DUSHANBE, September 13, 2012, Asia-Plus – International media sources report that the Taliban called on Afghans on Wednesday to prepare for a fight against Americans and urged insurgents to “take revenge” on US soldiers over a US-made film depicting Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
Reuters reported on September 12 that a statement released by the group, in particular, says, “The Islamic Emirate calls on religious heads around the country to completely inform Muslim followers of the inhumane acts of Americans… And make them ready for a long-term fight.”
The Afghan authorities banned YouTube website on Wednesday to stop Afghans watching the movie that sparked protests in North Africa and the killing of the U.S. ambassador to Libya.
“We have been told to shut down YouTube to the Afghan public until the video is taken down,” Aimal Marjan, general director of Information Technology at the Ministry of Communications, told Reuters in an interview.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai condemned the film, in which Muhammad is portrayed as a philanderer and a religious fake, saying its makers had done a “devilish act” and that insulting Islam was not allowed by freedom of speech.
According to Reuters, U.S. pastor Terry Jones, whose plans to burn the Koran triggered deadly riots in Afghanistan in 2010, said he had promoted the film, called “Innocence of Muslims.”
The U.S. ambassador to Libya and three embassy staff were killed as they rushed away from a consulate building in Benghazi, stormed by al Qaeda-linked gunmen. Another assault was mounted on the U.S. embassy in Cairo.
Marjan reportedly declined to say if the order to close YouTube in Afghanistan was to prevent violence or to protect his countrymen from being offended.
The accidental burning of Korans at a U.S. base near Kabul in February drew thousands of protesters to the streets across Afghanistan for weeks and dozens of people were killed, Reuters said.
