Optus removes Arabic ad from Sydney store

[webfact]

Optus removes Arabic ad from Sydney store

SYDNEY: -- AN Optus advertisement written in Arabic has been removed from a Sydney mall after store staff were allegedly threatened.

ANGRY customers have been denouncing the ads on the telecommunications company's Facebook page for the past 24 hours, with some saying it's inappropriate to display the advertisements in the wake of the Paris terror attacks.

"What's with the Optus, Casula shopping centre advertisement board, not one word of English on it? Very poor taste considering the weekend's events," one post read.

Optus removed the ads from Casula Mall in Sydney's southwest on Monday.

An Optus spokesperson said: "Following a threat to our store staff, we made the decision to remove some materials that were published in Arabic. The safety and security of our staff is paramount."

Full story: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/optus-removes-arabic-ad-from-sydney-store/news-story/931103f89bbd362d83d561302972dd42

-- Herald Sun 2015-11-17

[Seastallion]

Can't blame OPTUS for removing the sign for safety reasons. They have a legal obligation to protect their staff.

I hope the police are investigating this terrorism threat.

[Seastallion]

As for the complaints....wadda flaack? Some Syrian terrorists committed an atrocity, and all Arabic language must be suppressed?

Redneck kneejerk.,,,playing into ISIS game plan.

[Usernames]

Can't blame OPTUS for removing the sign for safety reasons. They have a legal obligation to protect their staff.

I hope the police are investigating this terrorism threat.

So complaints and denunciations = terrorism? What a world you want to make. Disagree with you and people are sent to jail for terrorism? If the store feared for their staff, they need to produce evidence of threats pronto. There is no mention of it at all in the OP or the link, just people complaining and denouncing the store. But you want to send them to jail.

[Enoon]

If you live in Australia, and you like a shawarma, best keep quiet about it until this all blows over.

[Jonmarleesco]

Can't blame OPTUS for removing the sign for safety reasons. They have a legal obligation to protect their staff.

I hope the police are investigating this terrorism threat.

Where does it mention the threat was one of terrorism? More likely one linked to the ad, and let's be frank, putting such an ad out right now was an act of gross stupidity.

[Jonmarleesco]

As for the complaints....wadda flaack? Some Syrian terrorists committed an atrocity, and all Arabic language must be suppressed?

Redneck kneejerk.,,,playing into ISIS game plan.

And what game plan would that be?

[jacky54]

No doubt the grand mufti of Australia will say this is racist and islamophobic, he does not give a rats ass about the dead in Paris of course his only concerns being the permanently 'oppressed and offended' victims known as Muslims

[simple1]

The Grand Mufti did condemn the Paris attacks and offered condolences to victims’ friends and families.of those murdered in Paris. Not many too happy with his criticism of how the 'War of terror' is being addressed.

Getting back to the OP, there were threats made in social media regarding the ad in Arabic to which Optus reacted. I would not be surprised in Optus has requested a police investigation. It would be interesting to see how Federal / State governments would respond to social media threats for the Arab language used in many of their multi-language advisory web content and forms.

[Seastallion]

Can't blame OPTUS for removing the sign for safety reasons. They have a legal obligation to protect their staff.

I hope the police are investigating this terrorism threat.

So complaints and denunciations = terrorism? What a world you want to make. Disagree with you and people are sent to jail for terrorism? If the store feared for their staff, they need to produce evidence of threats pronto. There is no mention of it at all in the OP or the link, just people complaining and denouncing the store. But you want to send them to jail.

"An Optus spokesperson said: "Following a threat to our store staff, ....."

You don't even have to click the link to the full story.

Suggest you go see an optometrist.

[Seastallion]

Can't blame OPTUS for removing the sign for safety reasons. They have a legal obligation to protect their staff.

I hope the police are investigating this terrorism threat.

Where does it mention the threat was one of terrorism? More likely one linked to the ad, and let's be frank, putting such an ad out right now was an act of gross stupidity.

