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The drawing, published in the weekly satire magazine LeMan, depicts one Muslim and one Jewish figure with wings and halos shaking hands above the war-torn scene.
The cartoon was published initially without widespread incident but was later picked up on social media and went viral four days later, leading to hundreds of people coming onto Istanbul’s main tourist street, chanting religious slogans and calling for sharia law to be instated.
The interior minister, Ali Yerlikaya, branded the cartoon a “provocation” and said that anyone responsible “will be called to account before the judiciary.”
He also stressed the image is "in no way" protected as freedom of expression. The cartoon was also condemned by Fahrettin Altun, the communications director for the Turkish Presidency, who described it as a “vile attack.”
Magazine Stands By Cartoon, Denies Portrayal of Prophet
LeMan issued a statement denying the image depicted the Islamic prophet after the backlash. The character referred to as Mohammed is not intended to represent the Prophet, the magazine said, but rather a cartoon figure that depicts any kind of Muslim civilian who falls victim to the war in Gaza.
“More than 200 million people bear the name Mohammed in the Islamic world,” the magazine said, adding that there is “no intention whatsoever of running down religious feeling.”
LeMan said the cartoon was meant to illustrate the suffering of oppressed Muslims and criticized any who read it as an insult to religion as operating with “extreme malice.” But the publication did apologize to readers who were offended.
Despite the explanation, the Turkish Justice Ministry launched a criminal investigation under Article 216 of the Penal Code on charges of “publicly insulting religious values.” Cartoonists have been featured barefoot and handcuffed in the videos released by the Interior Ministry, which have included captions declaring the satirists would not escape justice.
Protesters Demand Action, Officials Appeal for Calm
The protests became heated as demonstrators converged outside LeMan’s office in Istanbul, banging on doors, kicking them in, and chanting threatening slogans. “For our Prophet, we would give our lives and take lives; no can insult our Prophet,” cried one protester.
Others prayed in the street, adding to the public pressure on authorities.
Istanbul Governor Davut Gul announced several hours later that all four people sought for the cartoon were in custody. He declined to say whether any of the protesters had been arrested, but he said “provocative actions” by a few people within the group had been observed.
With calls escalating for more protests, government officials urged people to go home to ensure public safety and unity were not threatened. More protests are planned for Tuesday as nationwide reaction to the incident roils on.
