So this week, after the terrible slaughter, apparently sanctioned by Al Qaeda, the stories in the press are still focused on the events in France.

Charlie Hebdo is back in production, with a record print run and cartoon of Mohammed on the cover.

The depiction of Muhammad is forbidden in Islam apparently – although this could change.

The original prohibition was to prevent idolatry, and to stop the prophet turning into a deified being.

Has this worked? Mohammad is a creature, just like us. The ban on images has had the opposite effect to what was intended. Muhammad is now a semi divine being and no longer human.

 

And now, prepare to be offended. Pictures of Mohammed, bare faced.

Prepare for the worst – riots in Karachi, bombings in London, extensive media speculation and the BBC will not show these images.

Or maybe not – for what is really offensive about these images?

 

Muhammad in Medina

"Muhammad 6". Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons – http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Muhammad_6.jpg#mediaviewer/File:Muhammad_6.jpg

 

Muhammad and the Angel Gabriel c. 1425

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mojmal_al-tawarikh

 

And this is my favourite

A depiction of Muhammad receiving his first revelation from the angel Gabriel. From the manuscript Jami' al-tawarikh by Rashid-al-Din Hamadani, 1307, Ilkhanate period.

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad

 

And now for something more serious.

The mindless bullies of Islam will not like this one for they are the targets, and their pride will be pricked.

But out of respect for the Prophet, the face has been blanked out

 

The text is

Prophet: I am the prophet, arsehole

Jihadist: Die Infidel