BMW 's new ad sparked outrage on social media for insulting the United Arab Emirate's national anthem. Users called for a ban of the ad by creating the hashtag # ايقاف_اعلان_bmw , which translates to #suspend_bmw_ads.
The commercial shows the UAE's Al Ain Football Club cutting its recital of the national anthem short and walking out of the field to take advantage of BMW's latest model.
People on social media asked for the ad to be banned and described it as "insulting" to UAE citizens, the national anthem and the football team.
"The commercial insinuates that BMW thinks their cars are more important than the national anthem and football game. Does anyone have any other explanation?"
People also stated that the sovereignty of the country comes from respecting everything that concerns it.
"This ugly commercial has no meaning and insults the national anthem. We will not keep quiet until it gets removed #ايقاف_اعلان_bmw... The sovereignty of the country and everything that concerns it should be respected."
"The value of the national anthem does not amount to commercial marketing because it holds loyalty, prosperity and devotion and with it, we say long live this country #ايقاف_اعلان_bmw"
He also adds that we should no doubt investigate and hold the people responsible in charge, and make them apologize to the UAE people.
Some people even went on to blame the football players themselves for acting the part instead of opposing the ad.
"Don't the people who acted in this commercial have brains? Nobody stood up and told them they refuse to interrupt the national anthem? #ايقاف_اعلان_bmw
Others didn't blame the players and team but instead, went on to blame those responsible for the ad itself, especially those in charge
"The team players and the club\team aren't responsible for the commercial at all. What happens during the shoot is something and what happens in the montage is something else. #ايقاف_اعلان_bmw"
Some were surprised that neither the board of the Abu Dhabi sports council nor the Al Ain FC commented on the questions that were asked.
"How is it possible that the commercial reached everyone except the board of Abu Dhabi Sports council and the account of Al-Ain FC? #ايقاف_اعلان_bmw"
Others saw that the national anthem as to great to be insulted.
"The national anthem is bigger than being insulted. The insult should be directed at the person responsible for the ad and whomever accepted to create it."
BMW has since pulled the ad due to the widespread complaints.
This article was originally published in Arabic on YallaFeed .
