Citing Sacrilegious Content, Pakistan Bans YouTube

By Achal Narayanan
Religion News Service

CHENNAI, India (RNS) For the second time in two days, Pakistani officials have restricted access to a popular Internet site that it deems offensive to the country's majority Muslim population.

The government Thursday (May 20) blocked access to YouTube because of what it considers sacrilegious content on the video-sharing website. The country's Telecommunications Authority did not specify which YouTube videos prompted the move, citing only "growing sacrilegious contents."

On Wednesday, Pakistan had ordered Internet service providers to block access to Facebook because of a page that invited users to submit drawings of Prophet Muhammad, which is forbidden in traditional Islam.

In both cases, the government took action after it failed to persuade the websites to remove the "derogatory material" voluntarily, the agency said in a statement. It encouraged the two websites to contact the Pakistan government to resolve the dispute in a way that ensured "religious harmony and respect."

The government blocked Facebook after a group of Muslim lawyers won an order from the provincial High Court in Lahore requiring officials to restrict access to the site until May 31.

The Facebook page at the center of the dispute--"Everybody Draw Mohammed Day!"--asked users to post images of the prophet on May 20 to protest threats made by a U.S.-based Muslim group against the creators of "South Park" for depicting Muhammad in a bear suit during an episode earlier this year.

In Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi, some 2,000 female students rallied, demanding that Facebook be banned. Several dozen male students held a rally nearby, with some holding signs that urged an Islamic "holy war" against those who blaspheme Muhammad.

Comments

[Faiza Waseem]

03:47 PM on 06/30/2010

http://www.muslimsforpeace.org/

[TanMan]

05:40 PM on 06/13/2010

This must have something to do with the viral nature of the you tube videos. One showed Taliban brutally beating up a girl. Another video was from Lyari area in Karachi showing a cop beating the hell out of a woman. The government and the clergy want to control the information so their precious "land of the pure" doesn't get its true face exposed.

[gthnk]

09:58 AM on 05/23/2010

I love the fact Pakistan restricted the freedoms of mulsims, as it should be, when it comes to the content they come into contact with rather than having their population demand blood for ink.

Maybe this is the way to go moving forward, simply take the right to free speech away from Muslims, behead those who wander onto websites the imam's condemn and let the rest of the world enjoy the benefits of a free and open dialogue.

[AGreenInvestor]

06:46 AM on 05/22/2010

Banning the entire infrastructure because an application was offensive does not seem very rational.I am not sure whether the authorities asked Facebook to remove the particular page.Then the government banned YouTube followed by Twitter .The Witch Hunt seems to be going to ridiculous lengths with the ban on Blackberry.The way they are going they might ban communications in the entire country. A lot of closed societies in the Middle East ,China and other places place restrictions on the Internet but never go as far as to ban an entire Service.
http://greenworldinvestor.com

[TanMan]

06:19 PM on 06/13/2010

The green revolution in Iran has many Mullahs scared of the Internet.

[Tequilatarian]

04:18 AM on 05/22/2010

Have fun, people who are easily butthurt!

As long as there is an internet, people will make fun of your religious beliefs. Get used to it or get off the internet.

[MichaelSF]

10:34 PM on 05/21/2010

The powers-that-be in Pakistan are clearly scared stiff that the rabble will start watching "Mr. Diety" videos on YouTube, and then drop their religious beliefs (and the chains that go with them) like the proverbial hot potato.

Michael

[TanMan]

05:42 PM on 06/13/2010

Hahahaha....I love those videos, If mullahs discover them their shorts will get very twisted.

[Athena123]

02:05 PM on 05/21/2010

Yes, typical theocracy (which Pakistan is, in reality). Keep people stupid and uninformed, and hopefully they won't notice that they are being oppressed. I always find it funny when these religious leaders are so worried that people may be exposed to alternative ideas - they are obviously not very confident that their religious beliefs will hold up in the light of day.

[LintLass]

01:02 PM on 05/21/2010

Darnit! Now we're going to have to go back to analog sacrilege!

[amyhasopinions]

03:26 PM on 05/21/2010

LOL!