Any threat of violence, especially from an anonymous stranger, could be regarded as, and should be treated as potential terrorism.

[Seastallion]

As for the complaints....wadda flaack? Some Syrian terrorists committed an atrocity, and all Arabic language must be suppressed?

Redneck kneejerk.,,,playing into ISIS game plan.

And what game plan would that be?

To cause division and hatred, to drive moderate Muslims to extremism.

What Waleed has to say has a lot of weight and sense. Heed him.

https://www.facebook.com/theprojecttv/videos/10153243154568441/

Edited November 17, 2015 by Seastallion

[Seastallion]

Can't blame OPTUS for removing the sign for safety reasons. They have a legal obligation to protect their staff.

I hope the police are investigating this terrorism threat.

Where does it mention the threat was one of terrorism? More likely one linked to the ad, and let's be frank, putting such an ad out right now was an act of gross stupidity.

Eh??? Some terrorist kill in Paris (and Lebanon and Cairo and Kenya and....), and Australian companies are supposed to forget some of their customers?

When China commits atrocities on Tibet, do you think all signs in Chinese should be removed?

Back in the day, when the IRA blew a bomb, should stout be removed from all the pubs?

It's a silly notion of yours to think any business should stop serving a section of the community.

[tigermonkey]

Can't blame OPTUS for removing the sign for safety reasons. They have a legal obligation to protect their staff.

I hope the police are investigating this terrorism threat.

Where does it mention the threat was one of terrorism? More likely one linked to the ad, and let's be frank, putting such an ad out right now was an act of gross stupidity.

Any threat of violence, especially from an anonymous stranger, could be regarded as, and should be treated as potential terrorism.

.....and now we have the other side of 'knee jerk' reaction. The OP said "threat". "Threat pf violence' was purely your assumption. Could be threat of boycott, pickets or many other things. By your reaction, waving a fist at someone in traffic, becomes road rage , becomes terrorism -- perhaps you should try some moderation

[Usernames]

Can't blame OPTUS for removing the sign for safety reasons. They have a legal obligation to protect their staff.

I hope the police are investigating this terrorism threat.

So complaints and denunciations = terrorism? What a world you want to make. Disagree with you and people are sent to jail for terrorism? If the store feared for their staff, they need to produce evidence of threats pronto. There is no mention of it at all in the OP or the link, just people complaining and denouncing the store. But you want to send them to jail.

"An Optus spokesperson said: "Following a threat to our store staff, ....."

You don't even have to click the link to the full story.

Suggest you go see an optometrist.

Suggest you read again, What was the threat? Optus doesn't say. Like you, they could well be going all crazy over a "denunciation," because we know that such will get you jail time already in parts of Europe. Where was the terrorism? That was YOUR word. I could "threaten" to never shop there again, but it wouldn't be an act of terrorism. This is exactly why we are where we are today.

[Seastallion]

Can't blame OPTUS for removing the sign for safety reasons. They have a legal obligation to protect their staff.

I hope the police are investigating this terrorism threat.

Where does it mention the threat was one of terrorism? More likely one linked to the ad, and let's be frank, putting such an ad out right now was an act of gross stupidity.

Any threat of violence, especially from an anonymous stranger, could be regarded as, and should be treated as potential terrorism.

.....and now we have the other side of 'knee jerk' reaction. The OP said "threat". "Threat pf violence' was purely your assumption. Could be threat of boycott, pickets or many other things. By your reaction, waving a fist at someone in traffic, becomes road rage , becomes terrorism -- perhaps you should try some moderation

If there was a concern for safety (as there was), I don't think the threat was for a boycott or picket. It is a reasonable assumption.

[Morch]

It's pretty ignorant to rage over that particular ad, what with probably most people having no clue what it said.

That logically there is no connection to the Paris attacks is true, but people do not always act rationally or are overly informed.

