Dante Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 'Muhammad' teddy teacher arrested A British schoolteacher has been arrested in Sudan accused of insulting Islam's Prophet, after she allowed her pupils to name a teddy bear Muhammad. Colleagues of Gillian Gibbons, 54, from Liverpool, said she made an "innocent mistake" by letting the six and seven-year-olds choose the name. Ms Gibbons was arrested after several parents made complaints. A spokesman from the British Embassy in Sudan's capital, Khartoum, said it was unclear whether she had been charged. Embassy officials are expected to visit Ms Gibbons in custody later. "We are in contact with the authorities here and they have visited the teacher and she is in a good condition," an embassy spokesman said. The spokesman said the naming of the teddy happened months ago and was chosen by the children because it is a common name in the country. "This happened in September and the parents did not have a problem with it," he said. 'Very sensitive' The BBC's correspondent Amber Henshaw said Ms Gibbons' punishment could be up to six months in jail, 40 lashes or a fine. The school has been closed until January for fear of reprisals. Fellow teachers at Khartoum's Unity High School told Reuters news agency they feared for Ms Gibbons' safety after receiving reports that men had started gathering outside the police station where she was being held. The school's director, Robert Boulos, said: "This is a very sensitive issue. We are very worried about her safety. They came up with eight names including Abdullah, Hassan and Muhammad Robert Boulos Director of Unity High School "This was a completely innocent mistake. Miss Gibbons would have never wanted to insult Islam." Mr Boulos said Ms Gibbons was following a British national curriculum course designed to teach young pupils about animals and this year's topic was the bear. Ms Gibbons, who joined the school in August, asked a seven-year-old girl to bring in her teddy bear and asked the class to pick names for it, he said. "They came up with eight names including Abdullah, Hassan and Muhammad," Mr Boulos said, adding that she then had the children vote on a name. Twenty out of the 23 children chose Muhammad as their favourite name. Mr Boulos said each child was then allowed to take the bear home at weekends and told to write a diary about what they did with it. He said the children's entries were collected in a book with a picture of the bear on the cover and a message which read, "My name is Muhammad." Book seized The bear itself was not marked or labelled with the name in any way, he added. It is seen as an insult to Islam to attempt to make an image of the Prophet Muhammad. Mr Boulos said Ms Gibbons was arrested on Sunday at her home inside the school premises after a number of parents complained to Sudan's Ministry of Education. I know Gillian and she would never have meant it as an insult. I was just impressed that she got them to vote Muslim colleague in Sudan He said police had seized the book and asked to interview the girl who owned the bear. The country's state-controlled Sudanese Media Centre reported that charges were being prepared "under article 125 of the criminal law" which covers insults against faith and religion. No-one at the ministries of education or justice was available for comment. Mr Boulos told the BBC he was confident she would not face a jail sentence. "So far there is not any formal accusation, you see, so it wouldn't reach that, it will be just a fine. We are struggling with the authorities and our advocates to just release her, and then the whole case will be dismissed," he said. One Muslim teacher at the independent school for Christian and Muslim children, who has a child in Ms Gibbons' class, said she had not found the project offensive. "I know Gillian and she would never have meant it as an insult. I was just impressed that she got them to vote," the teacher said. In Liverpool, a family spokeswoman said Ms Gibbons' grown children, John and Jessica - both believed to be in their 20s - were not commenting on her arrest. "I have spoken with her children and they do not want to say anything and aggravate the situation over there," she said. Friends and neighbours of Ms Gibbons expressed their worry for the former deputy headteacher and respected educator who moved to Sudan in July. "Gillian is a very talented and able teacher and she was extremely popular with the pupils at this school," said Gillian Jones, Ms Gibbons former colleague at Dovecot Primary School in suburban Aigburth. Cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad printed in several European newspapers sparked violent protests around the world in 2006. What the world coming to Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roostophe Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 The fuck? The children named the bear Mohammed, and they think they're naming it after the prophet. And so the teacher gets done for allowing it? Even though there are many Muslims with the name Mohammed? Fucking fucking fuck of the fuckest kind in the fuck we call the fucking world! It beggars belief, it really does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Mcoy Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 Mocy thinks Islam can fuck right off, we have the right to say Muhammad and call a teddy bear that, if they don't like that well they can start a holy war for Allah or something Mcoy is pissed because the same religious ***** thinks Christmas is against their relligion in Britain and want it banned while they celebrate everything with their religion and claim racism when we don't allow them one tiny thing, well get off Britian then dumbfucks and let me enjoy my Christmas and allow me to call my Bears Muhammad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triforcemario Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 FOR FUCKS SAKE! This is just gone too fucking far now! I swear to God, Muslims are literally taking control of the entire goverment in the U.K now! Edit: Ignore, I made this post without reading the article properly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slaggis Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 This just proves how utterly ridiculous religion has become in the world. Utter and complete bollocks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fierce_LiNk Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 FOR FUCKS SAKE! This is just gone too fucking far now! I swear to God, Muslims are literally taking control of the entire goverment in the U.K now! What's the UK Government got to do with anything? This took place in Sudan, and that's where the problem lies. But anyway, this is really daft. Many Muslims themselves are called Mohammed, and it's mostly seen as a mark of respect. It's considered an honour to be called that, and this was clearly done innocently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshMat Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 FOR FUCKS SAKE! This is just gone too fucking far now! I swear to God, Muslims are literally taking control of the entire goverment in the U.K now! This wasn't in the UK just so you know.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cube Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 Ms Gibbons was arrested after several parents made complaints. I vote to bring back the death penalty so people like these parents can be aptly punished. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triforcemario Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 What's the UK Government got to do with anything? This took place in Sudan, and that's where the problem lies. But anyway, this is really daft. Many Muslims themselves are called Mohammed, and it's mostly seen as a mark of respect. It's considered an honour to be called that, and this was clearly done innocently. This wasn't in the UK just so you know.....Fuck, didn't read the article properly then Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshMat Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 Aye, it'd be worrying if someone was given 40 lashings for a crime in this country. (not a bad idea, lash the rapists's cock off and all) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tellyn Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 See, this is why religion is a bad thing. It almost beats the time Christmas lights were going to be renamed as 'festive lights', and also when piggy banks were going to be disallowed, or something along those lines. I vote to bring back the death penalty so people like these parents can be aptly punished. I concur. Lad in my media class today said he agreed with the Sudanese police. :/ Then again, he agrees with the Pakistani authorities' stance on rape... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinist Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 [sarcasm] i would be insulted too if someone named an inanimate object after the founder of my religion [/sarcasm] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dante Posted November 26, 2007 Author Share Posted November 26, 2007 Aye, it'd be worrying if someone was given 40 lashings for a crime in this country. (not a bad idea, lash the rapists's cock off and all) Nothing happens to rapists but the victims gets 100 lashs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strider Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 Well thats just down right daft. I say we arrest them for being a bunch of cocks, it's about a good a reason as them arresting her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 I hate Islam, I really really hate it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paj! Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 Reality >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>Religions that make up shite rules. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 We really need to keep Islam out of this country. If it was up to the followers of Islam, we'd be allowing sharia law here. Look at most of the countries which have Islam as it's main religion, would you want to live in them? I wouldn't. I have no problem with some immigration, just keep shitty religions out of here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pancake Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 They all need sectioned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The fish Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 I concur. Lad in my media class today said he agreed with the Sudanese police. :/ Then again, he agrees with the Pakistani authorities' stance on rape... Suggest he goes an lives in the Sudan, and see how he likes it. And then slap him for being a tw@. Oh, look, a religion has gone and made itself look really, really stupid by sticking it's nose were it isn't needed. Again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goron_3 Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 Ahhh Islam, my least favourite of religions due to the extremists. *sigh* Religion can be fine, but ffs you were given a brain for a reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fierce_LiNk Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 We really need to keep Islam out of this country. If it was up to the followers of Islam, we'd be allowing sharia law here. Look at most of the countries which have Islam as it's main religion, would you want to live in them? I wouldn't. I have no problem with some immigration, just keep shitty religions out of here. I can vouch for that. If any of you fuckers think about naming a teddy after me or owt, I'll be hanging you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tellyn Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 I vote to bring back the death penalty so people like these parents can be aptly punished. Suggest he goes an lives in the Sudan, and see how he likes it.And then slap him for being a tw@. Oh, look, a religion has gone and made itself look really, really stupid by sticking it's nose were it isn't needed. Again. Popular beliefs of his: Anyone who wears a short skirt is a prostitute, and should therefore be killed If he was in charge, everyone would be Islam Something about killing people who weren't Islam Told me a story about a woman who stole jewellery in Pakistan and had her hands cut off. He saw it as a fitting punishment. A rape victim in Pakistan needs at least 5 male witnesses, otherwise it's adultery and she gets stoned/lashed/jailed. Pakistan is the best country in the world... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goron_3 Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 Popular beliefs of his: Anyone who wears a short skirt is a prostitute, and should therefore be killed If he was in charge, everyone would be Islam Something about killing people who weren't Islam Told me a story about a woman who stole jewellery in Pakistan and had her hands cut off. He saw it as a fitting punishment. A rape victim in Pakistan needs at least 5 male witnesses, otherwise it's adultery and she gets stoned/lashed/jailed. Pakistan is the best country in the world... I bet you he's a paki... Also, India > Pakistan. FACT! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 I can vouch for that. If any of you fuckers think about naming a teddy after me or owt, I'll be hanging you. It was an exageration of mine for sure, but there have been polls where 40% of muslims in the UK want sharia law here. That's 40% too many. We don't need it, and shouldn't have to put up it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fierce_LiNk Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 It was an exageration of mine for sure, but there have been polls where 40% of muslims in the UK want sharia law here. That's 40% too many. We don't need it, and shouldn't have to put up it. Yeah, but then who was included in this poll? Did they ask 100 extremists what their views were, for example? I sure as hell wasn't included in that poll. The majority of Muslims you'll meet are probably not all that different from yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts