Morocco Blocks French Publication over Offensive Prophet Muhammad Cartoons
The Moroccan government has halted the circulation of Marianne's issue number 1407, citing the presence of a caricature of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The decision was grounded in Articles 31 and 94 of the nation's press and publishing legislation, which forbid any content that is disrespectful to Islam.
An informed source reported to Anadolu Agency that the magazine would be barred from distribution across the kingdom due to the “offensive” nature of the cartoons.
In France and other Western nations, it is not uncommon for magazines and newspapers to publish cartoons that many in the Arab and Islamic worlds find offensive, often leading to widespread protests and even boycott campaigns.
“The ban aims to preserve the religious feelings of Moroccan citizens and prevent potential provocations or disrespectful discourse towards the Muslim faith,” Morocco World News reported on Saturday.
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Marianne, a publication known for its contentious editorial stance, has previously been the subject of scrutiny for its portrayal of Islam and its symbols. This recent prohibition is the latest in a sequence of contentious issues related to the magazine's content.
In 2011, Marianne released a feature titled "France-Europe. Why Islam is frightening," which incited criticism for the stigmatization of the Muslim faith.
Such editorial choices have consistently elicited strong reactions from the Muslim community, both within France and on a global scale.
Source: Agencies
