Justin Bieber was given an apology from an opponent of the Ground Zero mosque, who was taken in by a hoax in which the teen idol was accused of supporting the mosque at the 9/11 site during an interview. Andy Sullivan, founder of the 9-11 Hard Hat Pledge under which construction workers pledge not to help build it, posted an apology on his website.
"It seems a wrong needs to be righted and the fault is my own," Sullivan wrote on his blog.
This followed when Sullivan realized heÂ’d been duped by a post which had appeared on satirical website Celeb Jihad, which claimed the young singer told Tiger Beat magazine that "Muslims should be allowed to build a mosque anywhere they want."
Sullivan gave outraged interviews about his children's reaction to the news that Bieber was in favor of a mosque being built at Ground Zero and urged a boycott against the young singer.
But the interview had never happened. It was a complete hoax, concocted by Celeb Jihad.
"I offer my most genuine apology to Justin Bieber, his family and fans," Sullivan posted. "If I have caused any grief or pain I am terribly sorry."
Justin Bieber has been the target of numerous pranks, including a recent campaign to send the singer to North Korea during his “My World Tour.” This prank was carried out with help from 4chan, Digg, and Reddit users who voted for the country in a contest on Bieber’s tour website.