TODAY is “Everybody Draw Mohammad Day” – but the Pakistani authorities are having none of it, and have BANNED Facebook which is hosting the event.
The social networking site was blocked yesterday “until further notice” in response to public outrage over the “draw Mo” competition.
The motivation behind the contest is explained in this video:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApmnezyPSMc[/youtube]
The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority, which controls internet access, directed service providers to block the website in compliance with a high court order obtained by a group of lawyers on Tuesday.
The “Draw Mo” Facebook group has attracted over 50,000 members and lists links to the pages of prominent critics of Islam such as the right-wing Dutch politician Geert Wilders and the Somali feminist Ayaan Hirsi Ali.
Fans have submitted hundreds of cartoons, drawings and Photoshopped images.
According to this report, whatever its goals, the site’s principal achievement may be to inflame Muslim opinion further. Many of the images submitted depict the “prophet” in a variety of unflattering poses and situations likely to offend even moderate Muslims. In one, a bearded face is superimposed over a bikini-clad body.
Others have a distinctly political tinge, such as a stereotypical photos of Islamist protests or images of an airliner smashing into the World Trade Centre under the slogan “Islam: a religion of peace.”
Anger over the site is focused in Pakistan, where it has been the subject of outraged media reports but as yet no street protests. In 2006, similar cartoons of Muhammad published in a Danish newspaper sparked deadly riots that left more than 50 people dead across the Muslim world, five of them in Pakistan.
In Lahore, a prominent Islamist student group with links to the country’s largest religious party, Jamaat-e-Islami, distributed leaflets calling for a boycott of Facebook. They say:
The West is conspiring against the honour of the prophet and of Muslims. The real purpose of freedom of speech is to provoke the sentiments of Muslims.
Shakir Husain of Creative Chaos, an internet company based in Karachi, said the ban was unlikely to succeed because it could be easily circumvented through the use of proxy servers.
By banning this web page, it will just make people more curious. It’s pouring petrol on a small fire that could become a lot bigger. You can’t police the internet. The Saudis have tried it, as have other governments, and all have failed. It’s a waste of state money.
The row over the Facebook group comes after a recent skit on the US comedy cartoon show South Park that depicted the prophet Mohammad, prompting some criticism in Pakistan.
There was some speculation that the suspected Times Square bomber Faisal Shahzad tried to explode his vehicle near the headquarters of Viacom, which owns Comedy Central.
This is not the first time the Pakistan government has censored the internet. A variety of sites are already blocked including those of Sindhi and Baloch nationalists and members of the Ahmedi religious sect, which has suffered decades of discrimination.
A video showing Pakistani soldiers beating civilians in the Swat Valley is also unavailable in Pakistan. Pornography, however, is widely available. According to Google, the mostly widely searched word in Pakistan is “sex”, followed by “education”. Pakistan has about 20 million internet users in a population of 170 million people.
UPDATE: Here’s today’s Jesus and Mo joining in the fun:
The Freethinker was founded in 1881 by GW Foote, an outspoken critic of religion. After the publication of 
May 20th, 2010 at 7:51 am
What a bunch of whiny asshats.
May 20th, 2010 at 8:20 am
shame on all the people who are taking part. They are no different from terrorists and extremists. JUST SHAME ON U ALL
May 20th, 2010 at 8:22 am
We still respect ur feelings. If it can give u pleasure. Go ahead. We muslims are not like u. We believe in freedom. Just look at urselves. DO what u want to do… We are tolerant and we are civilized… Not like you ppl
May 20th, 2010 at 8:40 am
The real purpose of freedom of speech is to provoke the sentiments of Muslims.
I shall be laughing at that one all day!
May 20th, 2010 at 9:20 am
This ban is exactly what we expect from muslim dominated countries and I’m sure others will follow; can’t have their poor little feelings hurt can they. Some of the comments about the cartoons on face book are the usual brainless “we’ll kill you” type from the religion of peace members.
In the interest of fairness there should be a draw a jebus etc day in a show of strength against all religions.
Do I smell troll?
May 20th, 2010 at 9:22 am
Hey, belal – “We muslims are not like u. We believe in freedom.”
Really? I love the freedom you give your women. Hypocrite.
May 20th, 2010 at 9:26 am
Mohammedans only believe in people’s freedom to follow the Muslim faith, Marcus!!
