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 A Benetton ad in Paris featuring a doctored photo of the pope kissing a prominent imam.
November 16th, 2011
04:27 PM ET
Benetton pulls ad featuring doctored photo of pope kissing imamBy Dan Gilgoff, CNN.com Religion Editor (CNN) - United Colors of Benetton announced Wednesday it is pulling an ad featuring a doctored picture of the pope kissing a male Muslim cleric on the same day the ad was unveiled in response to criticism. The ad featured a fake picture of Pope Benedict XVI kissing Ahmed Mohamed el-Tayeb, imam of the Al-Azhar mosque, a prominent Muslim house of worship in Cairo, Egypt. "We reiterate that the meaning of this campaign is exclusively to combat the culture of hatred in all its forms," Benetton said in a statement on Wednesday. "We are therefore sorry that the use of the image of the pope and the imam has so offended the sentiments of the faithful,” the statement by the fashion apparel company continued. “In corroboration of our intentions, we have decided, with immediate effect, to withdraw this image from every publication." The ad was part of a campaign United Colors of Benetton unveiled Wednesday that features doctored photos of world leaders kissing each other and that aims to combat what the Italian-based company called a “culture of hatred.” The series features fake photos of U.S. President Barack Obama kissing Chinese leader Hu Jintao and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu kissing Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, among other pairings. The ads are appearing in print and online media around the world. “The central theme is the kiss, the most universal symbol of love, between world political and religious leaders,” Benetton said in a Wednesday press release. “These are symbolic images of reconciliation - with a touch of ironic hope and constructive provocation - to stimulate reflection on how politics, faith and ideas, even when they are divergent and mutually opposed, must still lead to dialogue and mediation.” Benetton says the ad campaign accompanies the creation of a new organization called the UNHATE foundation. soundoff (1,035 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Next »
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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this is sick... United colors is g a y. Not everyone wants to see two men kissing.
What? Really? Glad you spoke up PIB I was confused.
I do.. .i think it's super hot!
What nobody wants to see is the straight sickos slobbering on each other more than half naked on prime time television when kids can be watching. Now, THAT'S what is really sick!!
How dare they Insult Islam!
All of Islam is insulting!
Do you work for Benetton?
islams are gay... you should be enjoying this.
They got the attention they wanted as the company is failing....Benetton who???? Get your message across with a handshake...this is disgusting.
I think you mean a "special" handshake, right?
"This is not art its disrespectful, its like showing a brother having anals with his sister! is that art too?"
Yes. Yes, it is. 🙂
Wait, his sister has two butt holes? Yes, then that would be art. Just one butt hole, that's just gross.
"We reiterate that the meaning of this campaign is exclusively to combat the culture of hatred in all it's forms"? So they start out their campaign with some hatred and deceit of their own.
I want to see an ad with Jesus kissing Mohommed.
with tongue.
Jesus would know that Muslims are swine!
Ahhhh, I was gonna post that!
69
So you all think it is isn't bigotry to not respect how the two largest and most conservative religious groups in the world are insulted by this add? Psssst. Your hypocrisy is showing.
I think it isn't bigotry.
The real fakeitude of this photo only adds to the truthiosity of its message–the Pope is hot. He's a PILF.
PILF – lol
PILF... i'm still laughing at that!
hahhahaa
Benetton is a trash company. Always was. Always will be.
Just like your mama...
Common. this country allows freedom on speech... give it up guy
it's a good thing they weren't trying to make a similar point about those asskissing republicans in washington. that picture would have been some sight.
Should anybody be surprised that a photo (whether real or faked) showing two world leaders exchanging the most universal show of affection/kindness/compassion known to humanity offends the religious? How is that disrespectful? Aren't religious people the ones always prattling on and on about how mercy, compassion, and forgiveness are divine? Why are non-religious people always such a better representation of religious principles than the people who supposedly follow these philosophies? Religion is a cancer– it was once a useful tool for keeping the slobbering masses in check, but it has outgrown its usefulness and is now a harmful thing for society– like a favorite childhood blanket we are reluctant to be rid of even at the age of 34.....
Not only is this "free thinking" the same tired tripe put out by thousands of other athiests, your initial sentence suggesting that Benetton is being genuine with a message of love and respect is hypocritical at best and ignorant at worst.
I am sure you like kissing other guys.
great campaign. shame they took it out. its all about love and peace. we are all trired of conflict, tensions, conflict and hypocracy.
Benetton is a failed company looking for any attention it can get.
@Drew Your mama is a fail person giving birth to a stupid person like you. HAHA I am laughing at your stupid retarded face
Vince.
could you ramble on a little more.
your funny.
Mom? Dad?
yea? you called?
smart ad campaign. the controversy gives them more buzz than the original ad did.
Awww did the little Vatican get offended???
I really only have one thing to say about this – hahahahahahahaahahahahaahahahahaahahahahahaha. Ha.
So much truth in these fake pictures.
Well said.
Good God man! I wasn't invited to the wedding.
It all started with that ring kissing routine
I'm not gonna lie. That ad is hilarious...