Outrage in Istanbul over magazine depicting prophets, cartoonists arrested

18 hours ago

Outrage in Istanbul over magazine depicting prophets, cartoonists arrested

Minister Yerlikaya vowed that religious values would be legally protected against such acts.
Outrage in Istanbul over magazine depicting prophets, cartoonists arrested

Web Desk

|

1 Jul 2025

Protests and public outrage erupted in Turkiye after a weekly magazine, Leman, published a controversial cartoon depicting Prophet Moses (AS) and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Demonstrators gathered outside the magazine’s office to condemn the publication, while local authorities arrested three individuals believed to be behind the cartoon.

The illustration portrayed the two revered prophets shaking hands in the sky, with missiles flying on the ground to symbolise religious harmony amid the ongoing world conflict.

However, the depiction sparked intense backlash, as visual representations of Islamic prophets are strictly forbidden in Islam and widely considered offensive.

The protesters chanted Allahu Akbar and one of them climbed a building to raise a flag of shahadah. 

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya took to X to share a video of police detaining the staff from the magazine's premises.

“I once again curse those who try to sow discord by drawing caricatures of our Prophet Muhammad,” Yerlikaya wrote.

 “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.”

He also shared footage of two other suspects being arrested from their homes, stating, “Our security forces have also detained A.Y., the institutional director of the magazine that dared to publish a caricature of our Prophet (PBUH).”

The graphic designer, cartoonist, and editor-in-chief of Leman were taken into custody as part of the investigation.

Minister Yerlikaya emphasised that publishing provocative and offensive content under the guise of freedom of expression would not be tolerated, and vowed that religious values would be legally protected against such acts.

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