Bangladesh blocks Facebook

Bangladesh has blocked access to social networking site Facebook because of content the authorities judge to be blasphemous against the Prophet Mohammed.

Coolcaesar

The ban, which is thought to be temporary, was imposed on Saturday night. It comes after Pakistan blocked the site on 19 May for the same reason. A page was launched called “Everybody Draw Mohammed Day”, prompting demonstrations in Pakistan.

Drawing the prophet of Islam is forbidden in Islam, though not specifically banned in the Koran.

Pakistan has also blocked the video-sharing site YouTube to prevent access to content it judges blasphemous.

Several hundred people demonstrated Friday in the capital Dacca calling for the censorship of Facebook.