A British teacher at a high school in Sudan, Gillian Gibbons, 54, was arrested on blasphemy charges for allowing her six- and seven-year-old students to name a class teddy bear "Mohammed," says the Telegraph. She was interrogated for five hours, according to the Daily Mail, and the teacher now may face forty lashes and six months in prison. Protests against Ms. Gibbons, a divorced mother of two, have broken out all over Sudan and the school has been closed through January to prevent retaliation. On one hand, you want to say Ms. Gibbons should have known to avoid the name, especially given the recent Danish cartoon debacle, which resulted in dozens of deaths. The Koran say, "[Allah is] the originator of the heavens and the earth... [there is] nothing like a likeness of Him." The ban is supposed to prevent idolatry.
But it's hard to make a case the class' teddy bear project, which involved students taking "Mohammed" the bear home and recording his "activities" in a diary, could be construed as deliberately insulting.
Hassan Aberdeen, a researcher at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, quoted in Sky News, says that the anger over this does indeed seem to be disproportionate, even given Sudan's strict Islamic Sharia law. He says, "It seems that the parents made an issue of the teacher calling an animal Mohammed. Calling him a dog or a pig is insulting, but this is just a teddy bear."
And who would think the teddy bear (whose name was voted on by the class; Assan and Abdullah lost to Mohammed) was actually intended as a representation of the prophet? And who would imagine he would turn the students into teddy bear cultists?
It just seems like a logical fallacy to say that calling a teddy bear Mohammed is the same as calling Mohammed a teddy bear. After all, Muslim children are routinely named Mohammed; no one thinks they're being cast as reincarnations of the prophet.
In the case of the Danish cartoons, the image was actually supposed to represent the true Mohammed. Suddenly, by comparison to this, the rage over those little sketches seems imminently reasonable.
(Photo of Gibbons is from her Friends Reunited account via Reuters)
Reader Comments ( Page 3 of 43)
31. I think it is more than a little ridiculous that this is such a big deal and even more ridiculous that zealots (Muslim and Christian) are using this situation to spread hate. Kim Amanda and Ruth, thank you for being logical and sane in the midst of all these fanatical haters.
Nobodyezpuppet at 11:10AM on Nov 29th 2007
32. ISLAM CAN KISS OFF AND GO AWAY. THE WORLD WOULD BE BETTER OFF WITH OUT THEM
GARY at 1:21PM on Nov 27th 2007
33. Most Muslims are Idiots
Not-Islamic at 1:05PM on Nov 27th 2007
34. Irrational, violent children...
Anthony at 1:05PM on Nov 27th 2007
35. To all those who say that it is just a teddy bear, an object of love. Just understand that it is precisely because it is not a person that the muslims are offended. Mohammed is a common name given to boys. The logic behind the Sudanese government being narrow minded is wrong. I don't agree with corporal punishment and six months in jail, but as a teacher, this jewish woman knew exactly what she was doing. As a christian I can't stand the likes of Sarah Silverman who pretends to be in a church, making fun of all christians and all of a suddent these christians (all jewish actors) make fun of christianism. There is no reason to insult people but it is common to see jews go after christians. I believe this woman did it deliberately. As for the Sarah Silverman show, I was dumbfounded when I saw it. It has nothing to do with tolerance. Jews don't accept to be insulted but they do it regularly to christians. Therefore that woman in my opinion should be booted out of Sudan and stop causing more crap for those who would not insult other people's religions. Regardless of whether their sensitivities are exagerated or normal.
Charles at 1:06PM on Nov 27th 2007
36. Please people! Read the Gospel of Matthew particularly the part where Jesus warns us of FALSE prophets!
Phil at 1:16PM on Nov 27th 2007
37. Mike Lawer you are obviously a moron and couldn't find your own ass with both hands and a flashlight.
As far as me being a muslim, hardly.
All religions are cults and behave as such, no exceptions. I stopped believing in santa at about 5 or so. Isn't it time you let go of your fairy tale?
And if you want to knck brain boxes on mid east policy, just let me know jaquoff.
Richard at 1:11PM on Nov 27th 2007
38. #22 Charles,
You did not read the article, it says that the class named the Teddy.
I am getting upset at all the loosers in this country that are ready to stick up for wackos. Even if she did it on purpose, its no reason to hit someone. All you defenders of these wackos, they would kill you first if they had the chance.
I am a Marine, who served in Iraq, Afganistan and Saudi Arabia, I have seen them from up close.
Mike Lawyer at 8:43PM on Nov 27th 2007
39. This isn't even an act of so-called "Islamimc justice"--it's an act of war, in all but name.
Time to call in the SAS.
mmitcheroo at 1:11PM on Nov 27th 2007
40. Why do we even bother to debate about anything the MUSLIM Countrys do? No one in their right mind would do some of the things they do in the name of GOD ALMIGHTY.
JERRJ HAIRSTON at 1:10PM on Nov 27th 2007
41. All of reactions by these people are disproportionate to the offense.
old timer at 1:11PM on Nov 27th 2007
42. It's amazing how a teacher and a teddy bear can cause so much controversy!!!
Rhonda at 7:52PM on Nov 29th 2007
43. Those people are so igronant over there!!! I would have never gone there to teach or even visit.
nancy verne at 1:13PM on Nov 27th 2007
44. wow, it's like the Christian fundamentalists.
They're all whack.
I hate religon!
All religons.
ryan charisma at 1:13PM on Nov 27th 2007
45. # 29 Charles,
You are a fake!
I am Xristian and love Silverman, she is funny!! That is NOT offensive. You are obviously an anti semite and chances are that you a muslim too!
Semper Fi
Mike Lawyer at 8:43PM on Nov 27th 2007