one) because of generations of people who have inhabited them. Change isn't easy.

I do think they are going the opposite direction and that perhaps people are over-sensitive in SA because of its past. In much the same way that many many Germans are super-sensitive to anything that many appear to be too nationalistic.

There was no secret meaning behind my comment. I _do_ find it interesting. I also have an understanding and knowledge about SA and apartheid, both historically and currently, as it was one of my areas of study.

[Peikko 1,575]

I didn't think there was a 'secret' meaning, I just didn't get what you did mean.

I am no expert on SA pre or post arpartheid but I can appreciate what you are saying and I am sure that post apartheid SA hasn't completely forgotten its past and can react in unexpected ways due to percieved slights that may not be there.

However, I am still cautious to ascribe anything much to this decision to ban this particular advert (as I understand it anyway) as I still feel that a 30-60 second commercial cannot adequately convey the 'comedy' of this particular act and to expect everyone to be aware of the antics of a US comedian is a stretch. However, if they proceed to ban the comedian from performing in SA, that might be cause to question what is going on.