Muslim Comic Strips
Muslim comic strips or strips that contain Islamic images have become pretty relevant in the news in recent months.
Examples of Muslim comic strips
The following are some recent examples of Muslim comic strips that made headlines:
- In the Netherlands, a series of 12 Muslim comic strips published in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten featuring the prophet Mohammed set off a wave of riots amongst in the Islamic community .
- The Washington Post and several other newspapers around the country did not run installment of Berkeley Breathed’s “Opus,” in which the spiritual fad-seeking character Lola Granola appears in a headscarf and explains to her boyfriend, Steve, why she wants to become a radical Islamist. (A response editorial comic strip ran on Cox and Forkum.)
- The New Yorker recently ran a cover that depicted Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama as a Muslim that sent out a wave of protests and complaints including the candidate himself.
Sensitivity to Muslim Comic Strips
There is no question that the sensitivity to Muslim comic strips has been heightened due the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the United States wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. If nothing else, we’ve realized that the international Muslim community is vibrant and wants their voices to be heard. Muslim comic strips, and the protests and sensitivities around them, is just one example of how the message is getting out.
The Future Of Muslim Comic Strips in the Public Eye
Is there a way to depict Islamic images and symbols in a way that engages a healthy discussion? Comic strips use iconographic imagery to strongly express a point. The image of the prophet Mohammed or a burqa provide that grounding from which we can begin to make some points. Should we be forbidden from using those images? Are there other ones that are just as powerful?
Let’s hear your thoughts.
With a header like “Muslim Comic Strips,” it’s important to distinguish between drawings that denigrate Islam or Muslims (as in Denmark - the riots caused actual deaths in places like Afghanistan. Not sure what your Netherlands reference is referring to - it was pretty quiet here); Western comics that discuss Islam, and (good luck finding one) comics by Muslims, or from predominantly Muslim countries.
The comics in Denmark, as political cartoons, have a longer and more complex history that would require an explanation of the dynamics between a Danish newspaper, some politicians, and some events over the last few years. The newspaper knew the drawings would be offensive to many people, yet chose to publish them in the name of free speech. Many defend this free speech, yet we should ask ourselves whether we can defend the “right” to offend a minority group within our own country. Do we have a “right” to offend blacks, Hispanics, or Jews in our public media? On purpose? We can debate whether the drawings were “legitimately” offensive or not, but suffice to say the newspaper knew they would offend some people in the decision to publish.
In the second category, we can try and define the world in black and white as some leaders have done, or we can accept that we have a multicultural world and try and make the best out of it. Islam is the world’s fastest-growing religion, with about 25% of the world’s population, and anything that promotes a healthy dialogue between the world’s communities - even if there are disagreements - is better for all of us, and better for peace.
In the third category, which relates to the first category a little, it is important to note that the Prophet Mohammed forbade the depiction of human and animal forms - what God created - by his contemporaries, because of a history of rampant idolatry in his community. Whether one agrees or disagrees with this, the result has been centuries of Islamic art that tends to avoid human and animal forms, but takes the use of calligraphy and geometric designs to new levels. One is therefore unlikely to see much in the way of comics in many of the more conservative countries, though in like Iran and Afghanistan, where Persian culture has been a big influence, are notable exceptions.
By the way, Tom and Jerry are HUGE in Afghanistan….
There is no question it is a complex issue. No one wants to offend, deliberately. However, the discourse is what is needed if the cultures are to understand each other. It is only through that discourse that effective change can happen.
Think about Rosa Parks and her refusal to sit in the “Black Only” section of the bus. Her small action created one of the most enduring conversations of our time.