Since the company obviously got some marketing people, they might have seen this coming - regardless of whether the outrage is justified.

As for the ongoing "debate" on this topic - guess some people would say it's a poor choice of words to define an alleged undisclosed threat as "terrorism", especially with the real terrorist attack still fresh in our memories.

[tigermonkey]

Any threat of violence, especially from an anonymous stranger, could be regarded as, and should be treated as potential terrorism.

Where does it mention the threat was one of terrorism? More likely one linked to the ad, and let's be frank, putting such an ad out right now was an act of gross stupidity.

.....and now we have the other side of 'knee jerk' reaction. The OP said "threat". "Threat pf violence' was purely your assumption. Could be threat of boycott, pickets or many other things. By your reaction, waving a fist at someone in traffic, becomes road rage , becomes terrorism -- perhaps you should try some moderation

If there was a concern for safety (as there was), I don't think the threat was for a boycott or picket. It is a reasonable assumption.

People have been getting angry and/or offended for centuries. To immediately label them as terrorists is not reasonable. It is inflammatory and can only serve to escalate emotions. Terrorism is far from a "reasonable assumption" in my view. Optus did the correct thing to de-escalate the situation, but some don't believe in moderation and de-escalation. If you want it to be terrorism, I hope that you are wrong.

[p_brownstone]

It's pretty ignorant to rage over that particular ad, what with probably most people having no clue what it said.

This of course is the major problem "what with probably most people having no clue what it said." - a sign in a local Store, in a foreign script which unfortunately is becoming more and more suspect as "the language of terror".

Non Arabic speaking people entering that Store could not possibly know whether the sign read "Discount on all Soft Drinks" or "Death to all Infidels who shop here" - whatever.

If the Store has Multi-cultural clientele then add an English and / or other language translation.

Particularly given recent circumstances it's surely common sense.

Patrick

[Seastallion]

It's pretty ignorant to rage over that particular ad, what with probably most people having no clue what it said.

That logically there is no connection to the Paris attacks is true, but people do not always act rationally or are overly informed.

Since the company obviously got some marketing people, they might have seen this coming - regardless of whether the outrage is justified.

As for the ongoing "debate" on this topic - guess some people would say it's a poor choice of words to define an alleged undisclosed threat as "terrorism", especially with the real terrorist attack still fresh in our memories.

Yeah, right. It's not terrorism if an Aussie redneck rings up and threatens the safety of the staff, but freedom fighters fighting tooth and nail to stop their home being demolished are terrorists.

I think people should have a re-think about what "terrorism" actually is.

If a phone call or email instilled enough fear for the safety of staff that management had to take action, then it was indeed terrorism.

[Morch]

It's pretty ignorant to rage over that particular ad, what with probably most people having no clue what it said.

That logically there is no connection to the Paris attacks is true, but people do not always act rationally or are overly informed.

Since the company obviously got some marketing people, they might have seen this coming - regardless of whether the outrage is justified.

As for the ongoing "debate" on this topic - guess some people would say it's a poor choice of words to define an alleged undisclosed threat as "terrorism", especially with the real terrorist attack still fresh in our memories.

Yeah, right. It's not terrorism if an Aussie redneck rings up and threatens the safety of the staff, but freedom fighters fighting tooth and nail to stop their home being demolished are terrorists.

I think people should have a re-think about what "terrorism" actually is.

If a phone call or email instilled enough fear for the safety of staff that management had to take action, then it was indeed terrorism.

No, it's hyperbole.

[simple1]

It's pretty ignorant to rage over that particular ad, what with probably most people having no clue what it said.

This of course is the major problem "what with probably most people having no clue what it said." - a sign in a local Store, in a foreign script which unfortunately is becoming more and more suspect as "the language of terror".

Non Arabic speaking people entering that Store could not possibly know whether the sign read "Discount on all Soft Drinks" or "Death to all Infidels who shop here" - whatever.

