Scratched by “Charlie Hebdo”, the mullahs fight back with moderation

Two days following the publication of the special issue of Charlie Hebdo, “Mullahs, go back where you came from”, the reactions of Iranians hoping for the fall of the Islamic regime are rather positive. The fact that several authors of the satirical cartoons are Iranian is particularly appreciated by the community. “They did well to organize this,” exclaims Mohsen*, a 39-year-old Iranian-Swiss, who adds: “What is vulgar is the way these mullahs act, not these drawings.” Niloofar*, one of her compatriots, shares her point of view on what she interprets as a sign of support for the revolt of her people: “I am happy that they published these drawings, and my acquaintances in Iran who have seen are of the same opinion. For them to hate and annoy women so much, we often say to ourselves that these mullahs must have a problem with their mother”, continues this native of Tehran, “and the drawing on the cover of Charlie Hebdo express it well [des mollahs en file indienne entrant dans le vagin d’une femme nue, ndlr]».