It’s heating up all over the Islamic World these days regarding to an offending short film called “Innocence of Muslims“ that mocked the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.).
The low-budget film has been produced and hosted recently on YouTube in the name of “freedom of speech”.
Activists called on 1-month boycott of Google and all its services hoping they can cause a huge revenue loss to Google, and hoping that Google shares the would see a decline.
Organizers said they:
” expect that Google will lose about $210 million in revenues if Internet users in the Arab world boycott its search engine and that its stock price will drop.” (Source)
It looks like there is a big respond -from what I see- on Facebook and especially Twitter: #BoycottGoogle, however there is also people who do not agree with the boycott and describe it as a waste of time. (I personally agree with the second group).
Google and YouTube Boycott
Google and YouTube Boycott started yesterday September 24th and will ends today 25th, 2012, and the main reason is that Google refused to the request of removing the anti-Islam film, which proof the YouTube double-standard community guidelines.
Google should also know that the end date to this double-standard has just been defined and therefore compliance is a most for Google and its services to continue to exist as a reputable and responsible business! (Source)
I personally (disliked and reported) the film because I think that it tells 99.99% lies, and I couldn’t agree more with Hillary Clinton when she described it as a disgusting film.
Google’s respond to the boycott
In response to the boycott, a Google spokesperson told Al Arabiya English on Monday:
“We believe in everyone’s right to express themselves freely, but at the same time, we know that users are aware of the role Google plays giving them universal access to information.” (Source)
Interesting results in Google Stock
The really interesting thing is that Google stock hits all-time high yesterday, and it’s still going even higher today:
It seems that Google received an unexpected huge benefit from the boycott campaign!
Internet Usage in the Middle East
The explanation for this is Internet Users across the Arab countries are around 3.3% of the World Internet Users according to InternetWorldStats.com:
The number of boycotters could stretch across the entire Muslim world however, with Muslims in Western and Asian countries also taking part, according to social media users angered by the film. Arabs and Muslims account for about 8 percent of internet users in the world. (ICT industry expert who spoke to the Jordan Times).
Perhaps putting a dampener on the boycott, the analyst forecasted that the planned move “will not have an impact on Google,” adding that less than 0.5 percent of Google’s profits are generated from the Arab and Muslim world.
The Question is…
Well.. actually I have more than one question…
Why you care for a stupid low-budget film that won’t change any fact?
Why would you cut a valuable source of information while you actually need it?
Why don’t you try to find other solutions rather than the boycott that doesn’t work?
Anwar Hussain October 11, 2012 at 12:56 pm
if google continues hosting such anti-religion videos, it must be boycott from all country………….
Thomas October 1, 2012 at 5:20 am
Well this topic is a confusing one. I cannot blame either of the two. Youtube and the short film that was uploaded could not be a wrong idea as everyone has their own freedom to do things. However, if it hurts the sentiments of a particular community or religion that is again wrong.
Jacko September 29, 2012 at 12:02 pm
Maybe they don’t like Al Gores claim that he invented the internet?
I think people should really think about why these nations are opting out. Its sad that the mentality in the US is to control everyone everywhere maybe this is why they unplugged?
Jacko recently posted..3 ways to get over 6000 views on a brand new YouTube Channel
Gautam September 27, 2012 at 5:13 am
Hmm….Google benefitted a lot from The Boycott,……..lets see what happens next….i think something is relly going to happen….
Deny Saputra September 26, 2012 at 6:11 am
You did a controversial post Hesham!
Emm….
Why you care for a stupid low-budget film that won’t change any fact? – that could change the world a more sinister.
Why would you cut a valuable source of information while you actually need it? – emm I think the Arabs are confident enough to live without any information or anything from Google or YouTube at all.
Why don’t you try to find other solutions rather than the boycott that doesn’t work? – I think there’s no other solution as long as there are other “religions abusive” video. I’m not sure whether certain religions do not get furious if their religion abused.
I don’t mean favoring one group, I like the freedom of expression, but I think it would be better without offensive to the other groups.
Religion is the most sensitive case I think,.and could be the most horrible curse.
Mike Thomas September 26, 2012 at 5:57 am
The video is ignorant and insensitive, but it’s no reason to kill anyone. The ironic thing is I never would have known about the movie or watched it if there hadn’t been so much of a protest against it. The outrage has caused it to spread more. It goes to show you that turning the other cheek can be the best way to deal with these disrespectful displays of ignorance.
My apologies to my Muslim friends, but let’s move on and forget about the obviously moronic people who made this video.