If the Store has Multi-cultural clientele then add an English and / or other language translation.

Particularly given recent circumstances it's surely common sense.

Patrick

Any messaging in the public domain in Oz, in Arabic, supporting terrorism would be reported to the National Security Hotline / police by....Muslims.

You & many others appear to be totally unaware Muslims in Oz have been recognised & thanked by the national security agencies as one of their best assets for identifying Islamic extremists within their communities.

Edited November 17, 2015 by simple1

[Morch]

It's pretty ignorant to rage over that particular ad, what with probably most people having no clue what it said.

This of course is the major problem "what with probably most people having no clue what it said." - a sign in a local Store, in a foreign script which unfortunately is becoming more and more suspect as "the language of terror".

Non Arabic speaking people entering that Store could not possibly know whether the sign read "Discount on all Soft Drinks" or "Death to all Infidels who shop here" - whatever.

If the Store has Multi-cultural clientele then add an English and / or other language translation.

Particularly given recent circumstances it's surely common sense.

Patrick

Any messaging in the public domain in Oz, in Arabic, supporting terrorism would be reported to the National Security Hotline / police by....Muslims.

You & many others appear to be totally unaware Muslims in Oz have been recognised & thanked by the national security agencies as one of their best assets for identifying Islamic extremists within their communities.

Not all of the public takes an keen interest in details. Not everyone is up to date on who said what. That's the way things are with pretty much any topic.

Expecting the general public to be well informed about all the subtleties, differences and nuances relating to every issue is unrealistic.

Obviously, Muslims all over the world suffer from a bad public image among most non-Muslims. Now, this could be said to be caused by ignorance, bigotry or even the result of a contrived effort by various "them". Another view would be that the actions of some Muslims (or as some insist, not-real-Muslims) reflects on Muslims in general.

I think that as much as one holds either view, it would be hard to deny many of the instances and issues which makes Islam seem incompatible with Western ideals and way of life. This is not a glorification of the Western world, but how, in my opinion, the problem is perceived by many people. Pinning it all on misconceptions, bad PR and bigotry amounts to burying one's head in the sand. The same goes for blaming it all on them not-real-Muslims. There got to be some balance, which means accepting the possibility that there might be issues with the way Islam translates into the reality of the modern World.

[Seastallion]

It's pretty ignorant to rage over that particular ad, what with probably most people having no clue what it said.

This of course is the major problem "what with probably most people having no clue what it said." - a sign in a local Store, in a foreign script which unfortunately is becoming more and more suspect as "the language of terror".

Non Arabic speaking people entering that Store could not possibly know whether the sign read "Discount on all Soft Drinks" or "Death to all Infidels who shop here" - whatever.

If the Store has Multi-cultural clientele then add an English and / or other language translation.

Particularly given recent circumstances it's surely common sense.

Patrick

Any messaging in the public domain in Oz, in Arabic, supporting terrorism would be reported to the National Security Hotline / police by....Muslims.

You & many others appear to be totally unaware Muslims in Oz have been recognised & thanked by the national security agencies as one of their best assets for identifying Islamic extremists within their communities.

Not all of the public takes an keen interest in details. Not everyone is up to date on who said what. That's the way things are with pretty much any topic.

Expecting the general public to be well informed about all the subtleties, differences and nuances relating to every issue is unrealistic.

Obviously, Muslims all over the world suffer from a bad public image among most non-Muslims. Now, this could be said to be caused by ignorance, bigotry or even the result of a contrived effort by various "them". Another view would be that the actions of some Muslims (or as some insist, not-real-Muslims) reflects on Muslims in general.

I think that as much as one holds either view, it would be hard to deny many of the instances and issues which makes Islam seem incompatible with Western ideals and way of life. This is not a glorification of the Western world, but how, in my opinion, the problem is perceived by many people. Pinning it all on misconceptions, bad PR and bigotry amounts to burying one's head in the sand. The same goes for blaming it all on them not-real-Muslims. There got to be some balance, which means accepting the possibility that there might be issues with the way Islam translates into the reality of the modern World.