May 20th, 2010 at 9:32 am
Sorry, barriejohn!!!!!!! I was forgetting.
May 20th, 2010 at 10:25 am
i don’t like the idea of drawing mohamed JUST to inflame muslim opinion and to upset them, however i DO believe that we have the right to draw him, make fun of him, caricature him, pour scorn on his religion, pick holes in his philosophy, etc. and if that is hurtful to muslims, well, tough shit!
May 20th, 2010 at 10:29 am
I wonder if belal got her clitoris cut off as a ten year old. I wonder if she was given in marriage by her family. I wonder if she will die by the hand of her family for honor if she really does meet someone she loves. I wonder if she had a chance at a secular education.
I wonder most if belal is BDuke’s sock puppet to stir up conversation. Her appearance, like Becky’s, is rather convenient. Like the religious world is watching this site for an opportunity to chime in?
That video was inspiring, and being an artist, I wished I had a finished work to submit. One idea would be Muhammed sucking a pig’s dick, and the dialog bubble would point to the pig and say, “I know I can trust you not to bite”.
NeoWolfe1
May 20th, 2010 at 10:44 am
Anything that draws attention to this pathetic religion and, in doing so, ridicules it, can only be good. So the muzzies are offended? What’s new?
May 20th, 2010 at 11:05 am
NeoWolfe, Belal may be a puppet, but she’s not one of mine. I don’t post cod comments to stimulate debate. Humpff. The very thought!
May 20th, 2010 at 11:52 am
Having the time of my life on Facebook, Draw Mohammed Day is a great succes. Of course sent my own artwork
The speed of new uploads is fenomenal, predictably in part because of angry comments by the obedient to the dusty books.
May 20th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
Personally, I feel kind of sorry for the goat. And for belal because your posts show you’re getting fucked in the arse by mo just as much as the goat is.
May 20th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
I think they have deleted the group… “long live the intolerance”.
I hate all religions, but islam is really pushing my nerves with censorship; I mean, I was censored by christians, but islam is taking the cake here!
May 20th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
14.00 update: Draw Mohammed Day page is taken offline by spineless FB. Glad I saved many pics
May 20th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Holland:
I think its time you started to spread those pics
Let’s face it, everytime a muslim tries to shut up criticism it gets worse lol
May 20th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
http://www.jesusandmo.net/2010/05/20/phew/
jesusandmo have added their twopenneth.
May 20th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
New Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/.....2401315688
May 20th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
Blimey – here’s a first for you. Bob Hutton has actually published my comment on his despicable post about Ronnie James Dio’s death. Will miracles never cease!
http://bobhutton1.blogspot.com.....james.html
May 20th, 2010 at 2:42 pm
all u ppl filthy ppl! u r jst filthy at heart and minds. we love our prophet more than our selves. what ever u say or day u cant over come the muslim nation!! this all ur fear from muslims that u are doing such kinda disgusting stuff. and shit minds like u guys do that n the founder of this competition is a sick guy i must say and he for sure will burn in hell 4ever INSHALLAH! and you’ll all get it soon. just wait and watch u filthy souls( disbelievers)!!!
May 20th, 2010 at 2:49 pm
love mohammed n will always love him, whatever these disbelievers try to do. this is there grudge for muslims. but what ever they try they cant damage our loved prophet’s image. he was a perfect man like no other and thats what we muslims strongly believe in n will laways believe. NO1 can change how hard he tries. love MOHAMMED,love MOHAMMED,love MOHAMMED. OH ALLAH SHOW THESE STUPID PPL THE RIGHT PATH!!!
May 20th, 2010 at 3:30 pm
Why don’t these morons get the picture? If you want to believe in god or whatever, fine. EDMD is not about racial hatred, period. What it is about is freedom of expression. Do we censor images of burning flags or anything else not related to government secrets? Hell no! We allow you to have your say, but we reserve the right to make fun of it.
May 20th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
It’s nice to see yet more love and affection from the religion of peace
May 20th, 2010 at 3:48 pm
Yeah, you can scream and shout all you like but over here it’s known as free speech. Which is why your infantile protests aren’t censored. Here, have a bacon sandwich, you’ll like it, it’s got the face of holy mo on the bacon rind.
May 20th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
Here is a tribute ot Mohammed’s legacy http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.....iling.html
May 20th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
I had a cartoon of mo and jesus topgether, but they are…well… not “nice”…
in other words, I ate a biiiiggg bbq of pork the other day, and went to the toilet
… and then; Well, you have the idea of mo and jesus, all crawled up together.
