Opinion

Culture, race, religion blur the lines of satire

*

---

Islamic humour should tell the truth, not be offensive and not contain
unIslamic material. That would appear to leave little room for the
French and British traditions of satire, which include organised
religion among their many subjects.

It is therefore insulting to Muslims to satirise the prophet Mohammed.
To depict him in human form is seen as heresy. All rather medieval, you
might think, until you realise that blasphemy is still a crime in

---

Cartoonists (and columnists) make little change to society. They merely
offer a perspective as a reference point for others to locate and
define their own opinions. Satire is one approach to comment, but there
is a fine line between satire and insult. Cultural, racial and
religious sensitivities can often blur that line.

Some, like the producers of Charlie Hebdo, argue that there should be
no limits to satire. Others, in this country for example, believe that
the line should be drawn at a proposal to produce a satirical
television series on the Irish Famine.