Turkey Detains Four Over Cartoon Depicting Muhammad, Moses Amid Nationwide Protests

Four cartoonists affiliated with the Turkish satirical magazine LeMan were detained after publishing a controversial cartoon that depicted figures named Muhammad and Moses in a heavenly setting while conflict raged below. The cartoon, intended to promote religious harmony and highlight the plight of Muslims killed in Israeli attacks, sparked widespread outrage as depictions of Prophet Muhammad are forbidden in Islam and considered blasphemous under Turkish law. Authorities launched an investigation, recalled the edition, and intensified security measures amid protests and clashes near the magazine's offices in Istanbul. Government officials, including the Justice and Interior Ministers, condemned the cartoon as an insult to religious values and pledged legal action against those responsible, while the magazine insisted the depiction did not represent the Prophet Muhammad but a generic Muslim named Mohammed. The incident reflects heightened sensitivity by the Turkish government toward religious matters and the influence of social media in mobilizing public protests. Measures such as bans on demonstrations and efforts to block the magazine's social media accounts were also enacted to maintain public order.