Pictures showing McD customers as 'filthy' dogs spark outrage among netizens
18 Apr 2024 • 9:10 AM MYT
Aaron Colt
News and political writer. Shooting through the noise, one word at a time
Picture depicting McD customers as dogs (Source: Jie Awang Bridal House)
Since the 12th of April 2024, there have been multiple posts that depict McDonald's customers as dogs which have gone viral. One such post by Jie Awang Bridal House garnered 500+ reactions and 1.4k comments before it was taken down due to many people criticizing Jie Awang Bridal House's post. The post read, “Our Muslim brethren (refers to Palestinians) are still not safe and are still fighting there (see Jihad)”. The post featured many AI-generated images that depict McDonald's customers as dogs which many people find offensive.
Another post by Muhammad Hisyamuddin read, “Oh my people (refers to Malays), (it seems that) the boycott is seasonal as during the festive season of Raya, many dogs (refers to customers of McD and KFC) go to MCD and KFC.”. The following caption is also included in the picture, “Many ‘dogs’ (refer to McDonald's customers) have begun to eat at McDonald's. Can't blame them as they are animals, how could they understand the pain of our Muslim brethren (refers to Palestinians).”
Posts that compare McD customers to dogs (Source: Jie Awang Bridal House, Muhammad Hisyamuddin)
But why the depiction of McDonald's or KFC customers as dogs in the pictures? Well, for starters, followers of the Shafi'i school of jurisprudence in Sunni Islam such as Malaysian Muslims are taught that dogs are unclean or impure. Another thing that prompted this depiction is an alleged quote by the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu which stated that “people who boycott it’s like a dog who will return to its owner when it’s hungry”. This quote has circulated online since December 2023 and has spread like wildfire among Malaysian Muslims.
However, there is just one problem, there is no evidence that Benjamin Netanyahu said that. You heard me right - zero, zip, zilch, nada, there was absolutely no evidence that Benjamin Netanyahu likened people who boycott to a dog who will return to its owner when it is hungry. You can try Googling it but you will soon find that neither articles nor videos from reputable media outlets cover this. All we have is a bunch of pictures/posters of Benjamin Netanyahu with the quote which can be added in or edited by anyone online. Don't you think that if he did actually say it, it would have been picked up by multiple reputable media outlets? A Malaysian Muslim, Muhammad Ooi even offers RM50 to anyone who can show him the original source of the statement in a video or news article (not in the form of blog posts or posters). At the time of writing, no one has claimed it and Muhammad Ooi has since raised the amount to RM100 which to no one's surprise, has not been claimed as well.
But why the depiction of McDonald's or KFC customers as dogs in the pictures? Well, for starters, followers of the Shafi'i school of jurisprudence in Sunni Islam such as Malaysian Muslims are taught that dogs are unclean or impure. Another thing that prompted this depiction is an alleged quote by the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu which stated that “people who boycott it’s like a dog who will return to its owner when it’s hungry”. This quote has circulated online since December 2023 and has spread like wildfire among Malaysian Muslims.
However, there is just one problem, there is no evidence that Benjamin Netanyahu said that. You heard me right - zero, zip, zilch, nada, there was absolutely no evidence that Benjamin Netanyahu likened people who boycott to a dog who will return to its owner when it is hungry. You can try Googling it but you will soon find that neither articles nor videos from reputable media outlets cover this. All we have is a bunch of pictures/posters of Benjamin Netanyahu with the quote which can be added in or edited by anyone online. Don't you think that if he did actually say it, it would have been picked up by multiple reputable media outlets? A Malaysian Muslim, Muhammad Ooi even offers RM50 to anyone who can show him the original source of the statement in a video or news article (not in the form of blog posts or posters). At the time of writing, no one has claimed it and Muhammad Ooi has since raised the amount to RM100 which to no one's surprise, has not been claimed as well.
