Teens in Lebanon have reportedly kicked off a new campaign aimed at countering the Islamic State — with the Burn ISIS Flag Challenge.
Mediaite reported that one commenter on a YouTube video showing the burning of the widely recognized symbol reads: “I nominate the whole world to #Burn_ISIS_Flag_Challenge. You have 24 hours. GO!!”
The Lebanese justice minister, meanwhile, says the action isn’t acceptable.
He said that anyone caught buying the Islamic State flags would face the “sternest punishments” possible, Mediaite reported. He said the flag represents Muslims’ declaration of faith and those who burn anything with the flag’s text on it are being purposely provocative, the news outlet reported.
YouTube isn’t listening to the minister, however. Several have posted videos of the flag-burning, with accompanying messages that make clear the action’s being taken in honor of the challenge.
“Citizens of #Lebanon invoke a #BurnISISFlagChallenge for the world,” one poster wrote, beneath a video and still shots of a group flag burning, Mediaite reported.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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