The name is Charlie, Charlie Hebdo!

“We have avenged the Prophet Mohammad” shouted the gunmen in unison after killing a dozen people (including the Editor and prominent cartoonists) inside the office of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. Lesser did they know that the brutal attack on journalists would get translated into people’s movement, the biggest in Paris since its liberation during World-War 2. People in Paris united regardless of their identity and culture over the attack on free speech. None did ever imagine the consequences of presenting satirical humor in order to put perspective in a lighter tone.

Charlie Hebdo, weekly magazine with a circulation of 40,000 copies has existed in France for over 40 years in its interesting combination of satirical schoolboy humor on the lines of politics and religion. In a liberated French society, the work of Charlie Hebdo has been connecting with people by taking a dig with its satire and witty humor without any discrimination on the basis of religion. Late Editor and caricaturist Stephane Charbonnier (a.k.a Charb) believed the magazine never criticized any person whether Catholic or Islamic, anyone in particular but just religion which is just an idea. This often brought them at the receiving end from the extremists and ideological groups.      

                        

The aftermath of the attack saw mass demonstrations being held around the world with people taking to the streets and fighting for the free speech. “Je Suis Charlie” became the slogan and the voice of people. On a single day, around 3.7 million people including 40 prominent world leaders came up on streets in Paris to seek solidarity with the victims and condemn the action of extremist terrorist organization in the name of religion. However, the attack over the work of Charlie Hebdo raised a worldwide debate to define free speech and whether they took it too far. Even some of the people joining the protest including Muslims condemned the murder without agreeing or self-identifying to the disgraceful portrayal of their faith. The drawings of Prophet Mohammad were mocked as freedom to express views. In the past, Charlie Hebdo made similar offending cartoons which brought them to top of Al-Qaeda’s hit list.

As the debate strengthened and their content flowed around, #JeNeSuisPasCharlie (I am not Charlie) surfaced on the social network and people were left to choose within their own contemporary expression. It is interesting to note how several ‘JeSuisCharlie’ supporters before the attack didn’t even knew what it was and with mass mobilization, they identified themselves with the organization ending up being a firm supporter of their work.

In a way, the attack on Charlie Hebdo reversed, making them even strong. The publication didn’t close down. The issue of 15^th January skyrocketed to 7.5 million copies straight from 40,000 copies in 6 different languages instead of just French. Their cartoons were carried by several international dailies across the world reaching people like never before. The cover photo showed Prophet again holding ‘Je Suis Charlie’ placard written under the caption ‘All is forgiven’.

Today, the world knows Charlie Hebdo, a publication that might otherwise have remained one of several others. The world condemns the attack and expresses the solidarity, taking a leap of faith in free speech. The cosmopolitan city of Paris far from the Jihad land was never overshadowed by terrorism. But, the support and the aftermath showed the world that it is in a state of intolerance and that liberation and freedom is a part of their culture and it is here to stay.