The teddy bear sentence was not disproportionate

Have you noticed that word disproportionate?

It keeps popping up in relation to Gillian Gibbons and the teddy bear.

The Archbishop of Canterbury called her jail sentence:

"absurdly disproportionate response" to a "minor cultural faux pas".

while the Federation of Student Islamic Societies (Fosis), which represents more than 90,000 Muslim students in the UK and Ireland, said it was:

"deeply concerned" at what was a "gravely disproportionate" verdict.

Er, no.

It was not a misunderstanding of culture on the part of Gillian Gibbons. And the verdict was not disproportionate.

The arrest and imprisonment of this teacher was a political act, not a cultural or religious one. Its aim is not cultural preservation but terrorising the population. It is the classic move of a totalitarian state supported by a mob.

Why wasn't it disproportionate? This word implies that some sort of censure was required but that imprisonment was too much. The punishment wasn't out of proportion. It was unwarranted, outrageous, insupportable.

The use of the phrase "disproportionate" is offensive.

Do you think I am being insensitive about the sensibilities of the Sudanese government?

Too right I am.

Comments

[Queenie]

My sentiments entirely. But these bishops and such are always mealy mouthed creatures.

[Bill Thorpe]

Why are we so tolerant, in this country, of religious views and beliefs? It's obvious that there is little or no tolerance in many other countries. We will see and hear apologists saying that we should respect the beliefs of others... Why? If they have a problem because they are so lacking in the ability to think about the differences between truth and faith, and if they are willing to believe an outdated mythology which all evidence points against, then why tolerate it?
The existence of god, any god, is so statistically unlikely that no one would accept what "evidence" is claimed for it, if the same flimsy arguments were used to propagate any other topic. Believers are fools.

[Nick]

Every peace loving country should immediately expel their Sudanese Government Representatives. Send them back to the Sudan which has to be the worlds largest Hell Hole

[lofi]

Implicit in Daniel Finkelstein's opinion piece is a form of imperialism that takes as given we can judge another sovereign countrie's laws by our values and standards.

If we are going to play prefect to every country, measuring them by our own beliefs then we should have the honesty to say this.

As a guest in their country, Gillian has a responsibility to know their laws and culture. My understanding is that 15 days in jail is actually getting off lightly, for which she should be thankful.

Finally, and as an aside independent from the above, any time she spends in jail will be compensated by media fees upon her return.

[Javani]

I don't think it was "political" in a broad sense, although the over-sensitive, insecure parent who complained might have had some political pull.

Anyway, looking at the picture above, I'm less worried about the teacher's sentence time and now more worried about her reckless behavior with wild, vicious animals.

[William]

You've identified the issue exactly, Daniel. With every such idiotic judgement by a theocratic court, the jihadists lose yet another skirmish in the battle for hearts and minds in the West. We need to identify the enemy and name it clearly (jihadism, Wahhabism, Salafism). Good Muslims around the world (millions of them) shudder at the thought of being at the whiplash end of a jihadist regime. Let's unite with them.

[mkell]

Excellent point! "Disproportionate" is not at all the correct word, as NO PUNISHMENT AT ALL is justified. How much longer before the rest of the world stops treating these childish louts with kid gloves?

[Brian J Deller]

Agree 100% and these are the people who would take over the West if they can. They need standing up to now and told they must come into the 19th Century ready to advance into the 21st in about 50 years. And they must be told by British Muslims in no uncertain terms as well.

[not a yank, a southern boy]

Absolutely right, both free speech and religious freedom are universal rights and shame on all those who cower before the golden cow of multiculturalism, afraid of denouncing Sudanese religious intolerance as the shocking crime it is.

[Paul Butler]

The weaselly words of the Archbishop, which imply that she was indeed at fault, sum up the paucity of his understanding of the minds of the Islamic rulers in Sudan - he might as well role over and have his tummy tickled. After his censure of the USA and Israel, this response to pure evil in Sudan sums up a person out of touch with reality.

There was nothing wrong in what she as a teacher did, nor in her completely proper attempt to further the children's general education.

By not absolutely condemning the puerile, Medieval antics of these so-called Islamists he has furthered the cause of all Muslim extremists who continue to bring utter opprobrium upon their religion as perceived by the West.

I agree too that the half-hearted support from the Muslim FOSIS is also pathetic - a verdict being disproportionate implies that there should have been a "verdict" in the first place - what for? Teaching children.

She was a guest in the country, and should have been helped to understand issues ( if they ever existed before the mad mullahs saw an opportunity).

[Walter Murray]

Well said Daniel. A similar point could be made about the Saudi rape victim. Why isn't the UN and the West opposing the shira laws as barbaric.

