Public outrage erupted on social media and news websites today following comments by a Muslim lecturer in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo massacre. Dr Ali Selim, who teaches at Trinity College, Dublin, said that if any Irish news outlet published the Charlie Hebdo cartoon of the Muslim prophet Muhammad, he would seek legal action against the publication.
Dr Selim condemned the murders but warned against reproducing the offending image. Ireland’s blasphemy laws could make it possible to sue a newspaper that printed a picture of the 7th century religious leader, which most Muslims find deeply offensive.
Readers here and in the United States reacted angrily to Dr Selim’s warning, with some suggesting that he should be fired from TCD. Dr Selim is a prominent member of the Irish Muslim community and has suggested that he might run in 2016 general election.