Teacher jailed over teddy bear

Upton · #1 (**permalink**) 11-29-2007, 02:17 PM

Jailed because her school class teddy bear was named Muhammed? A little touchy or what?

Quote:

UK teacher jailed over teddy row

A British teacher has been found guilty in Sudan of insulting religion after she allowed her primary school class to name a teddy bear Muhammad.

Gillian Gibbons, 54, from Liverpool, has been sentenced to 15 days in prison and will then be deported.

She had been accused on three counts of insulting religion, inciting hatred and showing contempt for religious beliefs.

The Foreign Office said it was extremely disappointed by the verdict. Her lawyer says she will now appeal.

The Sudanese ambassador is being called back to the Foreign Office to explain the decision.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband said he was also "extremely disappointed" the charges had not been dismissed and repeated his view that it had been an "innocent misunderstanding by a dedicated teacher".

"Our priority now is to ensure Ms Gibbons' welfare, and we will continue to provide consular assistance to her," he said.

"I have called in the Sudanese ambassador this evening to explain the decision and to discuss next steps."

Officials at the Foreign Office say the mood has changed as a result of the verdict.

The prime minister, Sudanese embassy officials in London and UK Muslim organisations all expressed the hope that Mrs Gibbons would be released.

But Sudan's top clerics had called for the full measure of the law to be used against Mrs Gibbons and labelled her actions part of a Western plot against Islam.

She could have faced up to 40 lashes.

In September, Mrs Gibbons allowed her class of primary school pupils to name the teddy bear Muhammad as part of a study of animals and their habitats.

The court heard that she was arrested on Sunday after another member of staff at Unity High School complained to the Ministry of Education.

The school's director Robert Boulos told the AP news agency: "It's a very fair verdict, she could have had six months and lashes and a fine, and she only got 15 days and deportation."

He said Mrs Gibbons would only serve another 10 days in prison having already spent five in custody since her arrest.

Prosecutor general Salah Eddin Abu Zaid had said Mrs Gibbons could expect a "swift and fair trial".

But Catherine Wolthuizen, chief executive of Fair Trials International, said Mrs Gibbons' treatment was excessive.

She said: "It was a very speedy justice process. Although she has been found guilty of all the counts of causing offence, she has thankfully not been subjected to 40 lashes.

"Having said this, 15 days in a Sudanese prison for an innocent misunderstanding is a serious and harsh punishment indeed."

BBC NEWS | Africa | UK teacher jailed over teddy row

Skinny Fatts · #2 (**permalink**) 11-29-2007, 02:28 PM

Sadly...I don't think it's touchy at all. We should never view a particular religion through the lens of our own worldview.

nathanbforrest45 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-29-2007, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skinny Fatts

Sadly...I don't think it's touchy at all. We should never view a particular religion through the lens of our own worldview.

I hate to say this but if this minor an infraction could lead this the potential of this punishment wasn't her employer a bit remiss in not really really really stressing how insane these folks are when it comes to religion? If she knew the possible reaction that might be created and chose to allow this anyway then perhaps she deserves the punishment. In this country we put rapist in jail and get counceling for thier victims. In moslem countries they put the victim in jail and give the rapist a slap on the wrist. Would we want to adhere to their system of punishment if a moslem man raped a moslem woman in this country? I feel sorry for the school marm but it may very well be that she knew the potential outcome and decided to flaunt it anyway.

noneof yourbusiness · #4 (**permalink**) 11-29-2007, 05:00 PM

uhh its a name. How many Arabs do you know with that name? I dont know any but I KNOW OF many from member lists and otehr online things and TV and shit. How many HEE SOOZZS are there in Mexico "jesus" shit like that. Its bullshit. I have three letters for the British goverment..S A S!!!!!!! GET IN THERE!!! AND GET HER OUT!!

itsplayed · #5 (**permalink**) 11-30-2007, 05:53 PM

....as Islam becomes more radicalized each day.....what a dangerous joke this cult is.

Teak · #6 (**permalink**) 11-30-2007, 06:12 PM

Just goes to show, if you are going to travel to, or work in, a foreign country, it's in YOUR best interest to know the culture, and laws.

ONEWHITEDUCK · #7 (**permalink**) 11-30-2007, 06:35 PM

Fuck Culture And Law

Learn The Art Of God Attack And Kick Thier Bully Asses

Realist1 · #8 (**permalink**) 11-30-2007, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teak

Just goes to show, if you are going to travel to, or work in, a foreign country, it's in YOUR best interest to know the culture, and laws.

It's in no ones interest to travel into the 12th Century Islamic Asshole Cesspool. But you're correct in your observations toward the rest of the World.

Common Courtesy to another Culture dictates it.

Peace Teak.

Teak · #9 (**permalink**) 11-30-2007, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Realist1

It's in no ones interest to travel into the 12th Century Islamic Asshole Cesspool. But you're correct in your observations toward the rest of the World.

Common Courtesy to another Culture dictates it.

Peace Teak.

Better be careful. Those 12th century cesspools can shut THIS country down, by just closing off the oil spigot.

You may not like them (I don't), but until you develop a replacement for oil, or decide to park your SUV, and live without all the other petroleum based products, you've got to put up with them.

Realist1 · #10 (**permalink**) 11-30-2007, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teak

Better be careful. Those 12th century cesspools can shut THIS country down, by just closing off the oil spigot.

You may not like them (I don't), but until you develop a replacement for oil, or decide to park your SUV, and live without all the other petroleum based products, you've got to put up with them.

We have more oil in the Tri-State Sector than the entire Middle East has. That and the Alaska Reserves, plus every off-shore site yet to be tapped.

You may ask "Why we haven't Drilled Yet"? Ask your local Liberal Looney Environmental Whacko...