[Raine Northants]

Was it not the children who chose the name for the teddy bear, bad children ... off with their heads!

[kamal]

The Sudanese people bring shame upon themselves with this impulsive behavior.

They shame themselves by wielding swords etc at a lone woman.
Utterly disgraceful. Is this Islam?
If the charge against her is one of blasphemy, let us look inside our own hearts and count the number of times we all are blasphemous when we transgress our principles. Why doesn't that hurt a person enough to wield a sword against himself?
If compassion and forgiveness are not present in any religion then it is my sincere opinion it no longer is a religion. The foundation of any religion should be peace and harmony to all but often religion is hijacked for religion's politics

[Joey]

Great thought here. The debate so far has been between two extremes of how sensitive the teacher should have been and how reactionary the Sudanese regime is. Your analysis is at a right angle to the popular discussion of this issue. Very interesting!

[Brian Cloth]

Why can't the Archbishop of Canterbury talk with his back straight? He has the ability to speak a high standard of english, so he should build sentences with the most appropriate words he has in his vocabulary such as 'ridiculous','scandalous' 'disgraceful'. This is not a storm in a teacup, it's a nasty destructive attempt from those who are abusing their power for political gain. This pathetic nonsense has nothing to do with Islam or with Gillian Gibbons, so lets forget the teddy bear and Mohammed and see what is really the point.

[Sally Roberts]

Absolutely right! No one else has realised that Gillian Gibbons has been used as a political scapegoat. If it had not been her it would have been another Westerner living and/or working in The Sudan. What I find most disappointing though is how few peace-loving and decent Muslims who are prepared to put their heads above the parapet and dissociate themselves from what has been carried out in the name of their faith!

[Ripsnorter, Spain]

Google "Failed States" enter via the BBC or many other links you will find Sudan heads the list despite severe competition. Mrs. Gibbons ought surely to have known that when you go to work in ghastly medieval dumps like this one you absolutely have to know the 'rules'
Yes, Daniel you are absolutely right this is purely political and don't the rent-a-mob outside just love it. Oh! by the way the Sudanese ambassador has a very nice motor with SUD1 on the number plate, I wonder if the rent-a-mob know about it or have ever had ride therein.

[Udo]

If this was a political decision then would it be right for me to conclude that the Sudanese Government is making Islam look very silly and petty? What do other Islamic leaders think about this point? Blasphemy?

[Ian]

Religion, of whatever kind, is blind belief in a hidden and intelligent control - where there is none.

Sadly, the majority of human beings are no more evolved 'intellectually' than any other organism on this planet. The fact that even many of the most 'intelligent' of people seems to have to follow some religious belief. Such blind 'faith' will always result in abuse of some kind. The older one gets, the more one realises, this will never change, like death and taxes - the existance of religion is certain.

[Dave]

If you're saying that no prosecution or sentence was appropriate at all, then I agree entirely.
But the real question is: What are we going to DO about it now?
Rely on diplomacy to grimble on until the sentence has been discharged anyway?
Or send the boys in to get her out now?
I know which I'd prefer.

[Martin]

I think a compromise is in order. Release the girl and execute the teddy bear!

What about us teddy bears ? This is giving us a bad name. No teddy bear has ever bombed anyone, or raped or flogged anyone, or killed anyone in the name of anyone.

[Sarah Phillimore]

I got a nasty shock on reading the headline to this piece, but phew, you cleared it up for me very quickly.

Couldn't agree more.

[Mary Ann]

The Sudan Trial of the British school teacher accused of inciting religious hatred, religious love, or simple lack of communication?

The children were in the 7 year age group.
The children were given three choices of names.
They voted on Muhammad.
Because the majority voted on Muhammad, this tells us they indeed have affection for the” idea” of Muhammad. What is more glorious than that? Teddy bears are objects of love, and highly prized by the British culture. This could be a perception: It is difficult for a culture to have a strange person intrude on them with an unknown object and appear to force it upon their children. Perhaps introducing the bear to parents and children first as a British cultural symbol would have made this a more acceptable project. Love objects are easily transferred to appropriate directions. What we have here is a new “love object” being brought into a single focused culture and it startles them. This is fine example in the comparison between the differences of the British and Sudanese Culture. Ms. Gillian Gibbons appears to be a fine teacher.
It is with much confidence that I believe the Sudan culture is much larger than this “Trial”, and it is with much confidence that I believe this Sudan Trial will teach us much.

Mary Ann Greco
Public School Teacher
Art, grades 9 thru 12
26 years
Experience in educating teachers
Junior High School and Elementary

Teaching high school in the public school system for 26 years, I was under similar scrutiny and criticism each time a new concept was brought into the classroom. During those 26 years my student received numerous recognition from personal grants, to state, national, and congressional awards for their art achievements.

