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.
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.
"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)
|
More from UAE General
More from UAE
Latest news
- Parents shattered as both kids die within hours
- Readers’ support for Adel, Gaganlal
- Syrian woman appeals for help
- Indian adoptions at standstill
- Dog thieves caught on camera in Dubai
- Father grieves for daughters killed by pesticide
- Loan shark holds nurse’s family to ransom
- Concern over depression among school kids
- Curl up in style : More sleeping pods in AUH
- Crew of abandoned ship stranded in Khor Fakkan
- Indian man enters UAE on his namesake’s passport
- Miracle baby celebrates first birthday
- Ten dumbest excuses given for a crime
- Click and your Facebook will be hacked
- Breaking the law
Community Reports
-
Breaking the law
Reader points out that cyclists break the rules and are inconsiderate of other road users.
-
Good deed marks first anniversary
Serve the Heroes group provides refreshments to construction workers to mark first anniversary
-
Spitting in public is as bad as vandalism
Habit damages public property while also being a health hazard
-
Noise pollution haunts Abu Dhabi residents
COMMUNITY REPORT Inconsiderate motorists turn Khalifa Bin Zayed Street into a parking nightmare