Anton Koekemoer September 26, 2012 at 5:30 am
Hi Hesham,
Great post – Thanks for the newsworthy update. I found the internet usage pie chart quite interesting. Never would have thought the internet usage is that low in the Middle east.
Aditya September 26, 2012 at 3:15 am
Hi Hesham,
This post is pretty much unique in its own ways.Although i haven’t seen the movie promos yet.But personally i think hurting the feelings of a religion is the injustice to our own religion.Although i am damn sure that Google hasn’t stopped their services to the middle east countries.But i if i am wrong please let me know.
Abhik September 26, 2012 at 1:33 am
I haven’t watched the video as its already banned in India, but I heard a lot about it.
Someone somewhere made a film and people are dying over that. Not good.
Fran September 25, 2012 at 6:13 pm
Liked reading your article and also the comment by Mohamed Osam. Thanks for taking the step and writing about Google’s reaction and Google’s stock.
Bradley Keyon September 25, 2012 at 3:33 pm
I think, it’s not fair to harass to others religion. It’s a great sin. So, if they boycott these, then it’s not a wrong step.
Mohamed Osam September 25, 2012 at 12:16 pm
I think the point of “double-standard” is the key issue here. Not only that, when any video is marked offensive, as per to Google terms of service, this video is supposed to be blocked, but rather, Google insisted of not blocking the video (except in certain countries only). So, to me, that particular video was not part of a “freedom of speech” as much as “hate speech”. Will Google treat another video the same had this video been mocking Jews for example? Or will that be considered “antisemitism”? I don’t know, you tell me!
Having said that, there quite a few movies and TV shows that mock religion or prophets from time to time and people who buy into that watch those and people who don’t, tune away. Take South Park as an example!
All this aside, from the Muslims side, if you really think that this is the only video or general materials that’s insulting the prophet Muhammad, then think again! There are tons of material on the Internet, publications, TV, etc. out there mocking or disgracing Jesus, Moses, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, or any other religion or belief system for that matter. There are tons of active anti-Muslim Facebook groups today, yet the boycott was mostly called out through Social Media outlets and in particular Facebook. Why didn’t Muslim contest these groups?!
The matter of the fact is, if you want to say something, go ahead show your true colors and say it! Yes, I personally get offended, but won’t pay much attention to it, why? Because to me, mocking any belief system doesn’t take out from that belief system rather takes out from the mockers themselves. The proof is clear in the history of the messengers. Jesus, Muhammad, Ibrahim, Noah, Moses, etc. as an example, they all been called worse .. happened at their time and on their faces, they heard it, but preferred to ignore it and preferred to just focus on their mission. Look at the messengers today and to the mockers! Who do you think prevailed?
Mohamed Osam recently posted..When Fanaticism Collide with Freedom of Speech
Felix Albutra September 25, 2012 at 7:56 pm
You have the point brother. I saw many videos related to Anti-Christ and Anti-Islam but instead of focusing what both sides are bombarding each other, I just don’t take them seriously as both sides who does offending other religious beliefs are NOT following what the Bible and Qur’an have taught.
Thanks for sharing your comment. I agree 100% there. God Bless.
- Felix
Salah Messaoud September 25, 2012 at 11:58 am
Very interesting Hesham, but the question is “Are they able to do it?” because you know the importance of Google and YouTube in our daily tasks. Myself I do researches for my work, I look for tutorials for my training, I am wondering how many person did boycott Google and YouTube, maybe the result of this boycott will show up later. Next question is it possible that Google will lose $210 million in revenue if the internet users in the Arab world just 3.3 %. Personally I wouldn’t call it freedom of expression film, it is a hate film trying to make deface the Islamic religion.
Salah Messaoud recently posted..Internet Marketing And Blogging Merge Victoriously
Hesham Zebida September 25, 2012 at 12:18 pm
Well.. you know what people do in these cases, some are serious, others take it for fun and making jokes, at the end of the day, you will find out that people just need to find any crises to follow, and forget about their real business!
Google Stock never reach this point before, why now?!
P.S. The line above answers your second question!
I think people who boycott Google and YouTube are not that much, I don’t know about Facebook, but you can check out these links from TweetReach and see the results by yourself:
http://tweetreach.com/reach?q=Boycott+Google
And if you would like .. here is another TweetReach with an Arabic Keyword.
P.S. To me.. I wouldn’t call it anything.. really!
areeb September 25, 2012 at 11:44 am
What will work ? no boycott , no protest ? What should muslims do ? You have to do something if they are disrespecting our prophet .