WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |Wis. store yanks fireworks offensive to Muslims
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Associated Press - July 4, 2009 2:55 PM ET
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A Wisconsin fireworks store has yanked a brand off its shelves after complaints from a Minnesota Muslim group.
The fireworks were called "Run Hadji Run." The packaging showed a cartoon drawing of Uncle Sam yanking the beard of a man dressed in Muslim attire, and the other showed a bomber jet flying over a group of Arab men on camels.
"Hadji" is a title given to Muslims who have completed a pilgrimage to Mecca.
The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations demanded their removal after learning the fireworks were for sale at Fireworks City in Baldwin, Wis. They were removed late Friday.
The Muslim group has also asked the Missouri-based manufacturer, Red Rhino Fireworks, to remove the product from circulation.
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