Marking a decade since the tragic 2014 attack, Charlie Hebdo has sparked fresh debate by hosting a controversial cartoon contest mocking God, with submissions solicited under the theme of ridiculing divine influence on society. The satirical magazine, known for pushing boundaries, continues to polarize public opinion by challenging religious sensitivities and asserting free speech as its cornerstone. Critics accuse the magazine of Islamophobia and excessive irreverence, though Charlie Hebdo regularly targets all religions, including Christianity, in its provocative content.
The attack anniversary will also feature public tributes and a book honoring the work of its late cartoonists. By testing the limits of French hate speech laws, the magazine underscores the complex intersection of satire, religious critique, and social norms. This contest has reignited discourse on whether such satire reflects freedom or recklessness in a pluralistic society.