In recent years cartoons have proved a hot topic in association with the depiction of the Prophet, and politically sensitive topics in the Middle East.

However, since June 2008, following the arrest of 520 Al-Qaeda operatives who had planned to strike oil facilities and economic centers in eastern Saudi Arabia, Saudi papers focused on condemning terrorism and terrorist ideology, through articles and cartoons.

The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) has a collection of the depictions, including the following, by cartoonists Muhammad Mas’ud, Jihad Awartany, and Hajed:

It looks like the cartoon has come full circle, in Saudi eyes at least.

To view the full collection, click here.