With teacher Gillian Gibbons now charged by the Sudanese should..?

Question

The government protect our TEFL teachers and withdraw them all from the Sudan?

As a background, the children were to name a teddy bear, and although Ms. Gibbons had elected to call it Farsi, the children wanted Muhammed. Was she right in supporting the childrens' choice? Surely she could not have foreseen the fall out that this would cause, having not been fully briefed in religous law?

Any objective view points welcome.

Scpetic are you suggesting my question be used as incitement to racist hatred? I expect to see an apolgy added in to your answer. If not I may take action outside of reporting you as I do not think that is right. What you suggest is something entirely different and I don't take kindly to that implication.

What I am asking, if you read the question is plain and simple. Should the government protect our TEFL teachers and have them flown back home?

I await your apology with interest.

Gentleman, no just take you to task for insulting what I believe in. If you wish to call me a prat fair enough, I will not however be associated in anyway with being racist, or inciting that behaviour. Run along there is someone with a valid point coming through

Thanks Sceptic appreciate the vote of confidence for the Q.

I totally agree with your sentiments to the ambassadorial actions, but the fallout is there for all to see.

Astonite40. Those that I attended a non-denominational school in Glasgow were. Also those that I worked with in an Indian restaurant in Glasgow were.

So yes, my experience of the followers of the Muslim faith have been wholly (no pun intended) positive.

David C consider it signed

Answer 1

Support her @ http://freegillian.com/

Answer 2

I feel that the Government should bring our TEFL teachers home. The environment is obviously not safe

As for whether she could have "forseen" the problems calling a teddy Mohammed would have caused, no I don't think so. I think just as many of us are completely amazed that this action has been taken so she probably didn't think there was a problem. Unless she was completely briefed in all aspects of the obviously complicated religious law in the Sudan she would not have thought there would be a problem with this.

Answer 3

I agree with your question, if Gillian Gibbons is punished at the most severe end then they should protect and withdraw them. It is surely clear for all to see that the women never intended any harm to anybody and as you say could not have forseen the results. If British teachers continue working in Sudan then they should certainly be educated in the culture; to prevent this situation from occuring again. The prophet in question possesses all virtues, so would it not be a good idea if the Sudan gov found some of their own virtues; forgave her and allowed her to continue in her work.

Your input will be viewed with interest. Hopefully a peaceful solution to both sides will occur.

Thankyou

Answer 4

I agree the government should protect our TEFL teachers and withdraw them all from the Sudan.

She actually did right by selecting an normal name like Farsi which I believe means persian/persia and this will and should support her case.

But being a teacher you have to consider the childrens wishes and go with the majority. and in this case Mohammed was chosen by the CHILDREN and NOT Mrs Gibbons and in reality it would be ok in my belief they loved the teddy and they wanted to give it a nice name.

And yes how could she have known what would happen next, and if she knew that this would happen does anyone seriously think she would have agreed with the children I know I wouldnt.

Answer 5

Whats all this about reporting people who may pass a comment that doesn't agree with somebody? I thought this was supposed to be a country that allows free speech.We hear so often that immigrants/ethnic religions criticising England and its native people that can you wonder that some of us are getting a bit fed up with it. As to Gillian Gibbons I hope for once the Government takes strong action against the Sudanese by stopping all aid be it financial or prevent good people such as her trying to help them. Its not worth the hassle helping out those that don't help themselves.

Answer 6

How could anybody live and work in Sudan and not see the potential fall out from this?

Of course this does not justify what is being proposed but really, she should know have known better.

However, the FCO will make a 'donation' of some kind, using tax payers money, Then she will be flown home (again at taxpayers' expense).

Answer 7

I agree at least until the Sudanese go through some serious cultural sensitivity training. After all they should not expect the guests in their country to be familiar with their culture and religion and behave accordingly. Right?

Answer 8

yea! good point. i would say that the likely hood of this gutless government supporting them is nill....so they should have the decency to bring them out of there for their own safety. i personally think that any country that instigates such cruel barbaric punishment for such a petty stupid thing don't really deserve the support of civilised country's in any!! way. unlike you i don't give a toss about being called a racist. i know that i am not!! so screw the fools that accuse me of it. i don't know why the civilised world is pandering to the insanity of Islam. i personally think we will pay dearly for the mistake.

Answer 9

This is a very stupid action by the Sudanese authorities, but people can't go using this case to attack British Muslims.

The Sudanese ambassador should be called in and told in no uncertain terms that if this woman is not released, then co-operation between the British and Sudanese governments will cease. And I think I can guess which country will suffer more.

CHARLIE: I apologise without reservation if I gave the impression that you were inciting any form of racial hatred. That was not my intention. Yours is a well-worded and intelligent question which has no racial overtones whatsoever.

However, at least one answerer has used it as an excuse to 'have a dig' at the Muslim faith. It was that I was referring to.

Answer 10

Yes I think the government should seriously consider it that is presuming they are not already leaving any way.
You would have thought a Sudanese teacher could have told her that that name choice was wrong.

Answer 11

Certainly . The fact that this woman is even charged with anything is absolutely ludicrous. It's actions such as this which creates anger and hatred.