In a new offense against Islam and Muslims, the French magazine Charlie Hebdo published an article on Monday, November 27, 2023, addressing “Islam’s persecution of women and Muslim women leaving Islam,” accompanied by a derogatory image of prophets, sparking widespread anger.
The offensive article triggered anger among social media users, expressing their rejection of the disrespect towards Islamic religious symbols. Some urged ignoring the newspaper, emphasizing its intent to provoke Muslims for increased profits.
Algerian journalist Khadija Ben Qena commented, “Charlie Hebdo returns to its old habits… publishing an article that provokes Muslims about Islam’s persecution of women and Muslim women leaving Islam, accompanied by an offensive image titled ‘Prophets,’ showing two ‘prophets’ harassing a woman walking in front of them. This newspaper, whenever its sales plummet, returns to publishing topics about Islam, as usual.”
Responding to Ben Qena’s tweet, a user named Nabil remarked, “This newspaper, whenever its sales plummet, returns to publishing topics about Islam, as usual! Don’t give it attention; they want to divert us from what’s happening in Gaza.”
Another Twitter user, Nasser Misk, questioned, “Isn’t what Charlie Hebdo is doing terrorism, extremism, and the pinnacle of insult?”
Repeated Offenses Against Muslims
It’s worth noting that the French magazine has consistently attacked Islam and Muslims through offensive images and articles. Recently, it published a satirical cartoon mocking millions of earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria. Citizens, politicians, and media figures in Turkey and beyond criticized the cartoon, stating that it “crossed humanitarian boundaries.”
In another incident, the French newspaper published a caricature ridiculing the death of the Syrian child Alan Kurdi, who drowned on the shores of Turkey. This caused outrage on social media, especially since the child had become a symbol of the Syrian refugee crisis.
The satirical magazine has faced threats multiple times, with its editorial offices set on fire. In January 2015, an attack on its headquarters resulted in the deaths of several staff members