The "Super Best Friends" episode of "South Park," which is the third episode of the fifth season, was originally aired on July 4, 2001. This episode became controversial and was later banned from being re-aired or streamed on many platforms due to its depiction of religious figures, including the Prophet Muhammad. The primary reason for the ban relates to the representation of the Prophet Muhammad, which is considered blasphemous in Islam. Islamic tradition generally prohibits any visual depiction of Muhammad to avoid idolatry. Many Muslims throughout the world consider any portrayal of the Prophet, especially one that might be seen as disrespectful or humorous, to be deeply offensive. The episode features a superhero team named the "Super Best Friends," which consists of major figures from several world religions, including Jesus Christ, Buddha, Moses, Joseph Smith, Krishna, Lao Tzu, and Muhammad, who is presented as having the power of flame. While the episode initially did not cause a significant outcry upon its original air date, the sensitivity surrounding depictions of Muhammad increased in subsequent years, particularly after the controversial Danish newspaper cartoons depicting Muhammad were published in 2005, leading to global protests and violence. As a result of the heightened sensitivities and to avoid offending viewers, Comedy Central made the decision to remove the "Super Best Friends" episode from their broadcasting rotation. The episode was also excluded from streaming platforms and was not available for purchase on platforms such as iTunes or on the official South Park website. It is worth noting that this censorship occurred within the broader context of the show's creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, pushing the boundaries of satire and free speech. The later episode titled "200" and "201," which revisited the controversy by attempting to feature Muhammad again, was heavily censored by Comedy Central, with all images and references to the Prophet bleeped out. Despite the creators' intentions to comment on the nature of censorship itself, these episodes also faced bans and have been subject to censorship in their re-airing and distribution. The "Super Best Friends" episode and related controversies highlight the challenges and tensions that can arise when attempting to satirize religious beliefs and figures, especially within an increasingly globalized media landscape where content can quickly spread and provoke international reactions. The episode remains an example of how cultural and religious sensitivities can influence media companies' decisions to limit the distribution of certain content.