Hamas Mickey Mouse Teaches Jihad

[Ser Clegane]

I actually considered to just add it to the "News of the Weird" thread, but - although bizarre - this one lacks a certain light-hearted quality

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Hamas Mickey Mouse Teaches Jihad

A new black and white rodent has appeared on Palestinian television, and it's not the Mickey Mouse you're used to. This one teaches children about AK-47s and Jihad on behalf of the Islamist group Hamas.

The Jihad Mickey Mouse copy show children how to hold an AK-47.
If one were to choose the imaginary creature most responsible for the rise of the Disney empire, Mickey Mouse would have to be high on the list. Now, the Palestinian militants at Hamas are hoping the dancing and singing mouse will be able to do the same for Islamist holy war.

A children's show which airs each Friday on al-Aqsa television, a station run by Hamas and broadcasting in the Palestinian Territories, now employs a singing, squeaking, dancing mouse named Farfour to connect with young viewers. But despite having a name, which means "butterfly," Farfour is very clearly a Mickey Mouse rip-off. The only difference being that this rodent is doing his best to transform show viewers into automatic weapon-wielding Islamist Mouseketeers.

"The people firmly stand, singing this to you. ... Its answer is an AK-47. We who do not know fear, we are the predators of the forest," Farfour squeaks in one episode while miming the throwing of a grenade and the shooting of a rifle. In another, his mousey voice intones: "Oh Jerusalem we are coming. Oh Jerusalem, it is the time of death. Oh Jerusalem, we will never surrender to the enemy, and we will never be humiliated. It is beloved Palestine that taught us what to be. And taught us to be soldiers of the Lord."

The show, called "Tomorrow's Pioneers," is hosted by a little girl named Saraa -- wrapped tightly in a headscarf -- who does her part to indoctrinate her young viewers, saying in one episode that "I remind you that al-Aqsa and the prisoners are a responsibility on our shoulders, and Allah will ask us on Resurrection Day what we gave for their sake."


Israel has reacted strongly to the show. An Israeli group which monitors Palestinian television, Palestinian Media Watch, told the AP that the Mickey clone "takes every opportunity to indoctrinate young viewers with teachings of Islamic supremacy, hatred of Israel and the US, and support of 'resistance,' the Palestinian euphemism for terror."

An official in Prime Minister Olmert's office, David Baker, told the Associated Press: "There is nothing comic about inciting young generations of Palestinians to hate Israelis."

Aside from the dancing mouse, though, it's hard to imagine the show being particularly attractive to young viewers. Hostess Saraa certainly doesn't skimp on the political indoctrination, and the mouse frequently admonishes viewers to observe their religious duties, like praying five times a day, as a "cornerstone" for Islamic world domination.

Ironically, children who view "Tomorrow's Pioneers" will surely be able to rattle off the names of world leaders better than those who grew up with the real Mickey. "We will win, Bush!" Farfur squeaks at one point. "We will win, Condoleezza! We will win, Olmert! We will win Sharon!" Farfur pauses briefly after mentioning the former Israeli prime minister who has been in a coma for over a year. "Ah, Sharon is dead," he concludes.

cgh/ap

If it wasn't sad reality but appeared in a bizarre movie I would probably laugh about it...

Link

[Adrian II]

I actually considered to just add it to the "News of the Weird" thread, but - although bizarre - this one lacks a certain light-hearted quality.

What's next - Donald Duck extolling the virtues of capitalism?

[Don Corleone]

What's so sad about this? Hamas is a noble, selfless organization dedicated to non-violent solutions. Did I get the official statement right?

[Fragony]

Lol? This has to be a joke, or it is too beautiful in it's irony. They have adopted a Disney figure, pretty symbolic of the US I would say, and use that to teach about how vile and decadent the west is.

MUHA I like

[Gregoshi]

My thoughts exactly Fragony. Why such a obscure name like Farfour? Just call him "Mecca Mouse" and be done with the charade.

[R'as al Ghul]

Hamas, beware the wrath of the Disney™ corporation.
People have been extradited for less.

[Fragony]

Since we are in comicmode, gregoshi you are the undisputed master of the puniverse.

[Devastatin Dave]

I think we should have a thread titled "The best things to come out of the Islamic Faith" I wonder how many posts would that get with actually positve things about Islam, or actual POSITIVE FACTS about Islam or its founder. Could possibly be the world's shortest thread.

