UK & World News
- 21 September 2012, 9:20
Obama TV Ad Aims To Calm Prophet Protests
The United States has paid for adverts on Pakistani television which show President Obama and Hillary Clinton denouncing an anti-Muslim film.
The government has spent $70,000 (£43,000) for airtime on seven channels as it tries to stem outrage over the American-made movie.
Protests surrounding the film have led to 30 deaths in at least 20 countries, including one attack in which the US ambassador to Libya was killed.
In Pakistan, thousands of protesters clashed with police in the capital, Islamabad, near a diplomatic enclave.
The chaotic scenes on Thursday left at least 50 people injured.
The 30-second advert shows clips of Mr Obama and his Secretary of State during speeches made after the violence flared last week.
Mr Obama is shown saying: "Since our founding the United States has been a nation that respects all faiths. We reject all efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others."
Mrs Clinton then says: "Let me state very clearly, the United States has absolutely nothing to do with this video. We absolutely reject its contents. America's commitment to religious tolerance goes back to the very beginning of our nation."
The advert, translated into Urdu, includes an image of the US seal "to make clear it's official", the US State Department said.
The advert is expected to reach an audience of 90 million Pakistanis. Some of the country's stations have carried it free of charge.
The film that sparked the protests, called Innocence of Muslims, is believed to have been made by extremist Christians.
jimmyjedi1979
6:48am on 21/9/2012
But they have made far more money by pissing our muslin brethren off even further. As if killing their women and babies in the millions wasn't enough. They keep the unrest at its maximum to destabilize the region which in turn gives them the military leverage they desire. 'look at these nutters, they must be stopped' its sickening that the herd mentality we have in this country buys this tripe. Oh but wait obama made a video- give yourselves shake people. Its all part of the game.
James Henderson
8:04am on 21/9/2012
I think your the one that has mental issues. Islam has multi million followers who have herd mentality and are not tolerant. If you do not practice their religion or have issues with it then they attack you and not just verbally. Islam is not a peaceful religion just look at recent events never mind the previous mindless killings even of their own between different sects of islam
david conway
9:02am on 21/9/2012
Why not judge a religion by how sacred it treats life. I do not understand Islam so I would not dare to judge it but I will judge it's fanatical murderous followers. If Islam is good it needs to publicly disassociate itself from this evil. Surely it's peaceful followers deserve and demand this.
Tricky One
9:39am on 21/9/2012
You're making some interesting valid points here Jimmy. Shame you laden your post with derogatory patronising comments towards those who you're trying to speak to. It's as if you want everyone to disagree with you..?