I once again curse those who try to sow discord by drawing caricatures of our Prophet Muhammad
Police in Istanbul clashed with protesters after Leman magazine published a cartoon interpreted as depicting the Prophet Muhammad shaking hands with Moses above a war-torn city. The image, released on June 26, sparked outrage among religious conservatives.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated, “I once again curse those who try to sow discord by drawing caricatures of our Prophet Muhammad.” Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunc added, “No freedom allows mocking a religion’s sacred values in such an offensive manner.”
Authorities detained cartoonist D.P. and issued arrest warrants for senior editorial staff. Protesters hurled stones at the magazine’s Istanbul office, prompting police to fire rubber bullets and tear gas.
Leman issued an apology, stating the cartoon aimed to highlight civilian suffering, not mock Islam: “The name Muhammad is among the most widely used. The cartoon does not depict the Prophet.”