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| The '''2007 Bangladesh cartoon controversy''' began after an [[editorial cartoon]] was published in the 431st edition of ''{{ill|Alpin (supplement)|lt=Alpin|bn|আলপিন (ক্রোড়পত্র)}}'', a featured supplement of the [[Bangladesh]]i newspaper ''[[Prothom Alo]]'', on 17 September 2007.<ref name="Independent_Liton" /> The cartoon featured a conversation between an elderly man and a boy culminating in the boy making a joke using the name of the Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]].<ref name=BBCNews>{{cite news |date=21 September 2007 |title=Violence over Bangladesh cartoon |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7006528.stm |work=BBC News |accessdate=25 September 2007}}</ref> | | The '''2007 Bangladesh cartoon controversy''' stemmed from a [[cartoon]] published on September 17, 2007, in the ''Prothom Alo'' newspaper’s supplement ''[[Alpin]]''. The cartoon, titled ''[[Naam]]'' (Name), was created by 20-year-old [[cartoonist]] '''[[Arifur Rahman]]'''. It depicted a conversation between an elderly man and a boy, where the boy was asked about his name. The boy did not use the prefix “Muhammad,” which is customary for some Muslims when referring to the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Instead, he jokingly responded, “Muhammad cat.” This was seen as offensive by the country’s mainly Muslim population, especially as the cartoon was published during the holy month of Ramadan. |
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| Bangladeshi [[Muslim]] organisations, who objected to the cartoon, responded by holding public protests which led to violence and street clashes, even though such demonstrations have been banned by the [[Caretaker government of Bangladesh|interim caretaker government]].<ref name=BBCNews/> Arifur Rahman, the author of the cartoon, was arrested and detained while the publishers have publicly apologised.<ref>{{cite news |last=Majumder |first=Azad |date=21 September 2007 |title=Bangladesh suspends magazine over controversial cartoon |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bangladesh-cartoon-idUSSP17474120070921 |newspaper=Reuters |access-date=18 December 2015}}</ref>
| | == '''Controversy and Public Outcry''' == |
| | The cartoon sparked outrage among Muslim organizations and led to public protests, despite the interim caretaker government’s ban on demonstrations. Many viewed the cartoon as a deliberate attempt to mock the Prophet Muhammad, which heightened tensions in the country. The protests were marked by violence, and the government responded by banning the 431st edition of ''Alpin'', seizing copies of the issue, and calling for restraint. |
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| == Controversy ==
| | Arifur Rahman was arrested on September 18, 2007, under charges of “hurting religious sentiments” according to '''Penal Code Section 295A''', which criminalizes acts that insult religion. Prothom Alo’s editor, Matiur Rahman, publicly apologized for publishing the cartoon, calling it “unedited, unapproved, and unacceptable,” and pledged to take action against those responsible. However, religious clerics and protestors continued their calls for further accountability, demanding the arrest of Rahman and Prothom Alo’s publisher, '''Mahfuz Anam'''. |
| On 17 September 2007, a cartoon titled ''Naam'' (Name) was published in the 431st edition of ''Alpin''. The cartoon, by 20-year-old cartoonist Arifur Rahman, featured a conversation between an elderly man and a boy and the controversy is regarding the text rather than the pictures as had been the case in previous such incidents. When the boy was asked what his name was, he omitted the prefix ''Muhammad'', used by some [[Muslim]]s to show respect to the [[Islamic prophet]] [[Muhammad]]. The elder informed him that he should use the prefix in front of all names. In the final strip, the man asked the boy what was in his lap to which he replied "Muhammad cat".<ref name=IslamOnline>{{cite news |url=http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1189959282159&pagename=Zone-English-News/NWELayout |title=Anti-Prophet Cartoon in Bangladesh |publisher=IslamOnline |date=20 September 2007 |accessdate=25 September 2007}}{{dead link|date=November 2015}}</ref>
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| The country's mainly Muslim population regarded the publication of the cartoon in their holy month of [[Ramadhan]] as a deliberate attempt to ridicule Muhammad, who is highly revered by Muslims, and ignite unrest in the country.<ref name=IslamOnline/> Demonstrations were held the following day in major cities, even though such protests were made unlawful by the [[Caretaker government of Bangladesh|interim caretaker government]] earlier in 2007.<ref name=BBCNews/><ref name=FE20070922>{{cite news |date=22 September 2007 |title='Alpin' cartoon protesters clash with police |url=http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/old/more.php?page=detail_news&date=2007-09-22&news_id=11999 |work=The Financial Express |location=Dhaka |accessdate=25 September 2007}}</ref> Formal representations were made by Muslim leaders to the government during meetings held on 18 September with calls for revoking the license of the newspaper, ''Prothom Alo''.<ref name=IslamOnline/> The government banned the sale of the 431st issue and instructed the authorities to seize all printed copies while urging the public to exercise self-restraint, and arrested Arifur Rahman.<ref name=IslamOnline/>