The alleged quote by Benjamin Netanyahu (Source: Facebook)
The posts that featured pictures depicting McDonald's customers as dogs have sparked outrage and drew criticism online. One such post by Helmi Effendy stated the following, “It's like this, this boycott is up to each person (in other words, the choice is theirs to make). I boycott Starbucks, but my effort doesn't include boycotting McDonald's and KFC as you know I've written why. So, let's not be extreme in our efforts to the extent of using false statements like Biden and Netanyahu calling anyone who doesn't boycott US and Israeli products dogs. Then, these false statements are used as an argument to call our fellow Muslims who don't boycott as dogs. They make AI-generated images depicting our fellow Muslims as dogs alongside us. This is extremism in religion, bro. Being religious requires using reason and rationality. If it's solely based on emotions, it turns out like this. Be careful, bro, don't go overboard in everything we do.”
Another post by Ustaz Lariba thinks that depicting McDonald's customers as dogs is “excessive and sinful”. Ustaz Lariba (real name: Abdul Aziz Mohd Noor) has the following to say, "To boycott or not, that's the right and choice of individuals. Because there are no directives from those in authority. But depicting others with the faces of animals, that's excessive and sinful. If you feel boycotting is akin to worship, then don't intertwine it with other sins. Who knows where the pahala (reward) goes, (but in this case) you are just adding more sins. There's no need to exceed the limits to uphold one's struggle. Cultivate knowledge, and stay away from shallowness. Insha Allah ('God willing' in English)…"
The posts that featured pictures depicting McDonald's customers as dogs have sparked outrage and drew criticism online. One such post by Helmi Effendy stated the following, “It's like this, this boycott is up to each person (in other words, the choice is theirs to make). I boycott Starbucks, but my effort doesn't include boycotting McDonald's and KFC as you know I've written why. So, let's not be extreme in our efforts to the extent of using false statements like Biden and Netanyahu calling anyone who doesn't boycott US and Israeli products dogs. Then, these false statements are used as an argument to call our fellow Muslims who don't boycott as dogs. They make AI-generated images depicting our fellow Muslims as dogs alongside us. This is extremism in religion, bro. Being religious requires using reason and rationality. If it's solely based on emotions, it turns out like this. Be careful, bro, don't go overboard in everything we do.”
Another post by Ustaz Lariba thinks that depicting McDonald's customers as dogs is “excessive and sinful”. Ustaz Lariba (real name: Abdul Aziz Mohd Noor) has the following to say, "To boycott or not, that's the right and choice of individuals. Because there are no directives from those in authority. But depicting others with the faces of animals, that's excessive and sinful. If you feel boycotting is akin to worship, then don't intertwine it with other sins. Who knows where the pahala (reward) goes, (but in this case) you are just adding more sins. There's no need to exceed the limits to uphold one's struggle. Cultivate knowledge, and stay away from shallowness. Insha Allah ('God willing' in English)…"
Posts that criticize the depiction of McD customers as dogs (Source: Helmi Effendy, Ustaz Lariba)
In conclusion, the recent uproar over images portraying McDonald's customers as 'filthy' dogs highlights the deep-seated tensions surrounding boycotts and religious sensitivities. While these images have stirred intense reactions and debates among netizens, it's crucial to remember the importance of discernment and critical thinking in evaluating such claims.
The alleged association between boycotting and likening individuals to animals, purportedly originating from a quote attributed to Benjamin Netanyahu, underscores the dangers of spreading unverified information. Despite fervent searches, no credible evidence supporting this quote has surfaced, casting doubt on its validity.
Moreover, the use of inflammatory imagery and rhetoric risks exacerbating divisions within communities and perpetuating extremism. As highlighted by concerned voices like Helmi Effendy and Ustaz Lariba, there's a call for restraint and rational discourse in navigating complex issues such as boycotts and religious beliefs.
