DAR AL HARB - FRANCE: SUITS FILED AGAINST CHARLIE HEBDO (FRENCH WEEKLY) BECAUSE OF THE MOHAMMAD CARTOONS

France: Islam sues press for Mohamed cartoons

A year and a half after Danish newspapers published cartoons of Mohamed, two Islamic organizations in France are suing the editors of the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo for “issuing insults stigmatising a group of people on the basis of religion."

Charlie Hebdo published 12 caricatures in February 2006, most of which had originally appeared in the Danish papers.

According to the plaintiffs, the Union of Islamic Organisations of France and the Grand Mosque of Paris, the decision to publish the cartoons "was part of a considered plan of provocation aimed against the Islamic community in its most intimate faith, born out of a simplistic Islamophobia as well as purely commercial interests."

Three drawings are being cited on such charges: one of Mohamed wearing a bomb-shaped turban, another showing the prophet turn away suicide bombers from paradise because “there are no more virgins,” and the third was drawn by French artist Cabu, showing Mohamed, head in his hands, saying "it is hard to be loved by fools."

Other more prominent newspapers, including Le Monde, Liberation and France-Soir, had also published some of the cartoons.

A group of 50 intellectuals, including many French Muslims, issued a letter to support Charlie Hebdo and free speech, saying that “democrats over the world and especially Muslims hope to see in Europe, and above all in France, a secular haven where their words are not blocked by dictators or fundamentalists. If Charlie Hebdo were to be convicted ... we would all lose this shared space of resistance and liberty.”

Yet as much as these democratic values are believed in and upheld in France, President Jacques Chirac criticized the decision, reminding that "freedom of expression must be exercised in a spirit of responsibility."

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Chirac sounds very much like Bush or vice versa...It all depends on who said it first...

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We also talked about a topic that requires a lot of discussion and a lot of sensitive thought, and that is the reaction to the cartoons. I first want to make it very clear to people around the world that ours is a nation that believes in tolerance and understanding. In America we welcome people of all faiths. One of the great attributes of our country is that you're free to worship however you choose in the United States of America.

Secondly, we believe in a free press. We also recognize that with freedom comes responsibilities. With freedom comes the responsibility to be thoughtful about others. Finally, I have made it clear to His Majesty and he made it clear to me that we reject violence as a way to express discontent with what may be printed in a free press. I call upon the governments around the world to stop the violence, to be respectful, to protect property, protect the lives of innocent diplomats who are serving their countries overseas.

And so, Your Majesty, thank you for coming. I'm proud to share the moment with you.

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Bush and Chirac, both dhimmis...

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French Court to Rule on Whether Cartoons Insulted Muslims
By Gregory Viscusi

Feb. 6 (Bloomberg) -- The Paris Mosque is suing a French satirical magazine for alleged racism, saying three cartoons in an edition published last year were insulting to Muslims.

Charlie Hebdo, a weekly, defends its publication of the cartoons about the prophet Muhammad under freedom of expression laws. A Paris court will hear the case tomorrow and on Feb. 8. Witnesses will include politicians, a presidential candidate, and writers.

The hearing will go over many of the same issues debated throughout the world after the Danish newspaper Jyllands Posten a year ago printed 12 cartoons about the prophet Muhammad, sparking riots and anti-Danish boycotts in parts of the Muslim world. It will also set out jurisprudence on how officially secular France deals with criticism of Islam, which, thanks to immigration, has become the country's second-largest religion.

``This is a case that goes way beyond just freedom of expression,'' Richard Malka, Charlie Hebdo's lawyer, said in an interview. ``It puts into question the Republic and the whole notion of secular society.''

The cartoons aren't covered by freedom of speech, says Francis Szpiner, a lawyer for the Paris Mosque. ``Racism is not an opinion,'' he said in an interview. ``It's abuse and it's a crime.'' Inciting racial hatred is punishable by six months in jail and 22,500-euro ($29,000) fine in France. Szpiner says his clients aren't seeking any penalties.

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Pertinent Links:

1) France: Islam sues press for Mohamed cartoons

2) President Bush Welcomes King Abdullah of Jordan to the White House

3) French Court to Rule on Whether Cartoons Insulted Muslims