Teddy Bear Case Sparks Global Controversy
By Melissa Charbonneau
CBN News White House Correspondent
November 30, 2007
CBNNews.com - WASHINGTON - Thousands of Muslims crowded the streets of Sudan today. They're demanding the execution of a British teacher in their country. Her crime: She let her students name a teddy bear 'Muhammad.'
Sentence: 15 Days in Jail and Deportment
A court in Sudan has sentenced British teacher Gillian Gibbons to 15 days in jail and deportment, setting aside an earlier sentence of 40 lashes with a bamboo cane.
Click play to watch CBN News White House Correspondent Melissa Charbonneau's report.
"Gillian had no intention of insulting or upsetting anyone in the project she undertook," said Peter Price, chairman of the National Primary Teachers' Association.
The 54-year-old mother of two, who taught at a private school in Khartoum, was charged with inciting hatred against Islam for letting students name their class teddy bear Mohammed.'
Sudanese officials say the legal reaction would be the same to insults against Jesus or Moses.
"Both sides have agreed that relations should not be affected by this and that so much is at stake and there is respect from both sides," Sudanese spokesman Dr. Khalid al-Mubarak said.
"Most of the Muslims in this country… they are so used to this idea of teddy bear by children that they didn't take offense. But obviously the Sudanese Muslims have been offended and as such I think an apology is due," Mohammad Akbar Ali, chairman of Liverpool Mosque, said.
International Outrage
But the Sudan case has sparked international condemnation of flogging, an Islamic practice common in Gulf States that practice sharia law.
Saudi Arabia's courts are now under fire and say they'll review the conviction of a 19-year-old girl condemned to 200 lashes and six months in jail. The teen was charged with adultery after being gang raped by seven men.
Those who defend flogging sentences are calling criticism of the custom a Western plot against Islam.
Western critics say the practice is "abusive and beyond reason." They're hoping world pressure will force countries to find more humane methods of punishing crime.
CBN IS HERE FOR YOU!
Are you seeking answers in life? Are you hurting?
Are you facing a difficult situation?
A caring friend will be there to pray with you in your time of need.