| | == '''Rahman’s Legal Struggles''' == |
| | Arifur Rahman was initially detained under Bangladesh’s emergency laws, and his detention was extended for three months after being charged. He was recognized as a ''prisoner of conscience'' by '''Amnesty International''', which called for his immediate release. '''Reporters Without Borders''' also called for his release, condemning the pressure from extremist groups who sought to politicize the case. Rahman was held for over six months, from September 18, 2007, until his release on '''March 20, 2008''', after the police failed to appear in court for his trial. |
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| In a statement released by ''Prothom Alo'', editor [[Matiur Rahman (journalist)|Matiur Rahman]] apologised, expressing regret for publishing the cartoon.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rahman |first1=Imran |title=Over 50 Injured in Dhaka Clashes |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/303671 |work=Arab News |date=22 September 2007}}</ref><ref name="Independent_Liton">{{cite news |date=18 September 2007 |title=Cartoonist Liton arrested for drawing ‘objectionable’ cartoon |newspaper=The Independent |location=Dhaka |agency=UNB |quote=the government has banned the 431st issue of ‘Alpin’, a weekly supplement ... all copies of the ‘Alpin’ of the Daily Prothom Alo, Year 9, Issue 310, September 17, 2007 have been banned ... The Prothom Alo authorities withdrew the Alpin issue, expressed regret and sought apology for publishing the cartoon.}}</ref> He stated that the "unedited, unapproved and unacceptable" cartoon is being withdrawn and would be "taking actions against the persons responsible". However, religious clerics of the country continued their outcry and demanded the arrest of Matiur Rahman and ''Prothom Alo's'' publisher, [[Mahfuz Anam]]. | | In a subsequent legal development, on November 12, 2009, a '''Jessore court''' sentenced Rahman to two months of rigorous imprisonment. He was also fined '''Tk 500''' (about 6 USD), or face an additional seven days in prison. |
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| ==Rahman's trial== | | == '''Impact and Aftermath''' == |
| In 2007, after publishing the cartoon was huge demonstration in Bangladesh and was multiple trial against cartoonist Arifur Rahman.<ref name="BBCNews" /><ref name=":1" /> Rahman was jailed under Bangladesh's emergency laws.<ref name=":0" />
| | The controversy brought attention to issues of free expression, censorship, and the tensions between freedom of the press and religious sensitivities in Bangladesh. It highlighted the risks faced by journalists and cartoonists in a society where religious sentiments are deeply protected, and it underscored the challenges of balancing humor or criticism with respect for religious beliefs. The case of Arifur Rahman remains a prominent example of the intersection of art, religion, and politics in Bangladesh.<ref>[http://www.askbd.org/ask/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/ASK_Human_Rights_Report_07.pdf Human Rights in Bangladesh 2007]. Arifur Rahman, faced arrest and detention for over six months</ref> |
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| === Dhaka court ===
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| Rahman was charged with "hurting religious sentiments" under Penal Code Section 295A and given a thirty-day detention order; this was later extended for an additional three months.<ref name="AI" /> [[Amnesty International]] designated Rahman a [[prisoner of conscience]] and called for his "immediate and unconditional release".<ref name="AI">{{cite web |url=https://www.amnesty.org/download/Documents/52000/asa130012008eng.pdf |title=Memorandum to the Caretaker Government of Bangladesh and political parties |date=10 January 2008 |website=Amnesty International |accessdate=19 April 2012}}</ref> [[Reporters Without Borders]] also issued a statement on his behalf calling for his release, saying, "The government should not yield to pressure from extremist leaders who are trying to politicise the case. Rahman should not be made a scapegoat. He must be freed."<ref name="RWB">{{cite web |url=http://en.rsf.org/bangladesh-cartoonist-arrested-over-harmless-19-09-2007,23700.html |title=Cartoonist Arrested Over Harmless Play on Name Mohammed |date=19 September 2007 |website=Reporters Without Borders |accessdate=19 April 2012 |archive-date=23 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623071552/http://en.rsf.org/bangladesh-cartoonist-arrested-over-harmless-19-09-2007,23700.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The cartoonist was arrested for six months and two days, arrested 18 September 2007,<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7003514.stm |title=Cartoonist jailed in Bangladesh |date=19 September 2007 |access-date=12 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ifex.org/cartoonist-arrested-over-harmless-play-on-name-mohammed/ |title=Cartoonist arrested over harmless play on name Mohammed |date=19 September 2007 |website=IFEX |access-date=12 July 2019}}</ref><ref>[http://www.askbd.org/ask/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/ASK_Human_Rights_Report_07.pdf Human Rights in Bangladesh 2007]. Arifur Rahman, faced arrest and detention for over six months</ref> and released by court order on 20 March 2008, after the police officer who filed a case against him repeatedly failed to appear in court.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7307648.stm |title=Cartoonist released in Bangladesh |work=BBC News |date=20 March 2008 |access-date=12 July 2019}}</ref>
