Of Gillian Gibbons, a Bear Called Muhammed, and the Headbangers of Khartoum
Most British Islamic organisations - even the more extreme ones such as the Islamic Human Rights Commission - are united in condemning the decision in Sudan to prosecute for “insulting religion, inciting hatred and showing contempt for religious beliefs” a British teacher for allowing her class of 7-year olds to name a teddy bear “Muhammed”.
The Muslim Council of Britain called for her release:
MCB calls for Release for Teacher in Sudan
The Muslim Council of Britain calls upon the Sudanese government to intervene in the case of the arrested schoolteacher, Ms Gillian Gibbons, with a view to ensuring that she is released without delay.
“This is a very unfortunate incident and Ms Gibbons should never have been arrested in the first place. It is obvious that no malice was intended,” said Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain.
Now they have made even stronger statements:
MCB Appalled At Sudanese Decision to Charge Gillian Gibbons
The Muslim Council of Britain is appalled at the decision of the Sudanese authorities to charge the British schoolteacher, Gillian Gibbons, for allegedly ‘insulting religion’.
“This is a disgraceful decision and defies common sense. There was clearly no intention on the part of the teacher to deliberately insult the Islamic faith. The children in Ms Gibbons’ class and their parents have all testified as to her innocence in this matter. We call upon the Sudanese President, Umar al-Bashir, to intervene in this case without delay to ensure that Ms Gibbons is freed from this quite shameful ordeal,” said Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain.
The decision looks to me to be tied-up with an attempt by the government in Sudan to dilute the attempts by the international community to protect the people of Darfur.
I suspect that Allah is weeping this morning.
But the statements from the British Muslim organisations will head off those who will attempt to paint the Sudanese Government action as being characteristic of all Muslims, and the dialogue needs to continue.
Wrapping-Up
It is an honour to have a bear named after you anyway. Here is the Rowan Williams bear from when he became Archbishop of Canterbury:
And in my own surreal comment on the surreal actions of the surreal Sudanese government reaching a surreal decision, I will be running some of the more surreal “Jesus and Mo” cartoons on the Wardman Wire throughout next week.
Tags: islam, sudan, darfur, gillian gibbons, muhammed bear
[tags]islam, sudan, darfur, gillian gibbons, muhammed bear[/tags]
Watch out for those fatwas, Matt. Christmas might not be a happy time.
Matt
Have you seen a statement from a Muslim organisation supporting the Sudanese government?
I think Mrs Gibbons should be punished by DEATH as is the punishment in islam for this type of doing.
Think of it this was how about if a muslim teacher was teaching christian children would he/she name a teddybear JESUS…?
NO i dont think she would as it would be insulting.
I am a UK born muslim but if anyone insults my religion then they should be punished she is lucky just to have 15 days it could have been worse but remember we dont go around naming teddybears jesus so why does anyone have the right to name a teddybear after our holiest prophet, how could anyone have been so dumb…!
>we dont go around naming teddybears jesus
But you do go around naming teddybears Adam, as noted by Osama
Saeed. Adam (f0r non-Muslim readers) is regarded as the First Prophet in Islam,
In response to your question, I think a Teddy Bear named after Jesus is a wonderful idea, especially if it was encouraged by a Muslim teacher for Christian children. And no - it would not be insulting. No Christian I have ever known would have any problem with it.
Also, the bear was not named after the Prophet - it was named after a boy in the class , as suggested by the children.
In my view, everyone has the right to go around naming teddybears whatever they want.
My general opinion is that the Sudanese govt has seized on a non-issue for political purposes.
Can I ask you three questions in return - If the Prophet’s name is so Holy, why is it acceptable to name children (or pets) “Muhammed”? See this report at the BBC about the use of names in Islam,
Is it not the case that Islam teaches specifically that forgiveness should be exercised where a slight on the Prophet is not deliberate?
As far as I am aware, there is no major Islamic organisation in the UK that is supporting the line you are taking. Why not, do you think?
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