Muslims' mixed response to new Mohammed cover

[Douglas Carpenter]

(CNN) By Daniel Burke, CNN Religion Editor

It's not surprising that, in its first issue since the attack, Charlie Hebdo again put Mohammed on the cover. But this time, instead of showing the revered Muslim founder in an unflattering light, the magazine struck a far different tone -- and was received by some Muslims in a far different way.

"My initial thought is that the cover is a near perfect response to the tragedy," said Hussein Rashid, a professor of Islamic thought at Hofstra University in New York. "They are not backing down from the depiction of Mohammed, exercising their free speech rights. At the same time, the message is conciliatory, humble, and will hopefully reduce the anger directed to the Muslim communities of France."

Yahya Adel Ibrahim, an imam in Australia, counseled his 100,000 Facebook followers to follow the example of their prophet, even as they encounter images that many may consider to be offensive."As it is clear that the cartoons are to be published again, Muslims will inevitably be hurt and angered, but our reaction must be a reflection of the teachings of the one we love & are angered for," Ibrahim said. "Enduring patience, tolerance, gentleness and mercy as was the character of our beloved Prophet (peace and Blessings be upon him) is the best and immediate way to respond."

Yasir Qadhi, an American cleric with a wide following, said he's not pleased by any depictions of Mohammed, but it's clear that this Hebdo cover, unlike others, is not meant to offend.

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/01/13/living/muslims-respond-hebdo/

[Electric Monk]

1. On one level it is conciliatory, humble, etc. but they also drew a big penis on his face. nt

[Desert805]

2. No they didn't.

That's ridiculous. If they wanted to draw a penis on his face, they wouldn't have hidden it.

It's gross that people here are inventing this BS.

[Electric Monk]

4. You don't see it? I've adjusted the contrast on everything but, to make it stand out.

[JaneyVee]

9. His hat and face look like penis and balls as well.

[Electric Monk]

10. Yes, I can see that one too. I've adjusted the contrast again to bring that one out.

(quick and dirty)

[JaneyVee]

11. Are we overthinking or do you think intentional?

Im not familiar with their cartoons, is this something they do??

[HappyMe]

5. If you flip the picture upside down, it does look like a penis and balls.

[Warren Stupidity]

6. it is not hidden. It is right there in plain view.

[Douglas Carpenter]

3. I did not interpret the painting that way - I think that is reading into the picture more than is

there

[Warren Stupidity]

7. Ah sure that is possible, but I rather doubt it.

[PeaceNikki]

8. What a stupid Islamaphobic headline. Of COURSE they have 'mixed responses'.

Not all 1.6 billion of them think exactly the same way.

[JonLP24]

12. Muslim majority countries didn't start changing their laws until

the Wahabbis were offended by it and basically started shoving the new laws down their throats so they shouldn't back down but be careful who aren't backing down to.

The problem self-perpetuates, the more it is made about Islam the more it confirms what the Wahabbi cults preach about Western governments so eventually it overlaps and self-perpetuates (making it harder to distinguish from Islam)

[JonLP24]

13. There's been "daring" Mohammed pictures or cartoons

in Muslim majority country so this is hardly revolutionary.

[Fred Sanders]

14. I read the article was a CNN Religion article and stopped reading.

[msongs]

15. nothing on the page identifies or names the character. jumping to conclusions? nt

[Warren DeMontague]

16. Yes, it's important for a newspaper that was just violently attacked, to be "humble"