Afkham: We Condemn the Publication of the Prophet's Cartoon in French Weekly

According to Fars News Agency, Marzieh Afkham, the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, condemned the publication of a new cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad in the French weekly 'Charlie Hebdo' during her press conference on Wednesday, January 24. She described it as 'offensive' and stated that 'the misuse of freedom of expression in the West is unacceptable.' According to ISNA, Ms. Afkham commented on the attack on 'Charlie Hebdo' that resulted in the deaths of several of its staff, saying that 'these actions have no proximity to Islamic views and are contrary to Islamic teachings.' However, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson added, 'On the one hand, we condemn provocative actions, and the action of the mentioned weekly (Charlie Hebdo) is offensive and will provoke the feelings of Muslims worldwide.' She further stated that 'the misuse of freedom of expression in the West is unacceptable and must be stopped.' The satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, which was the scene of an attack by Islamists last week that killed 12 of its staff and guards, prepared its latest issue with a circulation of three million copies, significantly higher than its usual print run, featuring an image of the Prophet Muhammad. The January 24 issue published a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad, depicted in a white robe, crying and holding a sign that reads 'I am Charlie.' This sign has gathered a multitude of protesters against the attack on Charlie Hebdo in rallies and gatherings, as well as on social media under the same hashtag. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, it was reported that 'Dieudonné M'bala M'bala,' a controversial French comedian, who posted a message on his Facebook page titled 'I am Charlie Koulibaly,' has been arrested by French police. Koulibaly is the surname of one of the Islamist hostage-takers who, on the same day as the attack on 'Charlie Hebdo,' took hostages in a Jewish supermarket elsewhere in Paris. 'Dieudonné,' the controversial comedian, who was arrested early Wednesday, has previously made provocative statements regarding Holocaust denial and has had meetings with Iranian officials during his travels to Iran.