Jihad Watch initially reported on Iran’s rage over Charlie Hebdo’s cartoons of Khamenei on Thursday, Jan. 5. The controversy continues. It should go without saying that what France does under its own roof as a free society is no business of Iran’s. But not according to Iran, which responded indignantly, and with threats, to Charlie Hebdo’s insulting of Khamenei.
France has every right, as does its citizens, to insult Khamenei (and Islam, too). But Westerners have been murdered for insulting Islam; others face real death threats. For this reason alone, there has been widespread reluctance to insult Islam or whomever Islamic supremacists revere (see Quran 8:12). Iran’s foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, tweeted: “We will not allow the French government to go beyond its bounds. What he really meant was: We will not allow the French government to go beyond IRAN’S bounds. This was a ridiculous remark that could only be dignified by any sort of response from France. Unless France intends to bow to Iran, it will do well to ignore it. But this incident demonstrates that the Islamic determination to destroy the freedom of speech in the West has not lessened in intensity.
More on this story. “Iran warns France over ‘insulting’ cartoons depicting supreme leader Ali Khamenei,” AFP, January 4, 2023:
Iran has summoned the French ambassador over publication of caricatures of the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.
The weekly magazine published dozens of cartoons ridiculing the highest religious and political figure in the Islamic republic as part of a competition it launched in December in support of the protest movement that began in Iran last September.
Later on Wednesday, Iran’s foreign ministry said it had summoned the French ambassador, Nicolas Roche.
“France has no right to insult the sanctities of other Muslim countries and nations under the pretext of freedom of expression,” said a foreign ministry spokesperson, Nasser Kanani. “Iran is waiting for the French government’s explanation and compensatory action in condemning the unacceptable behaviour of the French publication.”
The foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, tweeted: “The insulting and indecent act of a French publication in publishing cartoons against the religious and political authority will not go without an effective and decisive response.”
Without spelling out the consequences, he added: “We will not allow the French government to go beyond its bounds. They have definitely chosen the wrong path.”
Seen by supporters as a champion of freedom of speech and by critics as needlessly provocative, Charlie Hebdo is controversial even within France. But the country was united in grief when in January 2015 the magazine was targeted in a deadly attack by Islamist gunmen who claimed to be avenging the decision to publish cartoons of the prophet Muhammad.
Charlie Hebdo’s latest issue features the winners of a recent cartoon contest in which entrants were asked to draw the most offensive caricatures of Khamenei, who has held Iran’s highest office since 1989.
One of the finalists depicts a turbaned cleric reaching for a hangman’s noose as he drowns in blood, while another shows Khamenei clinging to a giant throne above the raised fists of protesters. Others depict more vulgar and sexually explicit scenes.
“It was a way to show our support for Iranian men and women who risk their lives to defend their freedom against the theocracy that has oppressed them since 1979,” Charlie Hebdo’s director, Laurent Sourisseau, known as Riss, wrote in an editorial.
All the cartoons published had “the merit of defying the authority that the supposed supreme leader claims to be, as well as the cohort of his servants and other henchmen”, he added.
Nathalie Loiseau, a French MEP and former minister loyal to France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, described Iran’s response as an “interference attempt and threat” to Charlie Hebdo. “Let it be perfectly clear, the repressive and theocratic regime in Tehran has nothing to teach France,” she said…..
Westman says
What scoungy bullies on a Bully’s pulpit. The West must be shaking in fear.
Why Iranians allow themselves to appear to be far less than their actual abilities, due to the necrotic-appearing-acting, conscience-seared Mullahs and military thugs, who herd, jail, and kill them like sheep, can only be answered as fear for their lives.
Where else do leaders believe they have a drought because “enemies are stealing clouds”? Well, ok, there are Palestinians who claim there are cows “trained to spy” on them. If you believe Muhammad rode a magical steed to the Far Mosque which didn’t exist at the time or sex is determined by which parent first reaches _______, then you might believe anything a religious leader proclaims. After all, he makes money from words with a contract to speak every Friday. Nice, clean, work with no liabilities that can’t be overcome with fear and violence.
Cloud theft: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5910359/Iranian-commander-accuses-Israel-stealing-Irans-CLOUDS-order-cause-drought.html
Spy Cows: https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-726825
Iranians are Persians, not Arabs, and have a superior history of intellectual accomplishments among ME Muslims. Iran will be unable to reach its potential with religion as government. Certainly, the current Iranian government should receive all that it deserves for its service upon the people.
ozun says
According to the Islamic supremacist Iran no Infidels can criticize and ridicule Muslims and their faith but the latter can insult the peoples of other religions and their beliefs. You can insult the Jews by demonizing Israel, the Christians and the Hindus etc. It’s also okay to support violent jihadis who murder peaceful people all around the globe. But when you peacefully make cartoons you are guilty of insulting the ‘best of peoples’. Iran an evil country as well as other jihad preaching and supporting states.
Scotsman48 says
There is no fun in islam….. Thats for sure.
James Lincoln says
Scotsman48,
Certainly true when viewed through the lens of the West.
However, devout muslims have big “fun” smiles on their faces while they are raping and murdering non-muslims.