People are afraid of change. Gentle introduction of a new concept may be greeted with the love and respect that was always there from the beginning. Clear, simple, communication is the secret in exchanging our differences in our cultures.

Our country, America, is flooded with all kinds of images, both religious and non-religious. The boundaries are so blurred that Socrates is the name of a pet dog, with much love, knowledge, and affection for the main name source.
Today we break all boundaries, dance, music, arts, science, have become one. We see at Joshua Bell and his work at MIT with the Math Department and see how his music and the math department develop toys specifically for children to learn math concepts. We see lighting artist developing theatrical design taking the place of physical sets. We see fine artists being used for set designers for theater or opera. Artists, dancers, performers are breaking all sorts of bounds. Virtue is always being stretched and bounced around in our culture. It puzzles me, when Virtue balances the human spirit, grounding human behavior in morality and elevates the mind and spirit to higher levels of existence. Fine Music and Fine Art lifts the mind and soul.

[Eamon Staunton]

I agree entirely with your sentiments. The secular majority of Britain are always being informed that we need to avoid offending the religious sentiments of others - perhaps it should be considered that I find the idea of flogging someone for an innocent mistake absolutely abhorrent?

[david craig]

It's clear to me that the bear - being a muslim bear - should have known all along that the name chosen would almost start a new war of civilisations. But why is it the teacher, who has been imprisoned, yetthe bear seems to have been let off scot-free. That is the real scandal. Behead the bear!!!!!

[Norman]

Quite right, Daniel. If this punishment is disproportionate, then some lesser punishment is proportionate. Let the Archbishop of Canterbury advocate precisely what punishment he would consider suitable.

[COS MOGNIC]

This woman deserves some punishment:she gives teddy bears a bad name

[Nyengeterai]

Spot on! I have always thought the whole facade was outrageous. Why should choosing a name used by arguably a quarter of the moslem world's people be crminalised. This highlights the attention seeking of the Sudanese dictators and their desire to control

[Dave]

I think they were stuck between a rock and a hard place. Give her the full sentence, and the West is angry. Let her off, and the Sudanese are angry. The challenge was to placate both parties - hence a short spell in jail. I'm tempted to suggest that they've erred on the side of leniency in a difficult balancing act.

[Ben]

I think it is quite obvious that this is a political message to 'The West'. It is yet another example of a politically retarded despot, bastardising Islam to suit his purposes.

I have seen many examples of the oppression of women, races and children in the name of Islam. However, I am yet to see a direct interpretation of of Qur' an to support the conduct of these people.

Many Muslims are peace loving, friendly and rational people, these other so call Muslims, tarnish the good name of Islam to those who are not aware of its teachings.

[claudio]

I write you from Spain.
I have seen on BBC Breakfast some representant of the 'muslim community' (sorry, I forgot the exact title, National Something I believe) saying that the punishment was a 'mistake' because in the fact of calling a teddy bear Mohamed there was no 'intention'.
That is, if there had been intention, punishment (jail, corporal punishment, death?) seems to be OK.
The interviewer semed to be pleased with this explanation.

[Erez]

And I thought the word was "reserved" to condemn Israel... I guess I was wrong...

[Michael Smithson]

So the Sudanese Government is abusing Islam for political reasons ? What kind of sentence does that warrant ? There are so many people in this world of various and no faiths, they and their personal God being abused by humans craving power and control. I'd rather have love than power ! It's love that makes things better. I think everybody's God says this.

[Jon]

It is clear that: the incident being reported to the authorities, the reaction of the authorities, the punishment given and the reaction to the level of punishment are all totally disproportionate!

Oh, and the British Government's reaction - disproportionate also.

[Joe Smith]

I agree, the verdict should not be described as disproportionate, since there should have never been a verdict in the first place. I agree, the verdict 'is the classic move of a totalitarian state supported by a mob'.

But what the Archbishop actually said was 'response', in reference to her jail sentence but not implying that some sort of sentence was required. The response to the Gibbons issue has indeed been disproportionate, as the actual reaction should have been one of bored indifference on the part of the childrens' parents, not public outrage on the part of the Sudanese Muslim public.

Please read your quotations more carefully in future before publishing them. No-one is impressed by any party which takes 'offence' too readily.

[Noel Falconer]

Calling a teddy bear Mohammed was blatantly inappropriate, it's a name for a hedgehog or a porcupine.

[Lee Barnes]

Why was it outrageous ?

It is their country, their religion and their laws.

They have every right to live in an insane basket case of a society as we do.

Our insane society is based on Political Correctness, theirs on Sharia Law.

EACH ARE EQUALLY ABSURD.

