Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Kids name their class teddy bear 'Muhammad,' 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

SUDAN -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.

The BBC has learned the charge could lead to six months in jail, 40 lashes or a fine.

Officials from the British embassy in Khartoum are expected to visit Ms Gibbons in custody.

"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.

The school has been closed until January for fear of reprisals.

This from the BBC.

No comments: