I disagree with your conclusion. It's not like the magazine only made fun of Islam. Sure the images could be seen as provocation, and they're definitely stupid, but that's what freedom of speech is about. The ability to say something or make fun of something without being punished for it. They're free to express their stupidity if they want to. Why can't something be provocative and an expression of free speech at the same time?
Also I've never heard of Britain punishing anyone for their depiction of the queen, nor would I expect armed British gunmen to murder civilians in retaliation.. At least here in the US I could make any picture of Obama I wanted and I'd be completely safe from prosecution by the US government. Nobody, the government or the people, would care. At least not enough to murder me. I'm assuming England is just as free. Is that incorrect?
Let me clarify some things as we all here just say its prohibited - forbidden or whatsoever in Qur'an.
A quote :
Sahih Muslim vol.3 no.5268 (p.1160) says, "Ibn ?Umar reported Allah?s Messenger (may peace be upon him) having said: Those who paint pictures would be punished on the Day of Resurrection and it would be said to them: Breathe soul into what you have created.2519" <- This is about Mohammed a.s.v.m
There are a lot of more quotes about this, this is just an example, there are quotes where it states to punish them even more, and that's why Muslims are really sensitive in these kind of stuff.
I am not trying to defend the Islam, nor go againts Hebdo and say it was a good thing becuase he got "murked" to say so.
It just hurts when you know you should never ever see the face of Muhammed, or someone stupid who drawing his pic, I would personally cut off my best friends head if he tried to draw his pic infront of me. Okay not cut off, but slap him a few times. It hurts for muslims, and people should atleast know that.
And those French people should also get more knowledge about the Jihads, Qaida's and other terrorists who are muslim extremists who are portraying the Islam in a complete different way, and who're taking the gats out to kill people if you say something wrong about Islam.
People should get more knowledge before doing such stuff.