UAE | General

TRA bans offensive Facebook page in UAE

The creator of the 'God and Prophets' Site' claims to be a god, official says

By Abdulla Rasheed, Abu Dhabi Editor
Published: 00:00 March 16, 2010

Image Credit: Supplied
A screenshot of the offensive webpage.

Abu Dhabi: The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) instructed all internet service providers in the UAE to block a specific site on Facebook that is insulting to God, the prophets and Islam.

"TRA received numerous calls and complaints from internet users expressing their anger against unidentified people who created a site on Facebook that is offending to God, prophets, messengers, the Holy Quran and even to all God's books," said Mohammad Al Ganem, TRA General Manager.

"The creator of this site which he named ‘God and Prophets' Site', attributes divinity to himself and spreads distorted writing pretending they are verses from the Quran. He also declared writing a new book falsifying himself as a god. He spreads talk that is insulting to the prophets and to their holy stature. This is considered to be a felony according to the federal law."

He called on internet users to be cautious and to report offences. "[The] internet is too vast to be controlled daily. There are unethical racists everywhere who do not recognise or honour religions or values. They intentionally spread what destroys the country's symbols and values, and we should not spare any effort to combat them fiercely," said Al Ganem.

Yesterday, a group of internet surfers launched a campaign asking people to boycott Facebook starting from March 20 if Facebook administrators did not block this site immediately.

The group is especially calling for Muslims and Christians to take part in this action pushing for the blocking of this site as they did previously in a similar situation.

Ahmad Bin Ali, etisalat's Vice-President of Corporate Communications, said, "Once we receive the instructions from TRA, we will order the operators to block this offensive webpage."

Have your say
Do social networking websites need to be strictly monitored? What can be done to stop people from misusing such websites? Tell us.

Comments (27)

Added 15:13 March 16, 2010

NOT a smart move at all. By doing this u are giving importance to this. we All know God doesn't have a facebook account. This block and website means nothing to a believer.

Dany Mrad, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 15:12 March 16, 2010

I agree with with Aisha. this has to be blocked every where .And aprreciate TRA for taking timely efforts on such unethical issues.

Ghais Al Deen bin Haji, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Added 14:56 March 16, 2010

Agree with Mr. Mansur......good movement

Yameen Khan, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 14:45 March 16, 2010

I really appreciate TRA for very sensitive issue.Please block immediately.

Ash, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 13:41 March 16, 2010

The 'Page' section on Facebook has certain rules and regulations which have to be followed in order for a Page to be accepted. The page in question is clearly violating those rules and legally Facebook needs to take that page off.

Anthony Permal, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 13:36 March 16, 2010

There are many other pages on facebook which are offensive to Islam and also other religions. Hope some actoin is taken to block those pages as well

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 13:36 March 16, 2010

Facebook should not be blocked my family and freinds are connected who are far away from my place. If young generation peolpe get spoiled then their parents please control them as u will be responsible. facebook is used by all age group people. Its surprising people saying young generatyion get spoiled where as parent give them mobile laptops and say don call don chat don surf. Such groups or blogs should be blocked who do bad things against god or anything vulgar in society.

Sajjad Tonse Shaikh, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 13:03 March 16, 2010

I really appreciate TRA for being very sensitive for This issues and taking actions to Block this site.

Anonymous, Mangalore, India

Added 12:47 March 16, 2010

Face Book is spoiling the young generation,and its real waste of time becuse I see nowadys children they from school and directly go for the facebook..its a real waste on time and on top of that we dont gain any kind of knowledge or no kind of IQ games are there,by which we can say its worth to have facebook account.I strongly recommend to Block "Face Book"

Abdullah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 12:27 March 16, 2010

For someone creating problemsI dont think you will have to ban facebook in UAE,as its not all who misuse it, its a cahnnel to find our old pals. So Please think twice.

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates