Sudan Accuses Teacher of Islam Insult

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov. 26 â?? The Sudanese police arrested a British schoolteacher and accused her of insulting Islam after she allowed her 7-year-old pupils to name a class teddy bear Muhammad, Sudanese officials said Monday.

The teacher, Gillian Gibbons, was arrested Sunday in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, after a number of parents complained, said Rabie A. Atti, a government spokesman. â??How can you call a bear Muhammad?â?� he said. â??Muhammad is the holy prophet of Islam.â?�

Dr. Rabie said the authorities had obtained a letter Ms. Gibbons sent home with students explaining that her primary school class was doing a project on animals and had adopted a teddy bear named Muhammad.

â??Her letter said there was an intelligent bear named Muhammad, and the letter instructed parents to take pictures with this bear,â?� Dr. Rabie said. â??This is not acceptable, according to the general opinion of our society.â?�

In Islam, insulting the Prophet Muhammad is considered a grave offense, and the law of northern Sudan, where Khartoum lies, makes this a crime.

Unity School, where Ms. Gibbons taught, is known as one of the more expensive private schools in Khartoum. The students are the children of wealthy Sudanese families and foreign diplomats, a mix of mostly Muslims and Christians, and the lessons are in English.

Ms. Gibbons is in jail, pending further investigation, Dr. Rabie said. â??If she is innocent, she will be set free,â?� he said.

If she is guilty, Dr. Rabie said, she will face punishment, possibly including lashes.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/27/wo...tml?ref=africa

Lashings for naming a Teddy Bear Muhammad. What's next?

Have a good one!:s4:

I don't want to appear racist, but Islam is probably the most outrageous and ridiculous religion out there. Come to think of it, all religion is ridiculous. We're nothing but organisms that happen to have evolved on one of the millions of planets in the universe. Structuring law on religion is insane - especially Islam. What was it, a few years ago a 9-year-old girl was raped and went to the authorities, and because she couldn't stop them she was stoned to death!

A peaceful religion it is.

why is it wrong to name a teddy bear muhammed but you can call your children muhammed?

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Originally Posted by yokinazu

why is it wrong to name a teddy bear muhammed but you can call your children muhammed?

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Just what I was thinking. Is a teadybear some kind of derogatory symbol? I think not. They didn't even ask her, once, to change the teadybear's name. *sigh* fanaticism is getting really old; there's a reason we separate religion and government here in the west.

The way it sounds she let her class of 7 year olds vote on a name for the teddy bear.....they voted for Mohammad. One of the parents turned her in because it's "somehow" an insult to Islam.

The scary thing is that these people have the mind set of the middle ages with the technology of today.

Have a good one!:s4:

This is a problem that could be sorted out with a well placed nuclear bomb.

NCM

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Originally Posted by Nightcrewman

This is a problem that could be sorted out with a well placed nuclear bomb.

NCM

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Oh yeah, that'll hinder fanaticism and snuff out the flames of hatred :rolleyes:

The BBC has this story, and the responses from some of the Muslims are in favor of the punishment.
BBC NEWS | Africa | Sudan teddy insult teacher: Readers' views

They need to learn how to live and act like civilized people in the present, not in the world of a thousand years ago.

It boggles the mind as to why a non-Muslim from England would want to go there. Another case of do-gooderism, I guess.

It only boggles your mind, which is why you have to call it do-gooderism instead of conceiving that someone might be interested in learning another culture or influencing it positively in some way.

The Old Testament in the Bible talks about stoning witches,adulterers,homosexuals to death. Muslims are more "true" to their holy texts; they actually carry out the penalties their religion prescribes. The sad thing is that this still happens because the religion's grip on society is so tight as to not have allowed anything different in the past. Westerners had the Crusades and learned they hated it. Hopefully Muslims will get through this Medieval mindset and start inventing again. What wonders the Muslim world brought us at its peak.:jointsmile:

This story really outraged me. Islam does not take criticism well, they are generally too easily offended when we challenge their philosophy. It is not a fact, NOT truth, not evidence or knowledge. It is an idea. Freedom of speech should allow me to use the word mohammed, they don't own the word because they claim to be Islamists. It's not offensive, they're trying to make something more then it is, they're blowing it way out of proportion. The kids democratically voted for the name and some people didn't like it. Boo hoo, cry about it. Too many people are scared to challenge them because they're scared of the backlash. Let's not forget there's an innocent women imprisoned now due to this madness, her freedom and liberty has been taken away due to archaic, religious law..

Yeah I hope somehow the British government can get her out..that is just ridiculous. But it's been seen before..the dutch newspaper cartoon got a real bad reaction(and by that I mean burning flags, riots, anti western protests). They also hate south park i'm pretty sure. and anything else that depicts mohammed.

As for why its ok to name a child Mohammed and not the teddy bear, I think it was because its a material toy? Not that its a terrible one, but I think they'd say that its not sacred enough to be named Mohammed. And if they say that then so be it...but its absurd to lash somebody for that...in fact, i'd even call it uncivilized. And let me be clear im calling the act of lashing uncivilized, not the ones who lash...by no means am i deeming their religion based culture as uncivilized.

Cheers to Gandalf for pointing out the largest difference. We've separated church from state. That is no doubt a huge problem in relations between our culture and theirs.

It was on this lunchtime news that thousands are marching in the Capital of Sudan demanding that the teacher is executed.
This religion really needs some serious problems sent their way to give them something to complain about.

NCM

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Originally Posted by Nightcrewman

It was on this lunchtime news that thousands are marching in the Capital of Sudan demanding that the teacher is executed.
This religion really needs some serious problems sent their way to give them something to complain about.

NCM

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Watching the same story........looks like a good place for a strategic strike!:Tomcat:

Have a good one!:s4:

Rule number one when living in a freign country is :
KNOW THE RULES !
Sorry if this upsets people but the responsibility to know the laws lies with the person , this woman is guilty of stupidity or ignorance. Like the old saying : When in Rome.
I have travelled far and wide and ignorance of local laws and customs can land you in hot water so I make sure to do some research before going to countries I don't know much about.

Point taken, though we have all been stupid or ignorant at some point in our lives does that warrant execution ?

NCM

She's been sentenced to 15 days in prison, but now her life will now be in constant danger from those who would behead her. It's happened before in this country, and other Islamic nations, to people who were thought to have shown disrespect to allah, mohammad, or the muslim priests.

She's been told to leave as soon as she is released:

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There were signs, though, that Ms Gibbons might be allowed out early. The judge told her defence lawyer to prepare her travel documents â?? secure her an exit visa â?? as quickly as possible. Legal analysts said they would be surprised if she served the full sentence. They said that the sentence, reached after eight hours of deliberations, was carefully calibrated to reduce domestic tensions.

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Originally Posted by Breukelen advocaat

She's been sentenced to 15 days in prison, but now her life will now be in constant danger from those who would behead her. It's happened before in this country, and other Islamic nations, to people who were thought to have shown disrespect to allah, mohammad, or the muslim priests.

She's been told to leave as soon as she is released:

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Thats exactly why I stay away from these places , religion is a serious business to these people and I may not agree with it but I also believe that you have to respect the country you go to.

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Originally Posted by psychocat

Thats exactly why I stay away from these places , religion is a serious business to these people and I may not agree with it but I also believe that you have to respect the country you go to.

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Even if you don't do anything to offend them you could be kidnapped, held hostage, and/or face death simply because you're a foreigner and not of their faith.

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Originally Posted by Breukelen advocaat

Even if you don't do anything to offend them you could be kidnapped, held hostage, and/or face death simply because you're a foreigner and not of their faith.

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Yet another reason to let them get on with it and stay the hell away from them.
I make a point of avoiding countries that are war zones , politicaly unstable or just plain mental. :wtf: :D

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Originally Posted by psychocat

Yet another reason to let them get on with it and stay the hell away from them.
I make a point of avoiding countries that are war zones , politicaly unstable or just plain mental. :wtf: :D

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The nation where that teacher lives is all three. :stoned:

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Originally Posted by psychocat

Thats exactly why I stay away from these places , religion is a serious business to these people and I may not agree with it but I also believe that you have to respect the country you go to.

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This is a great philosophy. Sadly, Muslims have ventured away from their domestic shit holes and now infest the entire world. If they want the privilege of moving freely about the world, then they must allow the rest of the world to travel freely in their lands.

Catering to the people of Muslim faith is a huge mistake. They are savages and deserve to be treated as same.

jmo

PC :smokin:

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Originally Posted by PharmaCan

Catering to the people of Muslim faith is a huge mistake. They are savages and deserve to be treated as same.

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It's like the fanatical "God hates fags" type Christians in the US bible belt. Sure there are a lot of them, and they cause a lot of problems, but they do not represent Christians in general. Likewise, it's totally unfair to just say "Muslims" are savages and fanatics all.

Tried giving you rep for that post Gandalf but I gotta spread some around .
Well said man.

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Originally Posted by Gandalf_The_Grey

Likewise, it's totally unfair to just say "Muslims" are savages and fanatics all.

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i'm sure that there were plenty of members of the nazi party that were peaceful well meaning people, but today the term "nazi" is practically an obscenity. when are we going to reach the point at which we are willing to say that the philosophy of islam has bred enough dangerous fanatics that it is just as vile? is it the fact that it has been labeled a "religion" the reason that everyone is so scared to condemn this root of so much needless bloodshed? can the unwillingness to condemn the savage attacks of fanatics by much of the world's muslim community be seen as anything but tacit approval? for a religion of peace, it would seem that its peaceful members are an extreme minority.

America has Christian fanatics calling for the death of any woman who dares to have an abortion , should we nuke the Bible belt too ?

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Originally Posted by psychocat

America has Christian fanatics calling for the death of any woman who dares to have an abortion , should we nuke the Bible belt too ?

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might not be a bad idea.;)

however;

you don't often find those folks strapping explosives on and blowing up their neighbors. you seldom see massive crowds of civilized people chanting for the death of a school teacher whose only crime was in naming a toy.

doesn't any of this seem a bit odd to you, or are you too engrossed by the role of muslim apologist to even bother to consider the reality of the situation? there are far too many folks making far too many excuses for every asshole's shoddy behavior. we seem to now exist in a world where everything is either a disease or someone else's fault, the perpetrator is never to blame. i've listened to every fool under the sun making asinine excuses for what is really just destruction in the name of a meaningless bit of doggerel scribbled deep in the sands of time. i often wonder if they realize how foolish they actually sound.

I find religion to be a form of insanity so to me they are all nutters regardless of faith.
I rarely apologise for myself so I'm not going to do it for muslims or christians or even the bleedin mormons.
You seem to fail to understand that I am not saying thier reaction is right or wrong , I am saying "she should've been more aware of the laws", in any court anywhere in the world ignorance is no excuse.
You are also unaware of my stance on crime and punishment since I strongly believe in the edict of "Do the crime only if you can do the time".
The reality of the situation is that when you're in another mans country you live by thier rules.

Someone on the radio today suggesting flying a plane load of bears with Mohammed name tags and dropping them all over the country LOL

It really is beyond ridiculous, I saw a picture of this women I can't imagine what she is going through right now, it's really fucking terrible. They are calling for her to be shot as well! The ironic thing is if she does get shot it'd be at the barrel of a gun sold to her by Britain or America probably.

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Originally Posted by psychocat

America has Christian fanatics calling for the death of any woman who dares to have an abortion , should we nuke the Bible belt too ?

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But unlike Sudan these people don't sit on the courts, run the country or have tens of thousands of people in the streets supporting them. A little fact you (as usual) missed.

BTW I've been away psychocat, being back I see you still view the world ( and everything in it) through your "I hate America" glasses.

Your stuck in a rut, boy.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gandalf_The_Grey

It's like the fanatical "God hates fags" type Christians in the US bible belt. Sure there are a lot of them, and they cause a lot of problems, but they do not represent Christians in general. Likewise, it's totally unfair to just say "Muslims" are savages and fanatics all.

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I'm sorry, but it is as much the fault of the moderate Muslims as it is of the fanatics. Muslims are a religious society and it is the responsibility of that society to control its members. This is the old, "If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem." thing. If you allow savagery in your society, then you are guilty of savagery whether you commit the physical act or not.

jmo

PC :smokin:

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Originally Posted by Ozarks

But unlike Sudan these people don't sit on the courts, run the country or have tens of thousands of people in the streets supporting them. A little fact you (as usual) missed.

BTW I've been away psychocat, being back I see you still view the world ( and everything in it) through your "I hate America" glasses.

Your stuck in a rut, boy.

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Please try to get it right I do not hate America just American interference in countries that don't abide by Americas ideas of what is right and wrong.
What gives the US the right to dictate to others ?
As I have already said in previous posts "hasn't Bush already proclaimed that it's the CHRISTIAN duty to oppose thier (muslims) evil ideas"?
Religious zealots are a plague that has no place in modern society but creating martyrs by killing your enemies will only lead to more violence.
I would be happy to see all religious groups wipe each other out .

However in this case of the teacher who went to a muslim country and didn't even do some basic research about the laws then all I can say is "stupid bloody woman".

Quote:

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Originally Posted by psychocat

Please try to get it right I do not hate America just American interference in countries that don't abide by Americas ideas of what is right and wrong.
What gives the US the right to dictate to others ?
As I have already said in previous posts "hasn't Bush already proclaimed that it's the CHRISTIAN duty to oppose thier (muslims) evil ideas"?
Religious zealots are a plague that has no place in modern society but creating martyrs by killing your enemies will only lead to more violence.
I would be happy to see all religious groups wipe each other out .

However in this case of the teacher who went to a muslim country and didn't even do some basic research about the laws then all I can say is "stupid bloody woman".

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I 100% agree.

We may not like another countries policies, or find an incident like this barbaric, but as long as it does not harm the US in any form, it's none of our business to get involved, or have Bush make an official comment.

When you go to another country, you have to be aware of their laws, and at least appear to respect them.

biggest loads of bollox EVER

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Originally Posted by chisme

biggest loads of bollox EVER

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What an insightful and educated remark :S2:

When laws are run by religion, these farcical events happen. I agree, for a middle aged women, (teacher) she should know the rules of where she's teaching and living. Do the penalties fit the crime? Absolutely not, any rational person would surely agree, any non ration would wish death upon her. I feel bad for the intelligent Muslims in the world who will now face even more discrimination due to these extremists. Where's the forgiveness Sudan?

George Galloway talking about this on his radio show now:

talkSPORT - Live Sports Radio | Live Premier League | Live Scores

I don't know if anyone's commented on this, I'm too lazy to look around a lot. But there is a lot of hype surrounding that teacher that was imprisoned in Sudan for okaying the name of a teddy bear Mohammad. She won't get lashed or anything, just deported, plus this jail-time. I just think she was uber stupid. She was in an Islamic state for God's sake. Plenty of Christians would get just as upset if she had named a teddy bear Jesus. She is an idiot and doesn't need to teaching anybody anything.

edit: oops. sorry. I just saw the thread about this in politics. sorry.

the most retarded thing about thisis A the teddy was named after the students and B there is a child with the name mohamed in the class.

why werent the childrens parents in prisioned for making him a deity.

i swear down there best be troops there to escort her home. cus if it goes wrong there will be hell to pay

LOL, I just ordered a bunch of shirts over this whole thing, nice to see y'all are on top of this too! :thumbsup:

Check out the graphic: (msg me if u wanna score one.)