Achmed puppet 'offends Muslims'

Following a complaint, regulators banned the clip of American ventriloquist Jeff Dunham with his puppet Achmed the Dead Terrorist yelling his catchphrase: ‘Silence! I Kill You!’

The act has become an internet hit, with the clip, below, having been viewed more than 67 million times.

But when it featured in a commercial for GloMobile ringtones, South Africa's Advertising Standards Authority was asked to intervene.

The watchdog agreed , ruling: ‘The name Ahmed appears to be of Arab origin and is one of the names of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. To associate this divine inspiration to a terrorist is offensive to the people who believe in him.’

But Dunham was furious with the decision, telling Fox News: ‘Achmed makes it clear in my act that he is not Muslim, so I'm sorry the gentleman [who complained] didn't see my entire show.’

‘I've skewered whites, blacks, Hispanics, Christians, Jews, Muslims, gays, straights, rednecks, addicts, the elderly, and my wife. As a stand-up comic, it is my job to make the majority of people laugh, and I believe that comedy is the last true form of free speech.’

Published: 9 Oct 2008