Saudi Arabia threatens to ban YouTube over anti-Islam film
"Saudi Arabia's Communications and Information Technology Commission has ordered host companies in the kingdom to block this movie from internet users and has also requested Google to block all YouTube links carrying the film," SPA reported.
"If this request is not met, the commission will block YouTube altogether," SPA said, also quoting the Saudi telecoms as urging citizens to report any links through which the film can be viewed.
The low-budget film "Innocence of Muslims," incited a wave of bloody anti-American violence in cities across the Muslim world which targeted symbols of US influence ranging from embassies and schools to fast food chains.
At least 30 people have died so far in unrest connected to the film in over 20 countries.
Among those killed were the US ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, and three other Americans in an attack last week on the US consulate in the eastern city of Benghazi.
Saudi Arabia, home to Islam's holiest religious sites, on Thursday condemned the American film but also denounced the deadly attacks in reaction to it.
Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sudan and Bangladesh have blocked access to YouTube after the video-sharing website failed to take down the initially obscure film, believed to have been produced by a small group of extremist Christians in the United States.
The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Yemen have ordered blocking access to all websites carrying the video.
Google has denied access to the videos in Malaysia, Indonesia, Libya, Egypt and India.
The Russian communications minister on Tuesday warned that his country could follow suit.
"It sounds like a joke, but because of this video... all of YouTube could be blocked throughout Russia," minister Nikolai Nikiforov wrote on Twitter, about the anti-Islam film.
"If there is a court decision and YouTube does not take off the video, then access will be limited."
COMMENTS (10)
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For US government and people, they should have differ between freedom and hatred. The movie is really really clearly hatred and insulted to Muslims Prophet. Even if that movie wouldn't have been about a Prophet, even if it was about Jesus Christ PBUH or non-Muslim person it is still unacceptable. We as Muslims don't insult any Divine religion or Prophet but on the contrary, we love and respect them. We have to do so to be faithful Muslim.
For Muslims, I agree that it is an annoying, insult movie for Prophet PBUH and for us, but some of our reactions help the movie maker to achieve most of his aims. We are just like to invite the whole World even our children to watch it. But if we ignored him, few people would have heard and watched about the movie. We must remember that killing or violence aren't of the Muslim manners even if he was angry of something, just like Prophet PBUH said: "The strong one is not the one who can wrestle others, rather it is the one who can control himself when angry.". Someday the World will know the great Truth about Prophet of Mercy PBUH.
@M.Ahmer Ali: You are the greatest hypocrite I have come across on this site. You belittle other religions in your comments elsewhere and talk of religious harmony here. Who are you trying to fool?
While many countries have already banned Youtube in their countries including that of Afghanistan - this Arab dictatorship is only thinking of doing it - I think the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is involved in insulting our prophet by demolishing the historical places in the kingdom that are related to prophet Mohammad PBUH - this is why insult by others do not disturb them.
The banning of the social websites is not the permanent solution of the negative and blasphemous activities against Islam,the sacred Islamic personalities and the muslims.Now there must be taken solid and stern actions/measures/steps on top priority basis as soon as possible to stop such these types of blasphemous activities in the future from happening by the non-muslims although not the majority of non-muslims mostly against Islam and sacred Islamic personalities....... Blocking the social websites is a temporary and for the time being solution......At least now the whole Islamic world must be reunited to remove/stop the conspiracies against Islam and the Islamic world in any forms and manifestations.......
This video is a trash we shouldn't waste our time on it. We don't fight with no one. Islam is peace not fight. The best solution is to ban this trash film.
Why not ban export of OIL rather than simply banning a website? That should be more effective in getting the message across rather than shutting down a single website amongst billion others..
The Russia doesn't have to disturb other countries or to let trouble makers keep countinue as their wishes such as anti- islam filmmaker.
There's another world superpower China, not looking for trouble against others but Russia is heading to. If you want with US do it face to face.