This doesn't surprise me. All "Mickey" is doing is teaching the children their faith like any other cartoon character used to teach the young their faith. Its like the Veggie Tales for Christians, except they don't preach blood thisty cruelty unlike this particular brand of "faith". I'm going to start a cartoon for the Jewish kids called Bergman the Bagel, I'll make a fortune!!!

[CrossLOPER]

What's next - Donald Duck extolling the virtues of capitalism?

A wolf and a hare, actually.

[Banquo's Ghost]

I think we should have a thread titled "The best things to come out of the Islamic Faith" I wonder how many posts would that get with actually positve things about Islam, or actual POSITIVE FACTS about Islam or its founder. Could possibly be the world's shortest thread.

Is it remotely possible to comprehend that the disturbed actions of an Islamic political group are not necessarily embraced by the whole of Islam? And if such a thread was posted, I imagine the learned scholars here would produce a remarkable number of positives brought to us from Islam.

It's like characterising all Christians by the actions of Fred Phelps - which I know happens, but is just as unfair.

[Don Corleone]

Well, Banquo, truth be told there's some difference between the Westboro Baptist Church and Hamas. With the Westboro Baptist Church, they are marginalized, and it is frequently true Christians that lead the charge against them. With Hamas, they've been elected by a majority vote of Palestinians and supported widely around the Muslim world.

Yes you are correct in that Hamas no more represents the religion of Islam any better than the Westboro Baptist Church represents the religion of Christianity. But the level of acceptance among the believers at large is fundamentally different.

[Ser Clegane]

What's next - Donald Duck extolling the virtues of capitalism?

I think most people are aware that comic-heros have been (ab)used to convey certain political messages (and there certainly has been quite a lot of fictional material - even for kids - were the "evil" communists, were on the receiving end).
However, I do not quite recall e.g., Grover running around trying to kill commies and/or joking about the death of Brezhnev in "Sesame Street".

(although Bert has been known for his foul moments)

[Ser Clegane]

But the level of acceptance among the believers at large is fundamentally different.

Last but not least due to the kind on indoctrination that is decribed in the article.

[Kralizec]

I think most people are aware that comic-heros have been (ab)used to convey certain political messages (and there certainly has been quite a lot of fictional material - even for kids - were the "evil" communists, were on the receiving end).
However, I do not quite recall e.g., Grover running around trying to kill commies and/or joking about the death of Brezhnev in "Sesame Street".

(although Bert has been known for his foul moments)

Bert is evil...

[Fragony]

With Hamas, they've been elected by a majority vote of Palestinians and supported widely around the Muslim world.

Why should that make any difference, so was Hitler by the germans.

[Spino]

OMG, too funny. Seeing Mickey Mouse demonstrating the virtues of martyrdom while speaking in that silly high pitched voice is hysterical. I hope SNL, Mad TV or better yet, Robot Chicken spoofs it.

What's next - Donald Duck extolling the virtues of capitalism?

Not a big stretch considering Donald's uncle is Scrooge McDuck...

[Banquo's Ghost]

Well, Banquo, truth be told there's some difference
between the Westboro Baptist Church and Hamas. With the Westboro
Baptist Church, they are marginalized, and it is frequently true
Christians that lead the charge against them. With Hamas, they've been
elected by a majority vote of Palestinians and supported widely around
the Muslim world.

Yes you are correct in that Hamas no more represents the religion of
Islam any better than the Westboro Baptist Church represents the
religion of Christianity. But the level of acceptance among the
believers at large is fundamentally different.

Oh I agree, and it is disturbing that so much of this stuff is gaining
support in the marginalised communities - especially because it
increases their isolation from solutions that may help them.

But the proposal that this is integral to all Muslims, or that there
is nothing good in their history or faith, is as misbegotten as the
same kind of accusations levelled at Christians on the basis of the
actions of their more barmy fringes.

The scale of the issues facing moderate muslims is far greater in the
world today than for any other religious community for sure, but we
should be careful not to demonise them along with the nutters, because
we could do with them on our side instead of forced towards those
unspeakable margins.

[PanzerJaeger]

nm..

[edyzmedieval]

Beware of the wrath of Hickey Mamas!!! (ok, a cheap interpretation, I know...)

Really, this is funny.

[ShadeHonestus]

Bugs Bunny and friends have entirely disapeared from U.S. channels. I believe the tin hatters have the Saudi Royal family purchasing the rights through their buddies the Bush's. Word has it that cartoonists are working round the clock in SA to reinvent the cartoon characters as a peace loving moderate front for Mickey's more hostile rhetoric. The illumanti of course are pulling the strings with their afghan oil pipeline.

