Islamic State group becomes target of Arab satire

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BAGHDAD (AP) — It looks like a "Looney Tunes" cartoon -- but It isn't Elmer Fudd who's the bumbler.

The cartoon depicts a young militant with the Islamic State group, who first drops a rocket launcher on the toes of his boss and then takes aim and fires toward a military checkpoint outside of an Iraqi town -- not realizing he has fired it backward at his leader.

Across the Middle East, television networks have been airing cartoons and comedy programs using satire to criticize the militant group, and its claims of representing Islam.

The satire comes after the Islamic State group swept across large parts of Syria and Iraq, declaring its own self-styled caliphate while conducting mass shootings of prisoners.

One of the producers and writers of a Lebanese TV show that has challenged the group says the Islamic State members "are not a true representation of Islam." He says, "By mocking them, it is a way to show that we are against them."

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179-c-20-(Vivian Salama (sah-LAH'-mah), AP correspondent)-"so as well"-AP correspondent Vivian Salama reports Arab comedy writers who ridicule the group Islamic State risk not only harsh criticism but even execution for supposed blasphemy -- but they're doing it anyway. (1 Sep 2014)

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181-c-18-(Vivian Salama (sah-LAH'-mah), AP correspondent)-"be taken seriously"-AP correspondent Vivian Salama reports some Arab satirists are embracing the risk that goes with taking on the religious beliefs of Islamic State militants. (1 Sep 2014)

<<CUT *181 (09/01/14)££ 00:18 "be taken seriously"

180-c-20-(Vivian Salama (sah-LAH'-mah), AP correspondent)-"interpretation of Islam"-AP correspondent Vivian Salama reports that supporters of comedy programs that spoof the Islamic State argue it's important to mock the militants' distorted version of Islam. (1 Sep 2014)

<<CUT *180 (09/01/14)££ 00:20 "interpretation of Islam"

APPHOTO CAIHK101: In this image made from an undated cartoon broadcast on state-run al-Iraqiya TV in Iraq, a cartoon character, shown with an Arabic word meaning member or supporter of the Islamic State group, and "ISIS" the outdated acronym of the group, appears before a cartoon show. Television networks across the Middle East have begun airing cartoons and comedy programs using satire to criticize the group and its claim of representing Islam. And while not directly confronting their battlefield gains, the shows challenge the legitimacy of the Islamic group and chips away at the fear some have that they are unstoppable. (AP Photo/al-Iraqiya) (31 Aug 2014)

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APPHOTO CAIHK102: In this image made from an undated cartoon broadcast on state-run al-Iraqiya TV in Iraq, a cartoon character portrayed as a member or a supporter of the Islamic State group sings a song. Television networks across the Middle East have begun airing cartoons and comedy programs using satire to criticize the group and its claim of representing Islam. And while not directly confronting their battlefield gains, the shows challenge the legitimacy of the Islamic group and chips away at the fear some have that they are unstoppable. The Arabic writing on the flag reads, "One Arab nation," top, and "Having an eternal message." ''ISIS" on the cartoon character's head cover is the outdated acronym of the group. (AP Photo/al-Iraqiya) (31 Aug 2014)

<<APPHOTO CAIHK102 (08/31/14)££