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| === Jessore court ===
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| On 12 November 2009, a [[Jessore District|Jessore]] court was handed down two months of rigorous imprisonment to cartoonist Arifur Rahman, also have to pay Tk 500 in fine or another seven days in prison.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2009/11/12/cartoonist-arif-sentenced-to-two-months |title=Cartoonist Arif sentenced to two months |work=bdnews24.com |access-date=12 July 2019}}</ref>
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| ==See also== | | ==See also== |
| * {{section link|Editorial cartoon|Controversies}}
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| * [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy]] | | * [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy]] |
| * [[Islam and blasphemy]]
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| ==References== | | ==References== |
| {{Reflist|40em}}
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| ==External links==
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| * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070714193741/http://etwister.net/alpin_index.php ''Alpin'' archive]
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| [[Category:Islam-related controversies in Asia]] | | [[Category:Islam-related controversies in Asia]] |
| [[Category:Islam in Bangladesh]] | | [[Category:Islam in Bangladesh]] |
The 2007 Bangladesh cartoon controversy stemmed from a cartoon published on September 17, 2007, in the Prothom Alo newspaper’s supplement Alpin. The cartoon, titled Naam (Name), was created by 20-year-old cartoonist Arifur Rahman. It depicted a conversation between an elderly man and a boy, where the boy was asked about his name. The boy did not use the prefix “Muhammad,” which is customary for some Muslims when referring to the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Instead, he jokingly responded, “Muhammad cat.” This was seen as offensive by the country’s mainly Muslim population, especially as the cartoon was published during the holy month of Ramadan.
Controversy and Public Outcry
The cartoon sparked outrage among Muslim organizations and led to public protests, despite the interim caretaker government’s ban on demonstrations. Many viewed the cartoon as a deliberate attempt to mock the Prophet Muhammad, which heightened tensions in the country. The protests were marked by violence, and the government responded by banning the 431st edition of Alpin, seizing copies of the issue, and calling for restraint.
Arifur Rahman was arrested on September 18, 2007, under charges of “hurting religious sentiments” according to Penal Code Section 295A, which criminalizes acts that insult religion. Prothom Alo’s editor, Matiur Rahman, publicly apologized for publishing the cartoon, calling it “unedited, unapproved, and unacceptable,” and pledged to take action against those responsible. However, religious clerics and protestors continued their calls for further accountability, demanding the arrest of Rahman and Prothom Alo’s publisher, Mahfuz Anam.
Rahman’s Legal Struggles
Arifur Rahman was initially detained under Bangladesh’s emergency laws, and his detention was extended for three months after being charged. He was recognized as a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International, which called for his immediate release. Reporters Without Borders also called for his release, condemning the pressure from extremist groups who sought to politicize the case. Rahman was held for over six months, from September 18, 2007, until his release on March 20, 2008, after the police failed to appear in court for his trial.
In a subsequent legal development, on November 12, 2009, a Jessore court sentenced Rahman to two months of rigorous imprisonment. He was also fined Tk 500 (about 6 USD), or face an additional seven days in prison.
Impact and Aftermath
The controversy brought attention to issues of free expression, censorship, and the tensions between freedom of the press and religious sensitivities in Bangladesh. It highlighted the risks faced by journalists and cartoonists in a society where religious sentiments are deeply protected, and it underscored the challenges of balancing humor or criticism with respect for religious beliefs. The case of Arifur Rahman remains a prominent example of the intersection of art, religion, and politics in Bangladesh.[1]
See also
References