May 20th, 2010 at 4:41 pm
I’m sorry I missed the start of this. Shouldn’t anyone making death threats be reported to the police? I’ve got an electronic tag and a control order right here. Bunch of seething loonies with beards and bombs.
http://www.jewishworldreview.c.....islam2.jpg
Didn’t mean it really, cuddly muzzies. Here let me buy you breakfast:
http://www.eatbees.com/blog/images/raghead.jpg
May 20th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
Yes, Marcus, but the fuckwit only allowed you in so that he could repeat his tiresome mantra: “You MUST repent and accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour or face eternal Hellfire.” Ignorant cunt!
May 20th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
@ Don’t these cringing, whining defenders of their prophet realise that if he is so great he would scarcely need semi-literate goons like them to defend him. Nutters!
May 20th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
@proud to be a muslim. Why? Give some reasons. I am proud to be an atheist because I am free, I can think what I choose, read what I choose an and I don’t revere anyone just because some clown of a mullah or whatever tells me.
I pity you, you poor, sad, silly, demented muslim. Mature, grow up, experience the fresh air of freedom and escape the stench of your suffocating, superstitious claptrap.
May 20th, 2010 at 6:03 pm
@ Proud to be a Muslim & I love mohammed (who happen to be one and the the same person): We get the picture. But please, could you and your fellow Muslims love Mohammed a little less noisily and a LOT less violently. We’ll all get along a lot better if you do.
May 20th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
@Proud to be a muslim – isn’t that an oxymoron?
May 20th, 2010 at 6:38 pm
Ive heard a rumour they’re gonna attack the Costa Blanca first.
just sayin Barry….
May 20th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
I have found a picture of what Mohammed might really have loooked like.
http://psychosec.files.wordpre.....litter.jpg
May 20th, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Not sure I like that pic Alan. It’s been said that I bear a remarkable similarity to that notorious kiddy-fiddler.
May 20th, 2010 at 9:20 pm
shame on all the people who are taking part. They are no different from terrorists and extremists. JUST SHAME ON U ALL
Terrorists and extremists don’t draw pictures. Terrorists and extremists kill people for drawing pictures. Learn the difference, dearie.
May 20th, 2010 at 10:29 pm
@ Barry Duke you seriouly think you look like Mohammed
May 21st, 2010 at 12:38 am
BDuke, I did not make an accusation, I said “I wonder”. The reason why I wonder is because, to me, it defies motive for these marginal characters to be monitoring this site for content.
I’ve had lots of debates with fundies online, but, they usually have some psuedo-intelectual point. These weirdos seem to know some blogger abbreviations, yet can’t seem to put together a coherent sentence in English. Yet, true to the fundie form, they pray for us in one clause and threaten us with hell in the next.
A muslim’s dying thought: “Where the fuck did my virgins go?”
NeoWolfe
May 21st, 2010 at 7:01 am
By the way you can draw Mo in ASCII:
@:(OO=
May 21st, 2010 at 9:32 am
I see the muzzies have set up their own facebook page to whinge.
http://www.facebook.com/group......8089266..1
May 21st, 2010 at 8:30 pm
damn, too late to have fun with the goatfuckers! Ggrrrr………
May 22nd, 2010 at 2:30 am
Angela K,
I read that site, and sent them an email as follows:
You quoted:
” When u attack religion they call hate speech. Bt when u attack the Prophet (s.a.w) they call it freedom of speech!”
I’m wondering what you call it when they slice off your clitoris? I wonder what you call it when your family decides who you should marry. What did you call it when the twin towers collapsed? What will you call it when your family discovers you’re gay and puts you to death? What do you call it when 8 out of 10 homicides in Palestine are honor killings?
I think I know what I would call it, cavemen demanding their right to be criminally insane. The liberals have been very tolerant with your broad spectrum of practice, but, as the sign waving rioters call for beheadings, you must know that the head of the pimple is about to pop. You whine about how many muslims we have killed, but, we’d have to go into genocidal overdrive to catch up with how many that muslims have killed of each other. Sunnis and Shiites, all over who was the true descendant of the priesthood. Laughable.
I imagine this won’t make your website, so let me finish with, “Fuck Allah, Fuck Muhammed, and Fuck you.”
NeoWolfe