South Park creators warned over Muhammad depiction

international | rights, freedoms and repression | other press Thursday April 22, 2010 11:14 by People Before Prophets

Looks as if the South Park crew could have some problems angry islamic fundamentalists. Mocking buddha and christ is one thing but mocking the "prophet" of islam is a tad more dangerous.

Islamists have warned the creators of TV show South Park they could face violent retribution for depicting the Prophet Muhammad in a bear suit. A posting on the website of the US-based group, Revolution Muslim, told Matt Stone and Trey Parker they would "probably wind up like Theo Van Gogh". The Dutch film-maker was shot and stabbed to death in 2004 by an Islamist angered by his film about Muslim women.

Muhammad And Friends.

The posting gave details about a home Stone and Parker reportedly co-own. It also listed the addresses of their production office in California and the New York office of South Park's broadcaster, Comedy Central.

"We have to warn Matt and Trey that what they are doing is stupid and they will probably wind up like Theo Van Gogh for airing this show," warned the posting, written in the name of Abu Talhah Al-Amrikee. "This is not a threat, but a warning of the reality of what will likely happen to them," it added.

In the 200th episode of South Park, broadcast in the US and UK last week, Muhammad appeared several times inside a bear suit. The prophets of the other main religions were also depicted, including a drug-snorting Buddha.

Muhammad in a bear suit