Ultimately, the discourse surrounding these images serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of critical engagement, empathy, and the pursuit of knowledge in fostering a more informed and harmonious society. Let us strive to approach such matters with nuance, understanding, and a commitment to dialogue, steering clear of sensationalism and divisiveness.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the individuals who posted the images depicting McDonald's customers as dogs and the associated captions. The author did not create the images nor the caption associated with the images, and they are used here solely for the purpose of reporting and analysis. The author acknowledges that the use of such imagery may evoke strong reactions and emphasizes that these opinions do not necessarily reflect their own views or beliefs. The author encourages readers to engage critically with the content presented and to consider multiple perspectives when forming their own opinions on the subject matter.
(Disclaimer in Malay) Penafian: Pendapat yang dinyatakan dalam artikel ini adalah pendapat individu yang memuat naik imej yang menggambarkan pelanggan McDonald's sebagai anjing dan kapsyen yang berkaitan. Penulis tidak mencipta imej atau kapsyen tersebut, dan mereka digunakan di sini semata-mata untuk tujuan penyiaran dan analisis. Penulis mengakui bahawa penggunaan imej sedemikian mungkin menimbulkan reaksi yang kuat dan menekankan bahawa pendapat-pendapat ini tidak semestinya mencerminkan pandangan atau kepercayaan mereka sendiri. Penulis menggalakkan pembaca untuk terlibat secara kritis dengan kandungan yang disajikan dan untuk mempertimbangkan pelbagai perspektif apabila membentuk pendapat mereka sendiri mengenai subjek yang dibincangkan.
In conclusion, the recent uproar over images portraying McDonald's customers as 'filthy' dogs highlights the deep-seated tensions surrounding boycotts and religious sensitivities. While these images have stirred intense reactions and debates among netizens, it's crucial to remember the importance of discernment and critical thinking in evaluating such claims.
The alleged association between boycotting and likening individuals to animals, purportedly originating from a quote attributed to Benjamin Netanyahu, underscores the dangers of spreading unverified information. Despite fervent searches, no credible evidence supporting this quote has surfaced, casting doubt on its validity.
Moreover, the use of inflammatory imagery and rhetoric risks exacerbating divisions within communities and perpetuating extremism. As highlighted by concerned voices like Helmi Effendy and Ustaz Lariba, there's a call for restraint and rational discourse in navigating complex issues such as boycotts and religious beliefs.
Ultimately, the discourse surrounding these images serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of critical engagement, empathy, and the pursuit of knowledge in fostering a more informed and harmonious society. Let us strive to approach such matters with nuance, understanding, and a commitment to dialogue, steering clear of sensationalism and divisiveness.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the individuals who posted the images depicting McDonald's customers as dogs and the associated captions. The author did not create the images nor the caption associated with the images, and they are used here solely for the purpose of reporting and analysis. The author acknowledges that the use of such imagery may evoke strong reactions and emphasizes that these opinions do not necessarily reflect their own views or beliefs. The author encourages readers to engage critically with the content presented and to consider multiple perspectives when forming their own opinions on the subject matter.
(Disclaimer in Malay) Penafian: Pendapat yang dinyatakan dalam artikel ini adalah pendapat individu yang memuat naik imej yang menggambarkan pelanggan McDonald's sebagai anjing dan kapsyen yang berkaitan. Penulis tidak mencipta imej atau kapsyen tersebut, dan mereka digunakan di sini semata-mata untuk tujuan penyiaran dan analisis. Penulis mengakui bahawa penggunaan imej sedemikian mungkin menimbulkan reaksi yang kuat dan menekankan bahawa pendapat-pendapat ini tidak semestinya mencerminkan pandangan atau kepercayaan mereka sendiri. Penulis menggalakkan pembaca untuk terlibat secara kritis dengan kandungan yang disajikan dan untuk mempertimbangkan pelbagai perspektif apabila membentuk pendapat mereka sendiri mengenai subjek yang dibincangkan.
Doggies are cute.... I have 3 of them.
ReplyDeleteDogs are far more intelligent that these idiots
ReplyDelete