French paper, Charlie Hebdo, prints obscene cartoons of Muhammad, triggering protests and security concerns

French embassies around the world have been hit by protests following the publication of caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad in a satirical magazine, EuroNews reports.

The weekly paper, Charlie Hebdo, had its Paris offices burned down by a petrol bomb attack in November, after printing an edition which named the Prophet as "guest editor." It has now printed obscene cartoons of Muhammad in the nude.

The publication of the caricatures has divided opinion in France, highlighting the tension between the western principle of freedom of speech and Islamic beliefs that find insults to the Prophet intolerable.

Euro News also reports:

• In Iran, dozens of students and clerics gathered outside the French embassy in Tehran chanting "death to France", and "Down with the US" as an American made film they find blasphemous continues to cause controversy.

• In Tunisia, the French embassy  announced the closure of all French schools until Monday as violence is feared and protests have already taken place in Pakistan where hundreds of people clashed with police. Officers used tear gas and batons to prevent them from reaching French government buildings.

French embassies, consulates, cultural centers and schools in some 20 Muslim countries are temporarily closing as much larger demonstrations are expected after Friday prayers.

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D. Beeksma

One of the growing crowd of American "nones" herself, Deborah is a prolific writer who finds religion, spirituality and the impact of belief (and non-belief) on culture inspiring, fascinating and at times, disturbing. She hosts the God Discussion show and handles the site's technical work. Her education and background is in business, ecommerce and law.

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