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August 30, 2008 1:46:41 AM CDT

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British Teacher Charged in Teddy Bear Flap

Posted Nov 28, 07 3:35 CST in World 

(Newser) – The British teacher held in Sudan for committing blasphemy by naming a teddy bear “Muhammed” has been charged with insulting religion, inciting hatred and showing contempt for religious beliefs, the BBC reports. The UK Foreign Secretary said he would summon the Sudanese ambassador; Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was "surprised and disappointed" that Gillian Gibbons might face the lash.

The UK government hopes to "understand the rationale behind the charge" before deciding on a formal response. The Muslim Council of Britain was clear on its: "This disgraceful decision defies common sense. There was clearly no intention on the part of the teacher to deliberately insult the Islamic faith," a statement said. Gibbons is expected to appear in court tomorrow.

Source BBC

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A Sudanese man walks by the Unity High School in central Khartoum, Sudan, on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007. This elite private school is shut down since one of its teachers, Briton Gillian Gibbons, 54, was...   (Associated Press)
A Sudanese woman adjusts a teddy bear at a shop in Khartoum, 27 November 2007. Sudanese authorities said today they were stepping up an investigation into a British teacher, Gillian Gibbons, held for...   (Getti Images)
Teddy bears are seen at a shop in Khartoum, 27 November 2007. Sudanese authorities said today they were stepping up an investigation into a British teacher, Gillian Gibbons, held for allegedly insulting...   (Getty Images)
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Great Britain  • Africa  • Sudan  • Islamic Sharia law  • teddy bears


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