Ads Spoof Terror Videos; Not All Are Amused

Dutch fireworks-safety ads spoofing Islamic terrorists have drawn criticism for their light take on suicide bombings and portrayal of negative Muslim stereotypes, the Guardian reports. The group depicted in the government-sponsored ads—LAAF, or the “Liberation Army Against Freedom”—is seen getting fireworks delivered as illicit arms, holing up in a cave, and practicing improper firework safety in their efforts to show "our true power.”

"This is insensitive to society as a whole. Suicide bombings have destroyed many thousands of lives—using them in a humorous way is totally inappropriate," said the Iraqi CEO of a marketing firm. Others were less incensed: "There will always be some who find it to be in bad taste," said a member of the Muslim Council of Britain, "but I thought it was done light-heartedly and with clear educational value." (More Holland stories.)