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Ohio Car Dealer Blasted For "Jihad" Radio Ad Campaign
September 24, 2006 11:30 a.m. EST
Mort Karman - All Headline News Staff Reporter

Columbus, OH (AHN) - A Columbus auto dealership is going ahead with an ad campaign in which it declared "a jihad on the automotive market." This despite much criticism and the refusal of several area radio stations to run the ads.

Dennis Mitsubishi said Saturday it would not change the ads.

In the promotions the ads state dealership sales representatives will be wearing "burqas", the traditional black head to toe dress worn by Islamic females. The advertisements also promote vehicles which will "carry 12 jihadists in the back."

The ads go on to proclaim,"Our prices are lower then the evildoers' everyday. Just ask the Pope." The ad continues, "Friday is fatwa Friday, with free rubber swards for the kiddies," A fatwa is an Islamic religious edict.

Dealership president Keith Dennis said the ads do not disrespect any religion or culture. he said what he is doing is fair game and "poking a little fun at radical extremists,".

"It was our intention to craft an ad campaign around some of the buzz words of the day and give everyone a good chuckle and a little bit of a tension relieve," he said.

The Columbus chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations had a different opinion of the ads. They see them as disrespectful.

"using this kind of thing as a promotional pitch when so many people are dying from the criminal activity of suicide bombers, that's not funny." commented chapter president Asma Mabin-Uddin. " I don't think it is appropriate when it causes real pain. It exploits or promotes misunderstanding in terms already misunderstood or misused."

Dennis says the ads will begin airing next week. he also said the ads were written and produced by his company. He is unsure which radio stations will air the spots.

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7004960360