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

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Teddy Bear Teacher Goes Free

Amid protests over pardon, educator to head home to UK

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 3, 2007 11:36 AM CST
Email

(Newser) – Gillian Gibbons was released today after a week behind Sudanese bars and apologized "if I have caused any distress," the Guardian reports. Though some called for her death, Gibbons wasn’t bearing a grudge. “I have encountered nothing but kindness from the Sudanese people,” she said in a statement. A spokesman for Sudan’s London embassy said protesters represented a fringe element.

“I’m sure she’ll be quite embarrassed to be on the news permanently,” said Gibbons' relieved son. But in Sudan, tension has built over the case, and “many Sudanese will see it as unfair to them,” said a government spokesman. In Britain, Muslims largely supported Gibbons, something Gordon Brown was quick to point out.

Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir talks during a press conference in Khartoum, Sudan, Monday Dec. 3, 2007, after he agreed to pardon a British teacher jailed here after she allowed her students to name a teddy bear Muhammad. The teacher, Gillian Gibbons, said she did not intend to offend anyone and...
Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir talks during a press conference in Khartoum, Sudan, Monday Dec. 3, 2007, after he agreed to pardon a British teacher jailed here after she allowed her students to name...   (Associated Press)
Guardsmen changing the guard outside St James's Palace march past protesters holding placards and teddy bears outside the Sudanese Embassy in London, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2007. The demonstrators were there protesting the 15 day prison term given to British school teacher Gillian Gibbons for calling a teddy bear Mohammed in...
Guardsmen changing the guard outside St James's Palace march past protesters holding placards and teddy bears outside the Sudanese Embassy in London, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2007. The demonstrators were there...   (Associated Press)
Sudanese demonstrators burn a newspaper bearing the story and photo of Gillian Gibbons on its frontpage during a protest in Khartoum against the verdict handed down to the British teacher accused of insulting Islam, November 30, 2007. Thousands of angry Sudanese, some brandishing swords and sticks, marched through the center...
Sudanese demonstrators burn a newspaper bearing the story and photo of Gillian Gibbons on its frontpage during a protest in Khartoum against the verdict handed down to the British teacher accused of insulting...   (Getty Images)
British schoolteacher Gillian Gibbons was freed today after Sudan's president pardoned her on charges of inspiring religious hatred. Gibbons allowed her class of 7-year-olds to name a teddy bear Muhammed.
British schoolteacher Gillian Gibbons was freed today after Sudan's president pardoned her on charges of inspiring religious hatred. Gibbons allowed her class of 7-year-olds to name a teddy bear Muhammed.   (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.

Flap originated with a fired employee's grudge against the school
CNN

Foreign secretary praises Gibbons
Telegraph (UK)

What's so surprising about the teddy teacher?
Canada Free Press

Teddy teacher, rape victim, symbolize lashed justice
New York Times

 
Sudan • Muhammad • Britain • teddy bears • Gillian Gibbons

More Newser Stories

'Terrified' Teddy Bear Teacher Happy to Be Home

Teddy Teacher Spurs UK to Kill Own Blasphemy Law

Sudan Will Jail, Deport Teddy Bear Teacher

Teddy Bear Teacher Tells Her Own Tale

Armed Mob Wants British Teacher Dead
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne