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Jihad Watch

Exposing the role that Islamic jihad theology and ideology play in the modern global conflicts

AFDI Inaugural Muhammad Cartoon Exhibit and $10,000 Contest #JeSuisCharlie

Feb 11, 2015 4:23 pm By Robert Spencer

drawmuhammadfinal700Pamela Geller has the story:

“To stand in silence when they should be protesting makes cowards out of men.” Abraham Lincoln

Last Monday, a Muslim mob in Pakistan that was protesting against the Charlie Hebdo cartoons of Muhammad forced open the gates of a Christian school, smashed windows, destroyed property, and demanded that the school be closed. This followed demonstrations in which tens of thousands of Muslims in Pakistan demanded that the West adopt Sharia blasphemy laws. 800,000 demonstrated against free speech in Chechnya. Muslim mobs in Niger set 45 churches on fire in their rage against the actions.

Meanwhile, a carnival in Germany canceled plans for a Charlie Hebdo float. A cartoon museum in Belgium canceled plans for a Charlie Hebdo tribute. An art museum in Paris removed an artwork from exhibit after Muslim threats. This stunning cowardice proves, yet again, that it hardly ends with cartoons. It begins there. The West is giving these savages the ultimate power over us. They seek to control what we say, what we think, and how we live.

And we are giving them that power.

This is how France responds after Charlie Hebdo jihad massacre? Shameful.

It’s time the free world said Enough is enough.

These savages need to be held to account, and the West has to stop this pathetic cowardice and submission to barbarity. They’re just cartoons. Enough already. The Muslim world has stop imposing its savagery on the non-Muslim and secular Muslim world.

It’s time to stand up.

That’s why my organization, the human rights advocacy group the American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI), will be holding a contest for cartoons of Muhammad, and an exhibit of Muhammad cartoons this May in Garland, Texas.

The contest will be online, with entries posted at the AFDI website. The winning cartoon will be announced at the May 3 cartoon exhibit in Garland. The winning cartoonist will be awarded a $10,000 prize.

The cartoon exhibit will feature images of Islam’s prophet, both historic and contemporary, and speeches by leading voices of freedom and internationally renowned free speech advocates. Also speaking will be brave artists who are unbowed by violent threats and determined to stand for the freedom of speech.

The exhibit will be held at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland on Sunday, May 3. This was the site of a Muslim conference denouncing ‘Islamophobia’ — an obscene stand for them to take after the Charlie Hebdo massacre – and our massive Free Speech Rally outside that event. The Muslim event was held in a hall owned by the local school district. When asked why they allowed that event on their premises, they answered that their hall was open to anyone who wished to rent it. So we are renting it for our Muhammad Cartoon Exhibit.

Curtis Culwell Center officials are keeping a very close watch on this event. They have demanded that they approve each ad for this event — the ad above was approved. But we have to run every ad flier by them for approval before putting it out.

The Cartoon Exhibit was a logical next step following AFDI’s Free Speech Rally in Garland. This new event will stand for free speech and show that Americans will not be cowed by violent Islamic intimidation. That is a crucial stand to take as Islamic assaults on the freedom of speech, our most fundamental freedom, are growing more insistent.

After the Charlie Hebdo massacre – and after the violent Muhammad cartoon riots a few years ago – there should have been Cartoon Exhibits all over the free world, to show the Islamic jihadis (and their stealth allies in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other Muslim groups that are doing all they can to intimidate the West into abandoning the freedom of speech) that we will not kowtow to violent intimidation. But there were no such exhibits. The free world was ready to submit to the savage enslavers.

But we aren’t. We know the risks. Of course, this event will require massive security. But this exhibit has to be staged. If we don’t show the jihadis that they will not frighten us into silence, the jihad against freedom will only grow more virulent.

And we hope that this event will give others the courage to stand up as well, and show the world that they aren’t going to submit to this savagery. Otherwise, it is no exaggeration to say that all will be lost.

Please help us pay the massive security costs and other expenses involved in this all-important event: contribute here.

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Filed Under: American Freedom Defense Initiative, anti-dhimmitude, Featured, free speech, Muhammad cartoons Tagged With: Charlie Hebdo, Pamela Geller


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Comments

  1. Salah says

    Feb 11, 2015 at 4:50 pm

    How to draw Muhammad…”halal”

    http://crossmuslims.blogspot.com/2010/05/drawing-muhammad-dessiner-mahomet.html

  2. Peter Buckley says

    Feb 11, 2015 at 4:55 pm

    May Allah grant you success…..just like he granted success to the Crusaders……and to the establishment of the State of Israel. Remember, it is Islamic belief that all events are WILLED BY ALLAH. That includes the above two historical events. Do muslims understand IRONY?

  3. gravenimage says

    Feb 11, 2015 at 5:03 pm

    I am *so excited* by this!!

    Here are some of my Mohammed cartoons:

    Muhammed raping poor little 9-year-old Aisha on her wedding night (Warning: graphic image!):

    http://s478.photobucket.com/user/gravenimageartist/media/AishasWedding-1.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0&_suid=142369170865008088001112919301

    Muhammed’s beheading of the men of the Banu Quraza tribe:

    http://s478.photobucket.com/user/gravenimageartist/media/BanuQurayza.jpg.html?sort=3&o=2&_suid=142369180400709371484362054616

    There were up to 900 victims.

    The “Prophet” leering over little Aisha on her swing:

    http://s478.photobucket.com/user/gravenimageartist/media/JWswing.jpg.html?sort=3&o=3&_suid=142369189346906996441467199475

    I have more planned for the show.

    I hope there is a *huge* turnout for this show.

    Kudos to the bravery of AFDI and of those running the venue for this show.

    Je Suis Charlie!

    • Mo says

      Feb 11, 2015 at 7:27 pm

      Well done, Gravenimage!

      I wish I could attend this event!

      • Georg says

        Feb 11, 2015 at 7:54 pm

        These seem to be of the 12-year old Aisha. Of course Rezali doesn’t even appreciate your restraint.

        • gravenimage says

          Feb 11, 2015 at 11:20 pm

          These are of the 9-year-old Aisha, Georg. I deliberately made he a fairly mature-looking nine, so I couldn’t be accused by Mohammedans of making her look too young. Not that this has stopped Muslims from being “offended” for anyone criticizing the “Prophet’s” pedophilia and rape, of course.

        • Champ says

          Feb 12, 2015 at 3:56 am

          “Violent? Me?!”

          http://www.barenakedislam.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/1013-soutiench-glez.gif

    • Champ says

      Feb 12, 2015 at 3:53 am

      Brava, Graven!

      • gravenimage says

        Feb 12, 2015 at 11:38 pm

        Thank you, Champ! I’m very busy right now on more work for this show!

        • Champ says

          Feb 13, 2015 at 1:12 am

          Awesome, Graven!

  4. Rezali Mehil says

    Feb 11, 2015 at 5:03 pm

    Hello Graven….

    So this it …here is your calling …you miserable cow…put your drawings in there …win that $10K prize and choke on the money ….go on …wench …do it and don’t cower away.

    More Later…..

    Rezali

    • Angemon says

      Feb 11, 2015 at 5:22 pm

      Isn’t it wonderful to see how “respectful” shiites like Rezali are?

      For the sake of honesty, I can’t rule out the chance, however small it may be, that Rezali is simply butthurt from the notion that gravenimage, a kaffir, will take the prize for drawing Rezali’s perfect man, as opposed to a muslim artist.

      Take a deep breath, Rezali… The Cartoon Exhibit is coming, whether you like it or not… And it would be better for you to just accept it… Better yet, embrace it wholeheartedly… Go see it for yourself… You might like what you see… Most people there will be non-muslims… Put your money where your mouth is, and go there, in behalf of your “salt and pepper” approach…

      More later…

      Or not…

    • mariam rove says

      Feb 11, 2015 at 5:24 pm

      Hi rezali! Glad you are back!! I my self will be entering this contest! I am going to draw the following:

      1- Muhammad raping and sodomizing a 9 year old girl! Remember Aisha?
      2- Muhammad raping a dead woman. Remember he got caught and he said it is ok to f.. a dead woman up to a few hours after his death?
      2- Muhammad f… a goat!
      Muhammad f… a camel!
      Muhammad drinking camel piss!!
      Muhammad slaughtering innocent jews!!!
      Did I forget anything? M

      • Joseph says

        Feb 11, 2015 at 6:58 pm

        Shame on mariam, you made me laugh soooo hard I almost peed in my pants.
        I am still laughing as I write this, Sorry for typos.
        Thank you very much, YOU HAVE MADE MY DAY!!!!!

      • JamesonRocks says

        Feb 11, 2015 at 9:54 pm

        Outstanding Mariam! How about one of big mo frying up a pound of bacon?

      • Mo says

        Feb 12, 2015 at 3:54 am

        Je Sui Mohammad
        Je Sui Pedophil

      • duh_swami says

        Feb 12, 2015 at 4:20 am

        Be careful you don’t run into child pornography laws.

      • Mirren10 says

        Feb 12, 2015 at 12:12 pm

        ”Did I forget anything? M”

        mohammed slobbering all over Khadija’s thighs ?

        Kissing his grandson’s penis ?

        🙂

        I hope your son is better, Mariam. Best wishes.

    • Mo says

      Feb 11, 2015 at 5:24 pm

      @Rezali Mehil

      “Hello Graven….
      So this it …here is your calling …you miserable cow…put your drawings in there …win that $10K prize and choke on the money ….go on …wench …do it and don’t cower away.
      More Later…..
      Rezali”

      You filthy mouthed, nasty creature. Is this how your “god” Allah wants you to behave?

      Know that you will NEVER silence us from telling the truth about your warlord, child rapist prophet. Know that! I only wish I knew how to draw so I could participate in this contest.

      What are you going to do to those contestants? Hm?

      • paul says

        Feb 12, 2015 at 5:40 pm

        razli…. OUR GOD IS THE GREATEST OUR GOD IS LORD OF ALL THE UNIVERSE OUR GOD WILL DESTROY SATAN=ISLAM…
        .JESUS>………. IS-HIS-LAMB THE LAM-B OF GOD .
        ..MARK LUCK AND JOHN CHAPTER 55,VES 67 CHAPTER 54 VES 87

        SUCKER

    • gravenimage says

      Feb 11, 2015 at 6:42 pm

      It’s the vicious Rezali Mehil. I really got to her when I showed what the rape of a little 9-year-old kid by Muslims’ “perfect man” *would actually look like*—despite her claims that the pedophilic rape of this poor child was “ordained by Allah SWT”.

    • George says

      Feb 11, 2015 at 7:06 pm

      Learn some manners, Rezali.

    • Georg says

      Feb 11, 2015 at 7:36 pm

      Rezali Mehil
      n 1: a coarse obnoxious person [syn: slob, sloven, pig,]
      2: intractable, progressive, contagious ailment resultant of grandparent mistaking paint chips for curry.

      OH HAIIIIIIIIII REZALI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *KISS KISS*
      WELL, HELLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOO REZALBEZALSCHMEZALHEZZLECHEZZLE!!!

    • Champ says

      Feb 12, 2015 at 3:07 am

      Hey here’s a cartoon of “rezali mehil” with her family …

      https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS6nS_O9yyuo836oVr4RulFedwBlkW3gpLaHovGEgrBLVgb1EY0

      😀

      • pumbar says

        Feb 12, 2015 at 11:52 pm

        Nowhere near enough of them!

    • duh_swami says

      Feb 12, 2015 at 4:16 am

      Rezali…Miserable cow?? Haha…Did that come off the top of your head or did you have to think about it for a week or two?

    • paul says

      Feb 12, 2015 at 5:31 pm

      reazil..dirty shit head twat

    • Champ says

      Feb 12, 2015 at 6:37 pm

      rm wrote:

      “you miserable cow”

      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

      This kind of ugliness is what we’ve come to expect from nasty mohammedans–evil in, evil out!

  5. Mirren10 says

    Feb 11, 2015 at 5:17 pm

    *How* I wish I could draw ! I would enter this contest in a heartbeat.

    Since I can’t, I have donated. More power to your elbow, Pamela ! Let’s show these scum that free people will never be intimidated into bowing to their foul ‘prophet’. mohammed ? Piss be upon him !

    • pumbar says

      Feb 11, 2015 at 10:54 pm

      Does it have to be drawings? Like your last line says you could put a figurine of mo in a bottle, fill it with camel urine and exhibit as the “Piss prophet” (pbumh)?

  6. William Johnson says

    Feb 11, 2015 at 5:18 pm

    I hereby declare that I will enter the Moohammad Cartoon Contest. If anyone thinks they might be able to win this contest without trying very hard, guess again. Anyone who enters this contest will be competing with ME – so good luck – you will need it. I intent to become the greatest Muhammad cartoonist the world has ever known.

    • gravenimage says

      Feb 11, 2015 at 6:29 pm

      Well, I know of a William Johnson who was a famous artist, but you must be some other guy. All I can say is bring it on!

      Actually, it’s great to know that there are now artists out there competing for greatest MoToon artist of all time. This is, in fact, *exactly* what we need. I hope this show sees entrants from all over the world!

  7. mortimer says

    Feb 11, 2015 at 5:19 pm

    What will the Pakistanis destroy if the cartoonist is an atheist?

    There are no atheists allowed in Pakistan and no atheist associations!

    • Georg says

      Feb 11, 2015 at 8:41 pm

      My money’s on whitey consulates. Oh, and their own property and each other– to really teach us!!

    • pumbar says

      Feb 11, 2015 at 10:56 pm

      Local Philosophy departments (if there are any left in that hellhole).

  8. gerard says

    Feb 11, 2015 at 5:44 pm

    “800,000 demonstrated against free speech”
    800,000 exercised free speech….

    • Georg says

      Feb 11, 2015 at 8:50 pm

      Lest me help you with that…

      gerard says

      February 11, 2015 at 5:44 pm

      “800,000 demonstrated against free speech”
      800,000 excised free speech….

  9. Francis Merde says

    Feb 11, 2015 at 5:48 pm

    I hate to break this to you, but the internet already 1upped you. A guy on the Encyclopedia Dramatica forums made a sex simulator game featuring Muhammad in the wake of Charlie Hebdo. Osama Bin Laden also makes a guest appearance as on of the sex partners.

    https://forum.encyclopediadramatica.se/threads/muhammad-sex-simulator-2015.20336/

    • gravenimage says

      Feb 11, 2015 at 6:18 pm

      It’s not about “one upping”, Francis. All power to this guy, to Jyllands Posten, to Charlie Hebdo, to Lars Vilks, to Molly Norris, to Derek Devereau, and to *everyone else* who stands for freedom of speech by drawing Muhammed.

      Including, by the way, the artist on that witty poster for the AFDI event. Here’s the reference work—Norman Rockwell’s famous self-portrait:

      http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQEo0g4wmz9UjRZpaXMfc9iFbELkbQdtU6DgPOCS-MtZqjYGJSOqAZMhbc

      That this is the “Prophet” Muhammed, who banned images of any humans—let alone himself—makes this all the funnier. Bravo!

      • mo says

        Feb 11, 2015 at 7:51 pm

        I really love that picture in the ad! I wonder if it’s for sale anywhere? If it was affordable, I’d buy it poster sized!

        • gravenimage says

          Feb 11, 2015 at 11:36 pm

          I agree, Mo! I blew the image way up, and found the signature—Big Fur Hat. I’ve seen his work before—excellent stuff.

          Here’s more about him from The American Thinker:

          http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2012/05/big_fur_hat_gets_his_own_site.html

          Unfortunately, the site they link to has been taken over by spam. Hopefully BFH himself is still active, though.

        • Mo says

          Feb 11, 2015 at 11:41 pm

          @ Gravenimage

          “I agree, Mo! I blew the image way up, and found the signature—Big Fur Hat. I’ve seen his work before—excellent stuff.

          Here’s more about him from The American Thinker:

          http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2012/05/big_fur_hat_gets_his_own_site.html

          Unfortunately, the site they link to has been taken over by spam. Hopefully BFH himself is still active, though.”

          Cool, thanks!

  10. Alarmed Pig Farmer says

    Feb 11, 2015 at 6:03 pm

    This stunning cowardice proves…

    … that we’d better get used to it for the long haul. The timid “protestors” in Paris said I Am Charlie Hebdo, and Charlie is being packed away in the attic trunk to avoid trouble. How fitting.

  11. Joe98 says

    Feb 11, 2015 at 7:02 pm

    O
    —– |—–
    |
    / \

  12. Joe98 says

    Feb 11, 2015 at 7:39 pm

    Clearly I cant win this contest!

  13. TheBuffster says

    Feb 11, 2015 at 8:15 pm

    Wow! The art for the advertisement for this contest is *brilliant*!

    I woke up this morning with what I thought was a great idea for protesting Muslim protests against freedom of speech and those offal demonstrations against Israel where Muslims hold signs that say “Hitler should have finished the job”, etc., and so I come over here to post my idea and find this bombshell of a contest… makes my idea seem lame.

    By the way, I tried to donate some money for contest security, but kept getting an error message. Four times. Anybody else have that trouble?

    • gravenimage says

      Feb 13, 2015 at 2:40 pm

      I’d still like to hear your idea, Buffster.

      • TheBuffster says

        Feb 17, 2015 at 8:06 pm

        Eh, well, I woke up and started thinking about all those demonstrations where Muslims hold up signs saying “Hitler was right” and “Behead those who mock the prophet of Islam”, etc., and my imagination rained down on them a confetti of flyers of sayings of other prophets and holy men from other religions showing how freakin’ much bigger those prophets were than this kill-those-who-mock the Prophet and his bloodthirsty god.

        So I thought about that. You could add in a hadith showing how Mohammad gave his blessing to those who murdered people who mocked him. Make the contrast.

        Print up those flyers and have them ready. When you hear that such a demo is going on in your city, get some friends and hand them out to passersby. Or if you can get to a place above the crowd, let them rain down like confetti over the heads of the Muslims. You might even make separate, small bits of paper with sayings from different prophets on them for the confetti assault.

        Eh, it was just one of those things a person comes up with while lying in bed in the morning.

  14. katnis says

    Feb 11, 2015 at 11:13 pm

    I’ve always longed for Mo to be featured in South Park, right alongside Jesus, Santa, and the Dalai Lama. I heard the South Park Mo exists but was strong-armed out of the episodes. South Park Mo would be a treat to see, naturally followed by the mega Broadway hit “Book of koran.” (snicker snicker)

    • TheBuffster says

      Feb 12, 2015 at 2:19 am

      I thought Mohammad did appear in South Park, but disguised in a bear suit.

    • gravenimage says

      Feb 13, 2015 at 2:54 pm

      You’re right, Buffster. The threat to the South Park guys over their silly Muhammed-in-a-bear-suit—Muhammed was never shown at all—was what inspired Seattle cartoonist Molly Norris to suggest “Everybody Draw Muhammed Day”. Her idea was that if enough people drew Muhammed then Muslims couldn’t threaten us all.

      Of course, she had to change her name and go into hiding when the FBI told her they could not protect her from Muslim death threats. By the way, she never drew Muhammed either. Her gentle cartoon featured everyday items such as purses and coffee pots, with a caption asking if any of those drawings were pictures of Muhammed.

      This is why I do my Anti-Jihad art under a pseudonym.

      This is still a hazardous undertaking—this is why I am so impressed by this brick-and-mortar show in Garland, Texas—especially since the site was chosen because Mohammedans are having a ‘protect our prophet’ conclave there.

      Again, kudos to AFDI and everyone involved.

      • TheBuffster says

        Feb 15, 2015 at 1:54 am

        “Protect Our Prophet”.

        That’s a strange idea to me. Maybe it’s because I was brought up on the “sticks and stones” idea. It seems to me an insult to a god or a prophet to believe that he needs protecting. I mean, if the prophet is *alive* and is in physical danger, sure, protect away. But a dead prophet or a Mighty God doesn’t need to be protected by outlawing or physically attacking those who criticise or mock them. All you do by initiating force against critics and mockers is to emphasize the weakness of your case for your sacred beings and texts.

        An idea, a prophet, a god, a religion that is brimming with truth and The Good can easily be defended by proclaiming that truth so that all people of good will can be attracted to it, and the rest can go their own way. Let the mockers mock. It’s not pleasant, but a grownup who is confident of the rightness of his convictions is more likely to feel pity or contempt for the mockers. Somebody like Jesus tells his followers to *pray* for such people, so that they will find their way to the light.

        Making it illegal to mock pretty much ruins the spiritual value of making the “right” spiritual choice of one’s own free will.

        Imagine a god so petty and mean that he wants his devotees to have tantrums like wee children or murder like touchy, psychopathic thugs when people mock his prophet or himself. That’s a very *little* god, urging his worshipers to behave like the most childish or most lowly of creatures. That’s not a god big enough to worship.

        It also shows a profound lack of benevolent imagination by the god, the prophet, and the followers.

  15. dumbledoresarmy says

    Feb 11, 2015 at 11:23 pm

    I hope ex-Muslim graphic artist Bosch Fawstin will be entering the contest.

    And has anyone alerted “Dry Bones” (Yaakov Kirschen)? I hope *he* has a go.

    • gravenimage says

      Feb 13, 2015 at 2:59 pm

      I’ll let Bosch know about this contest in case he hasn’t seen this, DDA.

  16. JamesonRocks says

    Feb 11, 2015 at 11:33 pm

    I can’t draw, but how about a picture of big mo and Cat Stevens singing a duet…

  17. Champ says

    Feb 12, 2015 at 2:11 am

    mohammad (perdition be upon him) the false prophet! …

    http://www.altareektv.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Mohammed-the-False-Prophet.jpg

  18. Baucent says

    Feb 12, 2015 at 2:58 am

    An interesting idea. But something tells me that the Curtis Culwell Center will be unexpectedly “Closed for maintenance” on May 3. Sorry folks.

  19. duh_swami says

    Feb 12, 2015 at 4:29 am

    I’m certain that Pamela has set standards for the art work…People tempted to show rape scenes of Aisha could run into child pornography laws. The venue could be charged with displaying child porn…I’m sure Pam is aware of this.

  20. Patncats says

    Feb 12, 2015 at 8:49 am

    Of course I’m entering! Let us all cooperate in being the finest in drawings in satire and derision upon the Psychopathic Mohammed! And I had 3 years of portrait art classes! Not that I’ll be using that skill or talent for Mohammed. This could camp into a book by ACLJ and be the worlds best seller!

  21. LinMA says

    Feb 12, 2015 at 6:42 pm

    I am a professional illustrator. I teach illustration and graphic design.

    Cartooning is illustration. Illustration is visual communication. A cartoon should tell a story; it should be a visual message. A cartoon is successful if the story communicates an idea or message and is readily understood by viewers. Certainly, a cartoon or illustration can be provocative, but it should be provocative by pushing the viewer to think about a specific idea or ideas. A cartoon or illustration is not successful as visual communication if it is provocative only so much as to cause offense or insult without any message. That’s nothing more than cursing someone out with a picture.

    “Fine” art – figurative, objective or abstract art – is different from illustration. The artist expresses his/her personal emotional or visceral feelings about the subject matter and leaves the interpretation entirely up to the viewer. Each viewer will have their own unique thoughts and response.

    Some of the ideas for cartoons in these comments are off base, and are not good ideas for cartoons. They are nothing more than visual insults of some tenets or customs of Islam (without real depth of knowledge) or simply insults of the Prophet Muhammad’s life story. An example is the proposal to show Muhammad raping [his second wife] Aisha. Is there really a visual message there, or is the intent just to offend, shock and insult?

    Everybody reacts very badly when they feel they have been deliberately insulted or offended. Think this through, people.

    Then do some research about your idea and think harder about saying something actually important or relevant with your cartoon. Luz’s [Renald Luzier] cover cartoon on the “survivor” issue of Charlie Hebdo was very provocative; it provoked viewers to think about who was saying “All is forgiven” about what. That’s what made it powerful.

    • Mo says

      Feb 12, 2015 at 7:22 pm

      @ LinMA

      You have some good points here, but you seem to be missing the main one.

      “They are nothing more than visual insults of some tenets or customs of Islam (without real depth of knowledge) or simply insults of the Prophet Muhammad’s life story.”

      The “prophet” Mohammad’s life story is, in itself full of vile acts.

      ” An example is the proposal to show Muhammad raping [his second wife] Aisha. Is there really a visual message there, or is the intent just to offend, shock and insult?”

      The fact that you don’t consider an old man raping a child is offensive, shocking and insulting in and of itself speaks volumes here.

      “Everybody reacts very badly when they feel they have been deliberately insulted or offended. ”

      Oh, really? Can you show me where there are Jews, Christians, Buddhists, Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses or anybody else doing what Muslims do every time there’s a cartoon or a movie or a book or a speech they don’t like? Show it to me.

      I’m a Christian and my religion is insulted and offended on a DAILY basis. In fact, I knew nothing of Charlie Hebdo until this recent attack, and then learned of the truly vile, pornographic cartoon they did regarding Christianity. Did I kill anyone over it? Did any other Christian do so?

      “Think this through, people.”

      I think you are the one who needs to do that.

      “Then do some research about your idea and think harder about saying something actually important or relevant with your cartoon. Luz’s [Renald Luzier] cover cartoon on the “survivor” issue of Charlie Hebdo was very provocative; it provoked viewers to think about who was saying “All is forgiven” about what. That’s what made it powerful.”

      I’m all for thoughtful and good art over mindless and poor art. But that’s not the point here.

      The point is that even if it’s crappy art or insulting art, no one has the right to murder people over it.

      • Georg says

        Feb 12, 2015 at 9:04 pm

        @LinMA

        I hope you’re not suggesting Mohammad having sex with a 9-year old is offensive, because that would be offensive to 1.5 billion people. Wouldn’t wanna do that, eh?

        Do you think it’d be offensive to show a picture of the holocaust?

        Is offending someone necessarily bad?

        There was a time when people in the US were quite offended by black patrons. What should they have done with their offense?

        With all due respect, I don’t think you understand the issue. Raping a 9-year old is unmeasurably more offensive than acknowledging it.

        • Joseph says

          Feb 12, 2015 at 11:47 pm

          I can see both your points very clearly. BOTH are valid. On the one hand a graphic rape in one persons eyes becomes pornography and is as guilty as the offender. On the other hand if we sweep it under the rug, hope it goes away and in all actuality we are condoning the act, we are as guilty as the offender
          This one is like walking on eggshells.
          Nice points both of you brought up.

      • LinMA says

        Feb 13, 2015 at 4:49 pm

        “I am not young enough to know everything.” -Oscar Wilde

        Calm down, everybody. The anonymity of the internet enables some people to be rude, hostile, and bully total strangers when those same people would never say those same things directly to someone’s face. Please try to have a discussion without vitriol. It is possible to disagree without being disagreeable.

        Commentary and critique are not criticism. Criticizing an idea or critiquing your work is not criticizing you as a person.

        Read my comment again, carefully. Work on your reading comprehension. I never said that pedophilia or rape are not offensive, nor did I endorse those actions. My comment was about cartooning as visual communication and the topic of this particular contest.

        It is historical fact that Muhammad’s second wife, Aisha, was a child bride. Sadly, arranged marriages of children were very common at that time in the Middle East (he was not unique) and other parts of the world. And sadly, that practice continues in some cultures even now, but not only by Muslims and certainly not all Muslims are pedophiles or marry little girls. Do not misread this statement of facts as my condoning pedophilia; I am not.

        What is the purpose of expressing your offense over Muhammad raping Aisha by creating an offensive cartoon deliberately intended to offend all Muslims alive today [because The Prophet Muhammad won’t see it; he’s been dead a long time]? Is your point to discredit the entire religion by showing what we already know – that Muhammad had a child bride, or blaming all Muslims for what Muhammad did, or to try to convince Muslims to leave their faith [they won’t]? Isn’t that just a deliberate insult aimed at millions of people who can’t change what that man did in the 7th Century? Is your point to express your hatred of Islam and all Muslims… under the guise of your First Amendment right to free speech? Would you do the same with Judaism, Christianity, or any other religion for a human rights advocacy event? How does expressing your personal hatred of Islam contribute to the AFDI event about free speech? Hatred spurred the murders to begin with, why continue the vicious cycle?

        If you want to kick that hornets’ nest, go ahead. I predict from professional experience that your work will likely be rejected and not displayed.

        (BTW, Joseph Smith did the same thing in the 19th century in the US. Why not depict him too and insult all Mormons while you’re at it?)

        We’re not discussing and debating theology here. No, I am not defending the acts of terrorists [of any ilk]. However, the Torah, the New Testament, the Qur’an and a number of other holy books of other faiths all include stories of atrocities, murder, adultery, polygamy, etc. Some sects of organized religions have moved beyond the literal edicts of those stories. THAT is a great message for a cartoon!

        “Can you show me where there are Jews, Christians, Buddhists, Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses or anybody else doing what Muslims do every time there’s a cartoon or a movie or a book or a speech they don’t like? Show it to me. I’m a Christian and my religion is insulted and offended on a DAILY basis. In fact, I knew nothing of Charlie Hebdo until this recent attack, and then learned of the truly vile, pornographic cartoon they did regarding Christianity. Did I kill anyone over it? Did any other Christian do so? ” THIS is also a terrific message to express in a cartoon!

        Cartoons do not necessarily have to be funny. They can be serious, critical, confrontational, ironic, or sad, too. Parody and satire does not necessarily have to be funny.

        Some illustrators express their visual message entirely in the image. I suggest you look at Ralph Steadman’s work. Here’s a great interview he recently gave Newsweek about the Charlie Hebdo attack and offensive cartoons:
        “Ralph Steadman on Charlie Hebdo, the Right to Offend and Changing the World” http://www.newsweek.com/2015/01/30/ralph-steadman-right-offend-299367.html

        Some cartoonist use very simple imagery and express their message with clever writing. Look at the British comic strip “Jesus and Mo” http://www.jesusandmo.net/

        The Observer.com 1/10/2015 posted an interview with American underground comic artist Robert Crumb, who has lived in France for 25 years. http://observer.com/2015/01/legendary-cartoonist-robert-crumb-on-the-massacre-in-paris/

        Some of you have gone off course, which was my point about the Aisha rape idea. Look at the top of this webpage: The American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI), a human rights advocacy group, is holding a cartoon contest with the image of The Prophet Muhammad in response to the issues of Freedom of Speech and the recent murders at the Paris weekly newspaper Charlie Hebdo.

        The French cartoonists and staff were murdered because the Kouachi brothers believed they had blasphemed. Who makes the judgment call about what is offensive or blasphemous? Is any drawing or cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad blasphemy? Including images created by non-Muslims? Is blasphemy a disrespectful, offensive, sacrilegious or irreverent act, speech or image made by anyone, even someone who is not a follower or believer of that religion? If you don’t believe those things to be sacred that you treat with irreverence (you’re a non-believer), are your actions really blasphemy? Or are you simply criticizing, lampooning, or merely referencing? THESE are all great ideas for a cartoon.

        The basis of the prohibition of the figurative representation of the Prophet Muhammad has been interpreted from passages in the Hadith; it’s not in the Qur’an. Was the intent to prevent blasphemy by unflattering or critical artistic depiction? To prevent idol worship? Nobody worships a cartoon. Or perhaps it’s just a cultural practice preached by imams in particular cultures? THESE are some good ideas for cartoons.

        Did you know that figurative representations of the Prophet Muhammad were created in Islamic art in the 13th Century and in Persian art in the 15th Century?

        “The point is that even if it’s crappy art or insulting art, no one has the right to murder people over it.” YES!!! THIS is also a great idea for a cartoon. And it has nothing to do with rape.

        Atheist philosopher and author Sam Harris commented about the subsequent self-censorship that has followed the terrorist attacks in Paris on his blog in a podcast. Podcast topic After Charlie Hebdo and Other Thoughts 1/21/2015 http://www.samharris.org/blog/item/after-charlie-hebdo-and-other-thoughts Very intriguing and thought provoking commentary, I urge you to listen [the first 14 minutes]. Harris, of course, is neither a cartoonist nor a publisher.

        • Mirren10 says

          Feb 14, 2015 at 1:02 pm

          gravenimage, in her inimitable way, has answered you courteously, but definitively.

          I, however, am going to answer you very discourteously.

          Quite frankly, both your posts are waffling, meretricious apologist crap, purporting to be oh so nuanced and tolerant.

          Not once do you attempt to get to grips with the point, which is that **no-one**, repeat, **no-one** has the right, reason, or excuse to **murder** anyone else because they feel ‘offended’. Not for **any reason whatever**, ever.

          The fact that you cannot grasp this elementary keystone of free speech shows you for what you are; a silly, vapid little leftard Islamic apologist would be intellectual, who thinks that by padding out your nonsense with a stream of long winded verbiage you will appear to be clever, intellectual, tolerant, nuanced, and whatever other claptrap of the day pseudo intellectuals like you are peddling.

          As for the interviews with the two cartoonists you link to; they, as well as yourself, show themselves up for what they are – pusillanimous and cowardly, who have neither the moral or intellectual courage to **unequivocally** condemn these bloody murderers for what they are, or to condemn the cowards who have been busily self-censoring themselves ever since.

          gravenimage has the courtesy to suggest you send a cartoon to the competition. Me, I can well imagine you would never have the moral courage to do so, and if you did, it would be equivocal crap like your ‘hero’ Steadman – perhaps you could submit a cartoon of mohammed’s nose, and then claim it was a cartoon of your mate mohammed ahmed’s nose. Faugh.

        • Mo says

          Feb 14, 2015 at 1:17 pm

          @ Mirren10

          “I, however, am going to answer you very discourteously.

          Quite frankly, both your posts are waffling, meretricious apologist crap, purporting to be oh so nuanced and tolerant.”

          THANK YOU! And bravo to all you’ve said here!

          I have not the time nor energy to go line by line on LinMA’s posts here. They are indeed confusing and contradictory. First, they act like they are for free speech. Then they proceed to act like they are not, yammering about cartoons “offending” people. Very bizarre. The condescending tone was what finally made me give up. Disgusting!

          Guess what? Nearly everything taught in Islam is offensive – OBJECTIVELY so! Raping little girls is objectively offensive. Forcing people to convert or be killed is objectively offensive. Forcing people to pay a tax to be “allowed” to live and practice their own religion is objectively offensive. Beheading people is objectively offensive. Burning people alive in cages is objectively offensive.

          Saying so is NOT objectively offensive – even if it’s in a manner you don’t happen to like.

          And if Muslims and Islamic apologists are offended by people saying these truths, TOO BAD!

    • gravenimage says

      Feb 13, 2015 at 12:11 am

      LinMA wrote:

      Some of the ideas for cartoons in these comments are off base, and are not good ideas for cartoons. They are nothing more than visual insults of some tenets or customs of Islam (without real depth of knowledge) or simply insults of the Prophet Muhammad’s life story. An example is the proposal to show Muhammad raping [his second wife] Aisha. Is there really a visual message there, or is the intent just to offend, shock and insult?
      …………………………………

      No—a cartoon on this subject is *not* intended just to be offensive to some customs of Islam. In my case, it was intended to *criticize* pedophilia in Islam. Surely you don’t consider criticism of pedophilia to be “offensive”? Surely you consider this a “custom” that *should* be criticized?

      And my knowledge of this issue is hardly superficial—I have read accounts in the Qur’an, in the Hadith, and in the Sira, as well as historical and contemporary commentary by Muslim scholars.

      And yes, it is shocking—but not gratuitously so. It is shocking because the rape of a little child is shocking.

      Not all criticism is gratuitous.

      You can judge for yourself whether you consider my work to be effective or not.

      More:

      Everybody reacts very badly when they feel they have been deliberately insulted or offended.
      …………………………………

      “Very badly” means different things to different people. Charlie Hebdo insults all sorts of people—some consider this free speech and support it even if they are offended by certain examples (this is my stance), others might write an irate letter to the editor or cancel their subscription, and some—like the pious Jihadists just recently—might massacre half the magazine’s staff. Surely you don’t consider this all of a piece?

      More:

      Think this through, people.
      …………………………………

      Many of us *have* thought this through—at considerable length. I am also a professional illustrator, and I have decided that I find those who would murder artists, illustrators, and cartoonists in order to shut down criticism of the violence of Islam *far more offensive* than even the most tasteless cartoon—I know where my loyalties lie.

      Perhaps you should think this through at more length yourself—do you really want to come down on the side of people who want to murder you and your fellow artists for exercising your freedom of expression?

      If you are a professional illustrator, you could contribute here—and could do so in an effective manner. Please consider contributing, rather than criticizing sight unseen those of us who have decided to so so. Hope to see your work there.

  22. David Veal says

    Mar 3, 2015 at 9:06 pm

    I would never enter this contest.

    I am not afraid to speak my mind or to illustrate some controversial topic.

    I believe respect for the religious views of others is an investment in peace.

    Respect is earned. The ordinary, law abiding, kind, moderate: muslim; christian; agnostic; you-name-it; has earned that respect.

    This contest is more of an eye for an eye, an inefficient rage against the many for the wrong a few have conducted.

    I am not a believer or follower of any religion. I am only a person who feels respect is the key to discussion, peace, and making the world a better place.

    That would make for a boring cartoon contest. The theme of “Respect”

    And it wouldn’t sell newspapers. It wouldn’t condemn very many people for being particular. Respect is too, … ordinary.

    However, it isn’t cowardly to respect an other.

    This contest is meaningless. It’s point is to make fun of over a billion living people in an inclusive, narrow, dare I say hateful manner. I am strong enough, normal and boring enough not to participate in it.

    • Angemon says

      Mar 4, 2015 at 3:21 pm

      David Veal posted:

      “I believe respect for the religious views of others is an investment in peace.”

      OK David. Imagine the following scenario:

      Religion A’s scriptures say that religion B is false. They also insult the followers of religion B and lie about religion B’s scriptures to justify attacking followers of religion B and stealing their stuff. Religion B says to respect all human beings.

      Do you think that both religion A and religion B deserve to be equally respected?

    • Mo says

      Mar 4, 2015 at 4:49 pm

      @ David Veal

      “I would never enter this contest.”

      Why not?

      “I am not afraid to speak my mind or to illustrate some controversial topic.”

      Of course you are. That’s why you wouldn’t enter the contest. (Either that, or you’re a Muslim.)

      “I believe respect for the religious views of others is an investment in peace.”

      Can you tell me what respect Islam teaches for the religious views of others?
      Can you show me where Muslims around the world demonstrate this respect for the religious views of others?

      I’ll wait.

      “Respect is earned.”

      Can you tell me where Islam has earned respect?
      Can you tell me what you respect about a religion started by a warlord and child rapist?
      Can you tell me what you respect about a religion whose follows do nothing but oppress, harass and commit violence against others? (Even their own coreligionists, especially females?)

      Can you tell me why you respect a religion that teaches you must convert, submit or die?

      “The ordinary, law abiding, kind, moderate: muslim; christian; agnostic; you-name-it; has earned that respect.”

      Spare me the “all beliefs / practitioners of a belief are equal” routine. They’re not. And you know it. How do you know it? Because you know that there are no members of any other belief system who are going around the world beheading, burning, raping and all the rest, in obedience to their belief system. You know that.

      “This contest is more of an eye for an eye, an inefficient rage against the many for the wrong a few have conducted.”

      Can you tell me where this contest is promoting/encouraging violence against Muslims? Show it to me.

      That’s as far as I have time to go. Address the points I’ve asked of you.

      • Mirren10 says

        Mar 4, 2015 at 5:02 pm

        Excellent posts, Mo and Angemon.

        ‘David Veal’ is, I think, basically just covering up his cowardice and lack of principle in a pretty dress which he thinks will hide his yellow belly.

        How I *despise* people like him.

        • Mo says

          Mar 4, 2015 at 5:08 pm

          @ Mirren10

          “Excellent posts, Mo and Angemon.”

          Thanks.

          “‘David Veal’ is, I think, basically just covering up his cowardice and lack of principle in a pretty dress which he thinks will hide his yellow belly.

          How I *despise* people like him.”

          It really is shameful.

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