Commission issues revised notice on Adhadhu cartoon for media

The Media and Broadcasting Commission on Sunday issued a revised notice directing media outlets not to circulate a cartoon published in the “political cartoon” segment of the online newspaper Adhadhu, after withdrawing an earlier notice addressed to the public.

The commission is investigating a cartoon published by Adhadhu on Thursday morning. The cartoon depicts a man with a long nose stealing money from the pocket of an imam while people are in prayer.

According to the commission, the content is being examined on the grounds that it appears to link prostration, an act of worship in Islam, with fraud.

On Sunday morning, the commission issued an announcement asking the public not to circulate the cartoon. That announcement was later removed from the commission’s social media accounts.

A new notice was issued later on Sunday, directing media outlets not to circulate the cartoon while the investigation is ongoing.

In an earlier statement, Adhadhu said the provisions cited in the commission’s letter state that content should not be published if it is contrary to the principles of Islam or promotes any religion other than Islam.

The newspaper referred to Article 274(a) of the Constitution, which defines the principles of Islam as those contained in the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet, whose authenticity is not disputed, as well as the principles derived from them.

The statement said the cartoon was not intended to insult Islam or promote a religious message and said there was no basis to interpret it as a violation of religious principles.

The newspaper said it would be easier to respond to the commission’s notice if the legal basis for the alleged violation was explained.