Protests erupted in Istanbul after a satirical magazine published what some claimed was a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed—an act considered deeply offensive in Islam. Police clashed with demonstrators, using rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse crowds that attacked a bar. The magazine insists the cartoon was misunderstood, but authorities still arrested the artist and two staff members.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about a cartoon—it’s a flashpoint in the ongoing tension between free expression and religious sensitivities, particularly in Muslim-majority countries. Protests like these can escalate quickly, revealing deeper societal divides over blasphemy, media freedom, and government responses. It’s a story with global echoes, given past controversies over depictions of religious figures.