South Africa's ASA bans 'Terrorist'

Group nixes GloMobile TV featuring 'Ahmed'

By CHRISTELLE DE JAGER

South African authorities are hanging up on comedian-ventriloquist Jeff Dunham's "Ahmed the Dead Terrorist."

The Advertising Standards Authority has banned a GloMobile TV ad for ringtones featuring the popular puppet and its "Silence! I kill you!" line, which has had people around the world rolling with laughter.

Move follows a complaint that the ad "mocked" Islam and created the impression that all Muslims were terrorists who would kill to get people to be quiet.

"The name Ahmed appears to be of Arab origin and is one of the names of the Islamic prophet Muhammad," said the ASA. "To associate this divine inspiration to a terrorist is offensive to the people who believe in him."