Somali community elders become "hysterical" after Sprint sends threatening ads featuring images of a number of weapons.

[Admin]

Local Somali leader Abdi Bihi tells Fox 9 a community elder contacted him to share concerns about Sprint ads being mailed to Minneapolis residences.

The ads show a variety of weapons -- a machete, butcher knife, chainsaw, and sword, among others -- and ask, "Wanna cut your monthly Verizon or AT&T bill in half?"The mailers clearly aren't meant to be threatening, but Bihi says that's exactly how Somalis who lack English skills and see their names and addresses printed on them feel."There's a tremendous amount of cultural language barrier," Bihi says. "I was called by one of the businessmen in the community who has a business at [Karmel Square], and he had to meet with elders who were complaining about this. They were hysterical, thought they were being threatened."Bihi said the elder he spoke with wanted him to share the concerns he and other Somalis have about the mailers with the media.Asked who the Somali elders think would be threatening them, Bihi says, "They don't know who, maybe there are some bad people out to murder us, because some... All they can read are the pictures and their names and addresses, and because of the background they came from they just assume someone is out to get them."Sprint officials didn't immediately return emails and a voicemail seeking comment.

Sprint responds to Somali concerns about ad campaign

A local Somali leader told Fox 9 community elders are "hysterical" and feel threatened by Sprint ads sent to their homes featuring images of a number of weapons."There's a tremendous amount of cultural language barrier," Abdi Bihi says.Last night, Sprint spokesman Dave Mellin responded with the following statement:This is the first voice of concern that we have heard to date about this campaign. We certainly take all perspectives seriously and will be monitoring this closely to see if others voice a similar concern. In today's advertising environment, we have to continually be innovative and bold to get viewers' attention. We certainly apologize to anyone who may have been offended.Mellin says the ads are part of a national campaign.Source: http://www.myfoxtwincities.com

http://www.somaliaonline.com/somali-community-elders-become-hysterical-after-sprint-sends-threatening-ads-featuring-images-of-a-number-of-weapons/

[samiig]

hahaa!

 

Hysterical kulaha. i bet all them are killers already. its not like they come from a peaceful area.

[Mooge]

ala been badana ragan waaweyn maba xishonayan. lol.

 

waan argagaxnay kulaha.

[Ismail Jabar]

That Bihi guy wa istus who has no limit. This guy threw his religion under the bus and he has no moral compass

[Nin-Yaaban]

The sight of Mindi can bring about mental stress and anguish. Sue them.

 

Those people would need yrs of therapy from seeing those killing machines.

 

Masaakiinta reer Minnesota, my heart goes out to u.