Washington Post''s obituary on Baghdadi triggers outrage, memes

Tribune Web Desk
Chandigarh, October 28

The Washington Post, a leading publication based in the US, faced a massive backlash on Twitter after it posted an obituary of ISIS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who was declared dead by US President Donald Trump on Sunday.

The publication had posted the obituary titled “Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, austere religious scholar at the helm of Islamic State, dies at 48” on its website.

The Washington Post was called out by a lot of prominent people, including media personalities, for the headline and the need for writing an obituary on Baghdadi.

Interestingly the paper changed the original headline “Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, Islamic State “terrorist-in-chief”, dies at 48” to the controversial one.

The headline resulted in #WaPoDeathNotice and #WashingtonPost trending in several countries, with a deluge of tweets featuring similar “obits” couched in euphemism for well-known criminals — both real and fictional.

Twitter users in India provided their own unique spin on the #WaPoDeathNotice trend, with several references to legendary Bollywood villain Mogambo, who was played by the late Amrish Puri in the 1987 film “Mr India”.

Check out some of the other hilarous #WaPoDeathNotice and #WashingtonPost posts: 

Ajmal Kasab, student, backpacker and biryani connosieur, dies at 25 #WaPoDeathNotices pic.twitter.com/aFrgPUzosG

— Ahmed Shariff (@TheAhmedShariff) October 28, 2019

His Majesty Idi Amin Dada, last king of Scotland, Ugandan revolutionary, scotch connoisseur, gourmand of hominid delights, pioneer of demographic change, inventor of aircraft route diversion politics & champion of African resistance to capitalism dies #WaPoDeathNotices

— Abhijit Iyer-Mitra (@Iyervval) October 28, 2019

Osama bin Laden, father of 23, killed in home invasion #WaPoDeathNotices

— Joe DeVito (@JoeDeVitoComedy) October 27, 2019

These #WaPoDeathNotices [inspired by @washingtonpost headline for obituary of world's most-wanted terrorist, ISIS founder Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi ] are hilarious!

Mine: "Nathuram Godse, eloquent defender of majority rights, passes away in suspended animation at 39". https://t.co/xvuhM1svkU

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 28, 2019

The headline of this “obituary” also marks the death of reason. What are they trying to prove? Being fair to the ISIS chief by highlighting his accomplishments? Appeasement is as dangerous as antagonism & prejudice. #WaPoDeathNotices pic.twitter.com/MNC3nYHtEM

— Palki Sharma (@palkisu) October 28, 2019

Ganesh Gaitonde, a hypothetical God, moon landing expert, chicken lover, nuclear researcher & a son of three loving fathers dies in Mumbai age 45. #WaPoDeathNotices

— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) October 28, 2019

Gabbar Singh, noted Marxist revolutionary, wealth redistributor, folk dance enthusiast, who disarmed the feudal Thakur lords, dies in captivity. #WaPoDeathNotices

— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) October 28, 2019

Bulla, connoisseur of couplets, collector of vitamins, liked to keep it open. Dead at 69 #WaPoDeathNotices pic.twitter.com/NLiG18OQt3

— Shreemi Verma (@shreemiverma) October 28, 2019

Lee Harvey Oswald, gun owner and parade enthusiast, dies at 24. #WaPoDeathNotices

— The Real Phil Anderson (@IlliniPhil) October 28, 2019

Adolf Hitler, dedicated art enthusiast, animal rights activist, and talented orator, dies at 56.#WaPoDeathNotices

— Lauren Chen (@TheLaurenChen) October 28, 2019

Voldemort, austere political reformer and aspiring school teacher, killed by teen terrorist. #WaPoDeathNotices

— Robby Soave (@robbysoave) October 28, 2019

Noted Ivory & Sandalwood Exporter Veerappan also an avid trekker, forest explorer and "Abhinava Robin-hood" killed while en-route to a hospital #WaPoDeathNotices His humble and rooted minimalist lifestyle inspite of all the riches at his disposal is awe inspiring pic.twitter.com/f0npvC86wa

— ನಮ್ Karnataka (@NamKarnataka) October 28, 2019

Mogambo, noted science enthusiast, style icon died at 82 #WaPoDeathNotices pic.twitter.com/1V8aPHCkwd

— tapan kumar (@tapanmoharana) October 28, 2019