Charlie Hebdo Caricatures: France Closing Down Embassies

Charlie Hebdo's caricature of naked Prophet Mohammed has caused France to close 20 embassies in Muslim countries on Friday. This security act has been decided based on massive Muslim protests that have occurred after Friday prayers and also, the Anti-Islamic film that has left many dead, including the US ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens.

The controversial pictures of the prophet refers to the US- made film which has protest and riots stirring up all around the world, and leaving the director and actors in hiding fearing for their lives. The magazine's editor, Stephane Charbonnier, talk to reporters and said that the pictures will, shock those who will want to be shocked."

Last November in Paris, Hebdo's offices were firebombed after it created a caricature mocking Mohammad on its front page. The French government is not too pleased with the published pictures and condemns the magazine's decision. Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said that the he respects freedom of expression but doesn't see "no point in such a provocation." Fabius also stressed that the French government would never approve and encourage the cartoons publication.

Another Editor, Charbonnier, a cartoonist, told French news, "(Hebdo) does caricatures of everyone, and above all every week, but when we do it with the Prophet, it's called provocation," also adding that the magazine would reduce to selling 16 pages a week if Hebdo stopped printing because of fear of offense.

Considered blasphemous, any representations of Allah or Mohammad are not taken lightly. The French Muslim Council in France leader, Mohammed Moussaoui described the caricatures as "unjust" and "Islamophobic." France's International and Strategic Relations Institute (IRIS), tweeted that Hebdo, "is not Islamophobic, but simply opportunist, cynical, and without scruples."