Prophet cartoons in French magazine add fire to Muslim fury

20 September, 2012

Close on the heels of violent protests over 'The Innocence of Muslims' movie produced in the United States ridiculing the prophet Muhammad, comes the disturbing news of the publication of the caricatures of the Prophet in a French weekly magazine.

CONDEMNING THE act of the magazine as irresponsible, the French government had asked the owners to withdraw the provocative caricatures but they refused to do so.

Due to the fury against the film in the Islamic world and fearing a backlash, the French government has directed its embassies, consulates, cultural centers in about 20 countries to remain closed on Friday as a precautionary measure.

Reportedly, the magazine publishers, calling themselves a 'defenders of free speech' and a 'denouncer of religious backwardness' maintained that caricatures are meant to satirize the video and the violence in its wake.

The French Council of the Muslim Faith has strongly condemned the cartoons and warned that they could exacerbate violent protest against the western countries.

It needs to be noted that Muslims consider any irreverent behavior toward the Prophets, religious artifacts, customs, and beliefs as blasphemy. In Islam, the penalties for blasphemy can include fines, imprisonment, flogging, amputation, hanging, or beheading.