Charbel Khalil in Hot Water over Claims he Defamed Islam
Lebanese satirist Charbel Khalil appeared before a prosecutor in Beirut on Monday after Dar al-Fatwa, the country's top Sunni religious authority, filed a judicial complaint against him for allegedly defaming Islam.
Khalil found himself in hot water after he shared a photo on Twitter that was perceived by some as insulting to Islam.
The photo shows a woman lying on a black bed-cover with the Islamic slogan "There is no God but God and Mohammed is his Prophet" on it in white Arabic letters — resembling the banner of the extremist Islamic State group.
The photo was accompanied by the words: "Sexual jihad under the Prophet's umbrella??"
Khalil appeared before prosecutor Nada Asmar on Monday. A group of supporters, including Lebanese artists and colleagues, protested outside the judicial palace, some carrying banners that read "Je suis Charbel."
The phrase "Je suis Charlie" — or I am Charlie — has been adopted by supporters of freedom of speech after last month's murderous spree in Paris at the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, which had lampooned Islam and other religions.
Khalil directs the comedy program "Basmat Watan," which in Arabic means "a nation's smiles." The program, which is broadcast on LBCI television, pokes fun at politicians of all stripes.
In 2006, Khalil spoofed Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, sparking street demonstrations by supporters of the group's leader who burned car tires and blocked roads in protest.
Khalil on Monday told reporters that the photo he shared on Twitter meant to shine a light on the harm being done by IS militants to Islam.
"The free judiciary has triumphed today," he said, after he was let go by the investigating judge.
The case, however, was referred to an appeals court and Khalil was banned from traveling pending an investigation.
Source: Associated Press, Naharnet
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