[Agent Smith]

I think the problem is trying to distinguish Palestinian propaganda from Islamic propaganda. Unfortunately, Palestinian personal and political struggle is what really ultimate fuels the fire more than Islam in most of the Muslim world. However, in Palestine, they have fused their religious beliefs with their struggle to the point where they are synonymous. Still, it is sickening that you have 12 year olds singing about killing Jews and carrying AK-47's.

That aside, just so you know, Farfur means butterfly in Arabic. Which, of course, makes absolutely no sense...

[Leet Eriksson]

Farfour comes from Far which means Mouse in arabic, at least they avoided copyright infringement by giving him a different name and a very crappy costume.

I don't have the time/power/strength to explain all of this, its your classic israeli propaganda twisting some words and trying to make the palestinians the new hitler, mixed in with desperate hamas propagandists trying to tell palestinians its all the jews faults.

So far nothing is new, well besides farfour that is.

[Agent Smith]

By the way, the show has been pulled by al-Asqa:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,271039,00.html

And it makes the butterfly reference in there, too. But, your account makes a heck of a lot more sense.

[Papewaio]

Star quotes:

Why such a obscure name like Farfour? Just call him "Mecca Mouse" and be done with the charade.

But the level of acceptance among the believers at large is fundamentally different.

[Gregoshi]

...footage of masked militants firing rockets into Israel.

If only they had thought to put one of those black masks over poor Farfour's head, no one would be able to note the similarities to Mickey.

Though it appears Farfour may not work out, I've got some other children's cartoons for them:

Hamas the Tank Engine
Teenage Militant Jihad Turtles
Suicide Squirrel
Sponge Bomb Scare Pants
Fatah Albert (Hey hey hey!)
Hugs Gunny
Kabblam!
Dr. "Die! Die! American Dogs" Science (bomb construction, etc)

That oughta give 'em enough programming for a few years.

[Del Arroyo]

I thought of the "fi'r" possibility for the origin of Farfour, too, but apparently the word does mean "butterfly". This is actually not farfetched in a culture which does not share most of the homophobic norms of European cultures.

[Devastatin Dave]

By the way, the show has been pulled by al-Asqa:

.

Well, there really isn't a need for this show since its preached to them anyway in the mosques, regardless what Islam apologists here believe. I'll be more concerned for Westboro Baptist and their idiot leader when they start setting off car bombs and beheading those they consider "infidels" while praising Jesus. Till then, I'll worry about Western Society's true enemy.
Oh and BG, the biggest problem with Islam is not the people who follow it, its their rule book. You can't seperate the two or their founder and his violent way of life.

[Randarkmaan]

Well, there really isn't a need for this show since its preached to them anyway in the mosques, regardless what Islam apologists here believe. I'll be more concerned for Westboro Baptist and their idiot leader when they start setting off car bombs and beheading those they consider "infidels" while praising Jesus. Till then, I'll worry about Western Society's true enemy.
Oh and BG, the biggest problem with Islam is not the people who follow it, its their rule book. You can't seperate the two or their founder and his violent way of life.

Please don't try to do this! The Koran is just as full of weird things as the bible is, and it probably contradicts itself just as the bible does. "Thou shalt kill the unbeliever!" "Thou shalt be nice!"
Saying an entire religion is flawed and saying that it makes them violent is something that should be avoided. Also less than two centuries ago many people thought that Jews kidnapped and sacrificed their children. And, in their time, the Romans accused Christians of eating flesh and drinking blood.

[Devastatin Dave]

Please don't try to do this! The Koran is just as full of weird things as the bible is, and it probably contradicts itself just as the bible does. "Thou shalt kill the unbeliever!" "Thou shalt be nice!"
Saying an entire religion is flawed and saying that it makes them violent is something that should be avoided. Also less than two centuries ago many people thought that Jews kidnapped and sacrificed their children. And, in their time, the Romans accused Christians of eating flesh and drinking blood.

Oh well, enjoy the kool aide...

[Vladimir]

Well that's weird. Iran, the sponsors of Hezbollah, declared that Mickey Mouse was western propaganda designed to soften the image of the Jews. This must be the difference between Shiites and Sunnis and the reason for sectarian killings in Iraq. I guess I can see it, after all, that last scene of Full Metal Jacket had them singing the Mickey Mouse song...hmm .