November 28, 2007

Mohammed-Teddy-Bear-Gate: Day 3

The hearing for British teacher Jillain Gibbons resulted in her being charged with insulting religion (Islam/Muhammad) and inciting hatred for allowing her students to name a teddy bear Muhammed. The name was chosen by a student named er uh Muhammad

Via Fox News: KHARTOUM, Sudan — Sudan charged a British teacher on Wednesday with insulting religion, inciting hatred, - a crime punishable by up to 40 lashes, six months in prison or a fine, Reuters reported.

The charges come a day after a 7-year-old Sudanese boy said Gilliam Gibbons, 54, asked him, as part of a school assignment, what he wanted to call the stuffed animal and he said, 'Muhammad,' after his name, Reuters reported....

...Gibbons, of the private Unity High School in Khartoum, was arrested Sunday after one of her pupils' parents complained, accusing her of naming the bear after Islam's chief prophet. Muhammad is a common name among Muslim men, but connecting the prophet's name to an animal could be seen as insulting by many Muslims.

Several Sudanese newspapers Tuesday ran a statement reportedly from Unity High School saying that Gibbons had been "removed from work at the school" and apologizing for any offense, though it said the incident was a "misunderstanding."

The boy said when he suggested they name the bear Muhammad, he wasn't thinking of Islam's Prophet, Reuters reported.

He also said most of the class agreed with him on the name, Reuters reported.

Hat Tip: Vicki.

UPDATE: Michelle has contact info for Sudanese embassy.