A worldwide debate over religious sensitivity is brewing after an ad featuring ventriloquist puppet, 'Achmed the Dead Terrorist', was banned.
A ringtone commercial, featuring Jeff Dunham’s puppet was banned in South Africa, following complaints from a Muslim man who had filed that the ad was offensive to the Islamic religion.
Moegamat Khan argued to the South African censor that the character suggested that all Muslims were terrorists.
But Dunham has told Fox News in the US the ban completely misses the point.
"Achmed makes it clear in my act that he is not Muslim, so I'm sorry the gentleman Khan didn't see my entire show," he said.
"I've skewered whites, blacks, Hispanics, Christians, Jews, Muslims, gays, straights, rednecks, addicts, the elderly, and my wife.
"As a standup comic, it is my job to make the majority of people laugh, and I believe that comedy is the last true form of free speech."
He argues that comedy should generally be exempt from such bans.
"I truly believe that laughter can heal many wounds," Dunham said.
"If it would help things, I'm considering renaming Achmed, 'Bill.'"