How can we support Gillian Gibbons (the "Muhammad teddy bear" teacher)?

Question

She got convicted for "insulting the faith of Muslims in Sudan," a lesser charge than the original "blasphemy," for naming the class' teddy bear Muhammad today. She gets 15 days in prison, deportation from Sudan, and no lashes--it could have been worse.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071129/ap_on_re_mi_ea/sudan_british_teacher

But it could have been better, too, and I'd love to find a way to show her some support if I can. Does anyone know anything that's going on, or have any ideas?

T_rex, I would. Not only am I Pagan, and a supporter of religious freedom, but many children here have a friend or uncle named Jesus due to Hispanic immigration.

Neither Jesus nor Muhammad are prophets to me, and I will thank future answerers to read the whole question. Also, I do support Muslims' right to cover, observe their religious rites, etc.

Answer 1

is Mohammad (NPBUH) so weak that a simple teddy bear can defile him?

what a sad prophet

Elijah sent bears to take care of business

looks like a bear has taken out the false prophet

http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0042/0042_01.asp

Answer 2

These vicious acts are necessary in muslim countries to keep the false prophet Muhammad as their prophet, if people in those countries have lil doubt Muhammad is a real prophet, then they get killed or something.

The truth is, it is really easy for a tourist to make a mistake. I remember everytime you visit a muslim country, the give you a papper with guidelines of what not to do. The thing they warn abou the most, is to not give gifts to muslim kids, such as money or buy them icecream or something. This is also considered an insult and you could even get killed by an angry mob.

So as you can see, it is really easy to make mistakes since Islam lacks common sense and logic.

Answer 3

We can support her through cutting off all contact, aid, and commerce with Sudan for the next 40 years.

I must comment on Fida because she demonstrates the exact same nature as these officials and parents in Sudan.

"why dont u send her a teddy bear called jesus if u really belive in the freedom of speech, why do u ppl have such double standards ??"

Jesus is spelled with a capitol J. Shouldn't you go to prison for not knowing that? I would be honored to have a teddy bear named after him. There is no double standard.

"we never insult ur prophet why do u insult our prophet and call it freedom of speech? is it right to do whatever we want and call it freedom ?"

To Christians, Jesus is the Son of God. Every time a Muslim states that he was a lesser profit, that is a direct insult to a Christian. We don't put Muslims in prison for these insults. That is called freedom of speech. You can believe that all you want to and tell your neighbor without the police beating you.

"u stop our muslim ppl from covering themselves up when they ar ein ur countries and when ur ppl insult our prophet in our countries u dont want us to punish them if u have so much freedom then why dont u let muslim women cover temselves up modestly in ur countires? where does ur so called freedom go then ? stop this stupid games and lies
why the double standards?"

You think we punish women for covering themselves? Show us the law that allows this punishment! Who is the one with the lies and double standards? People might look at you funny for wearing a sack over your head, but you aren't going to be lashed or put in jail over it.

Answer 4

can i just say, AS A MUSLIM, that i find it in no way insulting and i think that this whole thing has been blown completely out of proprtion and it is over soething so trivial and stupid that it is rubbish...it's not as if it was a dog....that would be insulting, but they are only kids, it;'s a stupid tedddy bear and it means nothing, should u stop naming ur son muhammad? no...the east is giving a bad name to islam and it is not right that she should be punished, i'm sure that there are more contreversial and interestin thingz goin on in the worl dthan this....did the jews get offended in meet the fockers over the fact that the dog was called moses/\'??? is israel at their doorstep threating them. who cares, it's a bloody teddy bear

Answer 5

I say write her a letter of support and write a blog in protest of Sudan's absurd judicial system. I am grateful to be living in a country with a separation between church and state. I only wish that more Americans would appreciate this reasonable principle. Religion should not have a place in the justicial system.

Answer 6

I'm going to buy a teddy bear. Guess what I'll name him?

And I support the British government going into Sudan and getting her out.

Answer 7

Hard to say. I really do wish people, in general, would stop expecting others to follow the rules of "their" religion. Especially when someone is not a member of that religion.
The woman is British, and sharia law only applies to muslims, last time I checked.


People who keep doing this are drama monkeys. I think the people there over-reacted BIG TIME. I can not wait to hear about a tourist who ate something during Ramadan, and gets tossed in jail. I might pee myself with laughter at those barbarians.

Answer 8

Kick about 500,000 little Muhammed teddy bears out the back of a C-17 over the Sudan.

Answer 9

I know I deeply saddened by this event.
My first Muslim friend came from Sudan and he and his family were really great people.
But it really troubles me how Sudan can't find a way to end the holocaust going on in their own borders at Deafer,(spelling?) but they can arrest and sentence a women to jail in a matter of days.
So much for decent priorities
For now I think we should pray very earnestly for Gillian; only God can turn this situation around.
We here in America as well as the UK should make cards, and create banners, and welcome her home with open arms and cheers of encouragement.
I sincerely hope this matter does not make tensions worse between us and "them".

Answer 10

Well, the woman did not have to live in Sudan, she chose to live in Sudan, and by choosing to live there should not expect Enlish sensibilities there. She broke a local law in a country in which she was an invited guest. While she may have been a pawn in a power game where groups were trying to score points--she did something that even I living in the states would have thought twice about doing in a muslem country. Deportation is probably a good idea, as it appears she did not know how to comport herself in a host country. Jail is a bit harsh for this offense, but my opinion only.

Answer 11

The best thing we can do is increase our visibility and our efforts RIGHT HERE in the USA and to scream loud and without end every time the Christian Right Wing Fundamentalists try to reach their long, hairy, arms into our lives, and try to legislate their (IM)morality on the rest of us. We can't do anything about that woman in Sudan, but we CAN and we MUST not EVER let such a thing gain acceptance HERE! NEVER! And make no mistake: If Christians could impose Old Testament Biblical Law on this country, it would be worse over here than it is for that woman. We have to watch what happens there, so it wont happen HERE! Does that sound familiar or what? Maybe the War on Terror is the War Against Religious Terrorist no matter where they are, no matter WHO they are! Beware.