Defying the terrorist attack that claimed the lives of 10 of its staff last week, the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo published a special “survivors’ issue” featuring the Prophet Mohammad on the front page, wearing a white turban and holding a card that reads “Je suis Charlie” under the phrase “All is forgiven.”
The two terrorists who attacked the Charlie Hebdo office in Paris on Jan. 7 claimed they were taking revenge for the magazine’s previous publications of Mohammad cartoons. Many Islamic traditions forbid visual depictions of Mohammad and a satirical cartoon would have been considered deeply offensive by many Muslims.
Indeed, there has been a long-running controversy over Charlie Hebdo’s caricatures of Mohammad. In 2006 the magazine was sued over its caricature of Mohammad, a case which it eventually won. In 2011, Charlie Hebdo’s office was firebombed and its website attacked after images of its cover page ― featuring a caricature of Mohammad and titled “Charia Hebdo” in reference to the Sharia law ― circulated on SNS days prior to publication. Each time, the magazine and its supporters rallied around the cause of freedom of expression, despite lingering questions about the magazine’s editorial judgment in publishing provocative cartoons at sensitive junctures.
Yet, nothing can excuse the massacre on Jan. 7 that struck at a core value of French society, a society which prides itself as a torchbearer of “liberty, equality, fraternity” and is looked up to by many for its spirit of tolerance. That is why millions of French people ― the rally was the biggest ever held in Paris ― and other millions around the world on Sunday marched to demonstrate against the killing. An unwavering support for freedom of expression and resolute defiance against terrorist threats were in full display with several world leaders leading the Paris march, their arms linked in solidarity.
Newsrooms around the world debated whether to carry the image of the latest Charlie Hebdo cover. Some have chosen to show the image, while some have decided not to. Yet others have chosen provided links to the Charlie Hebdo cover on their online editions.
Consideration of religious sensitivity was a key factor in the news organizations’ decisions. Those news organizations not republishing the Charlie Hebdo cover most likely did so to avoid offending their audience. The fact that the magazine is a highly irreverent one that makes fun of all religions and claims secularism as an important value does not mean people should not take offense at the magazines cartoons or articles.
Terrorists should know that it is not the fear of terrorist attacks that has prompted some outlets to not republish the cover of the latest Charlie Hebdo. They should realize that last week’s attack has united the people to take a stand against acts of terrorism and that people will continue to live their lives undeterred, enjoying the cherished right to freely express themselves.
