Pope kisses Muslim Cleric: Shock 'Unhate' ad canned
By Gadiola Emanuel - 8:14:00 AM
The Vatican has lashed out at a controversial ad campaign by Benetton, which pairs long-time public rivals sharing a kiss of love and appreciation.
Pope Benedict XVI and Ahmed Mohamed el-Tayeb, Imam at the Al-Azhar mosque in Cairo, the only non-politicians featured in the controversial “Unhate” campaign by the clothing company Benetton. The image was bound to draw anger from both Christians and Muslims, and harsh reaction from the Vatican came promptly.
“This is a grave lack of respect for the Pope, an offence against the sentiments of the faithful and a clear example of how advertising can violate elementary rules of respect for people in order to attract attention through provocation," Vatican spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardi said in a statement.
The threat to sue over the ad resulted in the removal of the picture from both the campaign’s website and street banners. It is still widely available on the internet however.
The Ad Age company, which created the campaign for Benetton, chose some of the most improbable personalities for their pictures. Barack Obama is featured twice – with Chinese leader Hu Jintao and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas passionately kiss in another picture. Yet another shows the leaders of the two Koreas, Lee Myung-bak and Kim Jong-il.
RT news
Pope Benedict XVI and Ahmed Mohamed el-Tayeb, Imam at the Al-Azhar mosque in Cairo, the only non-politicians featured in the controversial “Unhate” campaign by the clothing company Benetton. The image was bound to draw anger from both Christians and Muslims, and harsh reaction from the Vatican came promptly.
“This is a grave lack of respect for the Pope, an offence against the sentiments of the faithful and a clear example of how advertising can violate elementary rules of respect for people in order to attract attention through provocation," Vatican spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardi said in a statement.
The threat to sue over the ad resulted in the removal of the picture from both the campaign’s website and street banners. It is still widely available on the internet however.
The Ad Age company, which created the campaign for Benetton, chose some of the most improbable personalities for their pictures. Barack Obama is featured twice – with Chinese leader Hu Jintao and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas passionately kiss in another picture. Yet another shows the leaders of the two Koreas, Lee Myung-bak and Kim Jong-il.
RT news
0 comments