'Burn ISIS Flag' challenge sweeping Lebanon

The youth of Lebanon are taking their own stand against the Islamic State, with an online "Burn ISIS Flag" challenge gaining attention on social media.

Images on Twitter and videos on YouTube show groups of people deliberately setting fire to the black flag used by the Islamic State militants as a form of protest against the self-proclaimed caliphate's brutal actions in Iraq and Syria.

Although much of the response to the trend has been positive, those taking part in the challenge have also attracted some criticism.

Middle Eastern news outlet Asarq Al-Awsat have reported Lebanon's justice minister, Ashraf Rifi, called for flag burners to face trial for insulting Islam.

He said his demand had nothing to do with the "terrorist approach" of the Islamic State, but the desecration of the Muslim shahada, or declaration of faith, emblazoned on it.

The words "There is no god but God and Muhammad is his prophet" are written on the flag.

However, other Lebanese MPs criticised Mr Rifi's statement, saying the banner does not represent Islam.

The "black standard" symbol has been a part of Islam since its founding by Muhammad, and the Islamic State are not the first group of self-proclaimed jihadists to make use of a similar symbol.