Turkish authorities detained three cartoonists on Monday in response to a highly offensive cartoon published in the weekly magazine Leman.

The caricature, which depicted Prophet Moses and a figure interpreted as Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) shaking hands in the sky amidst a war-like scene with missiles raining below, has ignited widespread condemnation from Muslim communities and government officials for its disrespectful portrayal of revered religious figures.

Muslims hold Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the highest esteem as the final messenger of Allah, whose life and teachings are a guiding light for over 1.9 billion believers worldwide. Any depiction of the Prophet, particularly in a manner perceived as mocking or irreverent, is deeply offensive and contrary to Islamic values, which emphasize profound respect and veneration for him. Such portrayals are seen as an affront to the sanctity of faith and the deep love Muslims have for their Prophet.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya took swift action, announcing the detention of cartoonist Doğan Pehlevan, whose work sparked the controversy. In a video shared on X, Pehlevan was seen being apprehended by police and escorted with his hands cuffed. "I once again curse those who try to sow discord by drawing caricatures of our Prophet Muhammad," Yerlikaya declared on the platform. "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." Additional footage later showed police raiding homes and detaining two other individuals linked to the cartoon, one of whom was barefoot as he was taken into custody.

Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç confirmed that six individuals are under investigation under Article 216 of the Turkish Penal Code, which prohibits inciting hatred and enmity among the public. Detention orders have been issued for all six, signaling the government’s firm stance against actions that insult religious sensitivities and threaten social harmony.

The cartoon provoked immediate outrage, with protesters gathering outside Leman’s Istanbul offices on Monday evening. Video clips circulating on social media showed angry crowds chanting in defense of the Prophet’s honor and kicking the magazine’s entrance doors, reflecting the deep hurt felt by Muslims over the caricature’s insensitivity.

In response to the backlash, Leman issued a statement on X, apologizing to readers who felt offended and claiming the cartoon was misinterpreted. The magazine argued that the drawing aimed to depict "the suffering of a Muslim man killed in Israeli attacks" and was not intended to insult Islam or Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). "The name Muhammad is one of the most common in the Muslim world, used out of reverence for the Prophet," the statement read. "The cartoon does not depict the Prophet himself and was never intended to mock religious beliefs." Leman accused critics of orchestrating a smear campaign and urged the judiciary to investigate.

However, the explanation has done little to quell the anger of Muslims, who view any attempt to depict or trivialize the Prophet (PBUH) as a grave violation of their faith’s principles. The reverence for Prophet Muhammad is central to Islamic tradition, with his name invoked with blessings and his legacy cherished as a model of compassion, justice, and devotion to God.

The incident has reignited discussions about the balance between freedom of expression and respect for religious sanctity in Turkey, a nation where the majority of citizens hold their Islamic faith and the Prophet’s honor as sacred. Authorities have vowed to uphold justice, ensuring that those responsible for the offensive caricature face the full consequences of the law. (ILKHA)