[StarDagger]

11:38 PM on 05/21/2010

Faved and Fanned

[Uncle Bob]

09:29 AM on 05/21/2010

well, at least they have their priorities straight. What be shocking is if they started blocking taliban websites.

[Enea]

09:04 AM on 05/21/2010

what's the matter fellas? Afraid your population might enter the 21st century?

Yes, let's block sources of information....allah likes her people to live as if it was the bronze age.

[SocBeat]

08:55 AM on 05/21/2010

Given the nature of the state of Pakistan, it would have been hypocritical not to ban these sites. False premises lead to dangerous conclusions.

[Etruscate]

08:51 AM on 05/21/2010

The extreme intolerance that Muslims have for western values is now fully apparent. Even moderate Muslims have rushed to the defense of the oppressive values of the fundamentalists.

[Luketer]

09:56 AM on 05/21/2010

western values ? I'm from India n I'm sure we r hated even more....

[IvanPomidorov]

07:24 PM on 05/21/2010

Not true

[sunshine14]

08:03 AM on 05/21/2010

Because, they are idols, that lead, encourage sin and division among their faith. St Paul said: beware of idols,are much warned over over again in the Holy Bible. We become slaves to idols, worship idols and they separate us from God. Examples golden calf? gold silver, worship of Baal are all idols said God, evil.

[LintLass]

01:05 PM on 05/21/2010

Making an idol of a book and then trying to destroy everything else..? These kinds of books are the biggest 'idols' of them all.

All the whining about 'idolatry' is dependent on believing what a book says to denigrate and dehumanize those who can handle a statue or something.

[knerd]

04:53 AM on 05/21/2010

Good. No more cute kitten videos for Pakistan!

[Blixa]

07:47 AM on 05/21/2010

Funny that you say that. Are you referring to "The Cute Cat Theory of Digital Activism"?

http://hangingaroundonthewrongsideoftheworld.wordpress.com/2009/06/18/the-cute-cat-theory-of-digital-activism/

[seeker 78]

01:59 AM on 05/21/2010

I am reminded of what is known as the Rotary Way which asks people to test all speech and actions on four criteria:

1. Is it the Truth?

2. Is it Fair to all concerned?

3. Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships?

4. Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?

I am using a Western model because Facebook is Western, to ask the initiators of this contest what they hope to achieve by this new insanity. What is the purpose? Is it beneficial for all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Is it fair to all concerned?

If not, then why do such a thing?

Isn’t there enough strife and bad feeling and ill will between people already? Isn’t there enough mutual hatred between Muslims and non-Muslims? Not all, but a large number. Is this hatred useful? Is it helping anyone?

Should we try to eliminate this hatred and bring about understanding based on facts? Or should we try to increase this hatred by indulging in more provocation?

Will some sense prevail? Or have we lost all sense and good judgment?

Mirza Yawar Baig

[BestGuest]

03:48 AM on 05/21/2010

Thank you

[Blixa]

05:54 AM on 05/21/2010

Do you also feel that I should refrain from eating shellfish, or pork, or beef, or onions, or garlic, around those who believe they are unclean or offensive? Should I keep separate plates for meat and dairy? Should I keep my head covered in order to not tempt religious folk? Should I shun dogs? Should I pretend that I don't care if people avoid blood transfusions, just for the sake of respecting religious belief? Should I accept shunning and disconnection that breaks up families?

These are religious indoctrinations, not civil rights, and blind indoctrination hurts people. Free speech is essential to keep ideas flowing and prevent oppression. It is a value I hold dear. As you see, there are many different religious values held, all around the world, and it's nobody's responsibility to honor all those rules in order to keep from offending.

[sunshine14]

08:25 AM on 05/21/2010

With God there is no such thing as free speech. God said One will be accountable for every word that rolls off their tongue, even ones very thoughts, as they thought it, so have they committed it. Words are very important, words can build for good and words can destroy, start wars even, divisions. Each will be held accountable for ones own words.

Every thing God created came from a thought first and said the word, and it was created. John Chapter 1: In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God.

God is not a foolish God and all he created has a purpose, our own conscience has a purpose, for it will bare witness against us on judgment day, for all truths will be known.