[Morch]

Not all of the public takes an keen interest in details. Not everyone is up to date on who said what. That's the way things are with pretty much any topic.

Expecting the general public to be well informed about all the subtleties, differences and nuances relating to every issue is unrealistic.

Obviously, Muslims all over the world suffer from a bad public image among most non-Muslims. Now, this could be said to be caused by ignorance, bigotry or even the result of a contrived effort by various "them". Another view would be that the actions of some Muslims (or as some insist, not-real-Muslims) reflects on Muslims in general.

I think that as much as one holds either view, it would be hard to deny many of the instances and issues which makes Islam seem incompatible with Western ideals and way of life. This is not a glorification of the Western world, but how, in my opinion, the problem is perceived by many people. Pinning it all on misconceptions, bad PR and bigotry amounts to burying one's head in the sand. The same goes for blaming it all on them not-real-Muslims. There got to be some balance, which means accepting the possibility that there might be issues with the way Islam translates into the reality of the modern World.

If there were numerous KKK terrorist attacks all over the globe, a similar linkage might have been noted.

[Seastallion]

Not all of the public takes an keen interest in details. Not everyone is up to date on who said what. That's the way things are with pretty much any topic.

Expecting the general public to be well informed about all the subtleties, differences and nuances relating to every issue is unrealistic.

Obviously, Muslims all over the world suffer from a bad public image among most non-Muslims. Now, this could be said to be caused by ignorance, bigotry or even the result of a contrived effort by various "them". Another view would be that the actions of some Muslims (or as some insist, not-real-Muslims) reflects on Muslims in general.

I think that as much as one holds either view, it would be hard to deny many of the instances and issues which makes Islam seem incompatible with Western ideals and way of life. This is not a glorification of the Western world, but how, in my opinion, the problem is perceived by many people. Pinning it all on misconceptions, bad PR and bigotry amounts to burying one's head in the sand. The same goes for blaming it all on them not-real-Muslims. There got to be some balance, which means accepting the possibility that there might be issues with the way Islam translates into the reality of the modern World.

If there were numerous KKK terrorist attacks all over the globe, a similar linkage might have been noted.

So numbers count?In death toll too? Best not go there.

No.Everyone realises that KKK Christians do not represent the majority of Christians, but have a warped view and an agenda.

[Morch]

Not all of the public takes an keen interest in details. Not everyone is up to date on who said what. That's the way things are with pretty much any topic.

Expecting the general public to be well informed about all the subtleties, differences and nuances relating to every issue is unrealistic.

Obviously, Muslims all over the world suffer from a bad public image among most non-Muslims. Now, this could be said to be caused by ignorance, bigotry or even the result of a contrived effort by various "them". Another view would be that the actions of some Muslims (or as some insist, not-real-Muslims) reflects on Muslims in general.

I think that as much as one holds either view, it would be hard to deny many of the instances and issues which makes Islam seem incompatible with Western ideals and way of life. This is not a glorification of the Western world, but how, in my opinion, the problem is perceived by many people. Pinning it all on misconceptions, bad PR and bigotry amounts to burying one's head in the sand. The same goes for blaming it all on them not-real-Muslims. There got to be some balance, which means accepting the possibility that there might be issues with the way Islam translates into the reality of the modern World.

If there were numerous KKK terrorist attacks all over the globe, a similar linkage might have been noted.

So numbers count?In death toll too? Best not go there.

No.Everyone realises that KKK Christians do not represent the majority of Christians, but have a warped view and an agenda.

Obviously you failed to notice the "all over the globe" part.

The KKK was, almost exclusively, a domestic USA issue.

Islamic terrorism is an international phenomenon, and this image is enhanced by other terrorist attacks carried out by Muslims (even without them being related to religion).