Access Blocked to Leman Magazine Over Prophet Cartoon Controversy

Following widespread backlash over a cartoon that allegedly depicted Prophet Muhammad and Prophet Moses, Turkish authorities have launched a judicial investigation into Leman magazine. In response to the controversy, the Istanbul 5th Criminal Judgeship of Peace issued a ruling on July 1, 2025, ordering access restrictions to the magazine’s official website and X (formerly Twitter) account, citing national security and public order concerns.

The decision, listed under case no. 2025/6609, reflects growing public sensitivity and legal attention surrounding content perceived as offensive to religious values. While the magazine’s website and X page are now inaccessible in Türkiye, the platform itself has yet to implement the block at the infrastructure level.

What Sparked the Outrage?

The uproar began when a cartoon published in Leman drew accusations on social media of portraying holy religious figures, igniting a storm of protest. Public anger surged, particularly following allegations that the cartoon included visual elements interpreted as depictions of Islamic prophets, which are traditionally considered deeply offensive in Islamic culture.

In reaction, members of the Büyük Doğu Akıncılar Derneği organized a protest outside the magazine’s İstiklal Avenue office in Istanbul. The demonstration escalated into a violent confrontation as protesters smashed windows and doors using stones and sticks while chanting radical slogans such as “Long live sharia” and “Either they die or we do.”

This incident not only underscores the intense societal sensitivities around religious representation in media but also marks a critical moment in the intersection of free expression, public order, and faith-based outrage in Türkiye.