Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

British Teacher Charged in Teddy Bear Flap

Jail, lashes could be punishment for 'insult to Islam' in Sudan

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 28, 2007 3:35 PM CST
Email

(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.

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 arrested on blasphemy charges for letting her students name a teddy bear Muhammad. Gibbons was...
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 allegedly insulting Islam's prophet by allowing children to call a teddy bear Mohammed. (Isam Al-Haj/AFP/Getty Images)
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 Islam's prophet by allowing children to call a teddy bear Mohammed. (Isam Al-Haj/AFP/Getty 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)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Sudan levels charges against British teddy bear offender
AFP

Teacher was in Africa 'to start new life'
Telegraph (UK)

 
Africa • Sudan • Islamic Sharia law • Britain • teddy bears

More Newser Stories

Sudan Will Jail, Deport Teddy Bear Teacher

Teddy Teacher Spurs UK to Kill Own Blasphemy Law

'Terrified' Teddy Bear Teacher Happy to Be Home

Teddy Bear Teacher Goes Free

World's Newest Country Picks a Name
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne