Turkish cartoonists detained over controversial religious satire

Arutz Sheva ^ | 1/7/25 | Elad Benari

[Eleutheria5]

Turkish authorities on Monday detained three cartoonists associated with the weekly magazine Leman following the publication of a satirical drawing that has ignited controversy and drawn condemnation from government officials and religious conservatives, Reuters reported.

The illustration, widely seen as depicting Prophets Moses and Muhammad shaking hands above a scene of conflict, has been interpreted by many as a commentary on religious harmony amidst earthly strife.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya publicly announced the apprehension of cartoonist Dogan Pehlevan, sharing a video on X showing Pehlevan being taken into custody.

"I once again curse those who try to sow discord by drawing caricatures of our Prophet Muhammad," Yerlikaya stated. He added, "The individual who drew this vile image, D.P., has been apprehended and taken into custody. These shameless people will be held accountable before the law." Yerlikaya later posted additional videos showing the forceful detention of two other individuals.

Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc confirmed that an investigation has been launched under Article 216 of the Turkish Penal Code, which criminalizes incitement to hatred and enmity.

Detention orders have reportedly been issued for six people in total.

Leman magazine, in a statement on X, offered an apology to readers who felt offended by the drawing, asserting that the cartoon had been misunderstood. The magazine clarified that Pehlevan's intent was to highlight "the suffering of a Muslim man killed in Israeli attacks," and that there was no intention to insult Islam or its prophet.

.....

[Eleutheria5]

This is another instance of Turkey sucking so bad that it doesn't even have a Topic on Free Republic. I had to list it under the rubric of Foreign.

[Sirius Lee]

drawing caricatures of our Prophet Muhammad," Yerlikaya stated. He added, "The individual who drew this vile image

I agree. The pedo sand pirate was a truly vile human being.

[Eleutheria5]

Erdogan is truly vile. What? You have a problem with truly vile people?/s

[SunkenCiv]

[snip] The illustration, widely seen as depicting Prophets Moses and Muhammad shaking hands above a scene of conflict, has been interpreted by many as a commentary on religious harmony amidst earthly strife. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya publicly announced the apprehension of cartoonist Dogan Pehlevan, sharing a video on X showing Pehlevan being taken into custody. "I once again curse those who try to sow discord by drawing caricatures of our Prophet Muhammad," Yerlikaya stated. [/snip]

[Eleutheria5]

“Yerlikaya” is Turkish for “local rock”. Perfect name for someone who gets his rocks off arresting cartoonists. Also vile.

[Red6]

The problem with censorship and laws like the Turks have is that they ALWAYS end up being interpreted and enforced in one way only.

When you have the Turkish Prime Minister giving speeches that are obviously anti-Semitic and stirring up the masses about Gaza, playing the old “we’re Muslims and we need to stick together card” for his political advantage, that of course is not in violation of their penal code 216. LOL

[Eleutheria5]

South Africa nailed Steve Biko for something similar. His writings allegedly gave black South Africans hope that their condition might change, which would lead to animosity when nothing changed, so he was convicted. The judge was right. The ANC has taken South Africa down a hole, and the resulting animosity is being practiced on white South Africans. But spreading “hatred and prejudice” is everyone’s unfortunate right. It comes along with free speech.

[SunkenCiv]

Local rock, eh? Sweets to the sweet. There must be some loose ones above wherever he happens to be walking at the time.

[Dixie Yooper]

Back in 5th grade, one of my classmates wasn’t paying attention during music class and was drawing a pretty good cartoon character of the teacher. Once the teacher discovered what our classmate was doing, the 45-year-old WWII Veteran, grabbed the kid by his hair and started slapping his face. Hard. For some reason, he didn’t like his character being drawn by the student and lost it. Something tells me that this guy in Turkey is in for more than a face slapping...

[fluorescence]

The offensive cartoon: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GutzuWmWUAAMCKL?format=jpg&name=small

[Eleutheria5]

Those are NOT depicting Moses or Mohammed. The Jewish angel is saying “Hello, son of Muhammed,” and the Muhammedan angel is saying “Hello, son of Moses”. My Turkish is little to none, but “ben” is “son” of in Hebrew, in Arabic it’s “ibn,” which is about the same thing, and I can conjecture that in Turkish it means “son of” as well.

[fluorescence]

Just looking at them, it is surely the Mohammedan one on the left and the Jewish one on the right. “Ben” does seem to translate to “I (am)”, and typing their conversation into Google Translate returns:

“Peace be upon you, I am Muhammad!”
“Peace be upon you, I am Moses”

[Dr. Sivana]

My Turkish is little to none, but “ben” is “son” of in Hebrew, in Arabic it’s “ibn,” which is about the same thing, and I can conjecture that in Turkish it means “son of” as well.

that makes a LOT more sense. The "Son of Moses" is dressed in modern clothing. Also, in cartoon-speak, people who look ordinary, but with wings and halos are often the recently killed. These are likely two men of different faiths, killed as bystanders, greeting each other in the afterlife.

[Eleutheria5]

OK. So if Google Translate says it’s Muhammed and Moses, it must be true. But even if true, BFD.

What would Robin Williams make fun of. Several French cartoonists gave their lives to make fun of Muhammed. If Local Rock arrests cartoonists for exercising their G-d Given right to make fun of stuff, well, then Local Rock is a d!ck-head.