This woman should not have gone to the Sudan if she did not understand the nature of the nation she was entering.

Leave her there to suffer her sentence, as that way others may learn that the liberals ability to ignore reality is not just dumb it is dangerous.

The liberals that are whining about this sentence, are the same ones that support PC in this country. They deserve all they get.

[Dr. Irene Lancaster FRSA]

Good for you. but I doubt any Christian or Jewish country would have used religion to dole out such a punishment.

So, in a way, it is a religious, as well as a political act and the Archbishop is being naive, as usual.

Worrying for such an intelligent man.

[Larry Sherwood]

Thanks to Daniel Finkelstein for pointing out the obvious, even though it seems it would come as a revelation to much of the mainstream media. However, I think the archbiship may have had a point, insofar as it appears the designation did ruffle the feathers of a population eager to find offense, while savagely attacking the cultural and religious sensitivities of others.

[Chui]

Mohamed is the most commonest name in the Islamic world and there is nothing unusual about such a name. Then there are Mohamed's so and so including dogs, cats, horses, camels, restaurants, sanitation houses, houses of prostitution, holes in the ground, hovels, bath houses, sweet shops, barber shops, etc all named as such.
Of course it is all political and the lady spends a 15 days in jail. The message is clear that the Sudanese Government though their Mullahs, who are arousing the passions of the masses, do not want UK and US to meddle with their internal affairs. On the other hands the situation is not any worst then UK holding innocent people in jails for 28 days without a charge and US holding innocent people of Islamic Origin in hell holes like Camp Delta for over five years without any charges. It is just tit for tat.

[Toronto Steve]

If it's an insult to Allah to name a teddy bear Mohammed, what sort of insult is it to fly a plane into a skyscraper if your name is Mohammed Atta?

The only solution to militant Islam is military response.

[Simone]

One question: should parents around the world be punished for naming their sons Mohammed?

I agree with you, Mr. Finkelstein. That's sheer terrorrism.

Someone so good and willing to travel to that hell hole to help children should get an award, not a punishment. For those who are criticizing Ms. Gibbons, remember that everyone who ventures into such a place knows they're risking their lives. Only, they don't know where the fatal bullet will come from, or when.

One of the comments was about naming porcupines Mohammed. How about crocodiles? Still, I'd feel sorry for the crocs.

[Kevin]

As others have pointed out, this is nothing to do with Islam; it is political. A similar response in this country would be classified as 'racist', and the airwaves would be crowded out with outraged liberal relativists; the same people who are explaining the current situation away as 'a lack of sensitivity'. Of course we can't be honest about this in public for fear of further similar reactions from the Islamic world. We cringe yet again.

[John]

Lee claims: "The liberals that are whining about this sentence, are the same ones that support PC in this country. They deserve all they get." Nonsense: I do not support PC in this country (nor do I 'whine' about this 'sentence' from a kangaroo court - and I don't know anyone who does, except perhaps the sad archbish.); we condemn it as an example of Islamist Medievalsim.

[Silver Darling]

This smacks of our churchmen wishing to return to Christianity 500 years ago!

[EArnest Gallion USA]

Gillian Gibbons' Sudanese lawyer came in and told her he had good news and bad news - She said "Give me the bad news first." "OK" he said, "Looks like they're going to give you life in prison". "Oh My God" said Ms Gibbons, "What's the good news?" - "Well" the lawyer said, "in Sudan, that's only about two weeks."

[Esther]

It amazes me how ethnocentric people are. How ignorant they are of Islam despite the fact that its fanatics are at the core of our world's problems today. Islam holds that many animals are unclean and that people should not create images of Mohammed because it would create idols. People in the West see teddy bears as innocent toys and naively believe that that is true everywhere. I'm not saying what they did to this woman is right--I'm saying that before anyone says whether or not this is a religion of peace, they should do the research. Those who believe the Koran literally--and Muslims are called to do this--must believe such ridiculous things. I did my homework, and firmly believe that Islam is patently absurd.

[Wooldez]

Perhaps the ludicrous charges brought against Ms Gibbons were really a cover-up for the offence she may have committed, that of showing her class that they had the right to vote. Such a concept is surely a dangerous one to expose young children to in their circumstances.

[julie willnot]

Oh my (non existent) God, what if it had been a pig?

[Penny]

The punishment was of course political, but Mrs. Gibbons should have known better than to think that an English woman going to Sudan to 'educate' their children would be welcomed or regarded rather as another act of patronising colonialism by an infidel woman intent on twisting young minds out of the culture from which they were born into. Don't suppose her Arabic was up to much, to boot. We certainly don't hold the reciprocal fundamentalist immams coming to Britain to indoctrinate our young in their beliefs as being particularly desirable either.

She is not the first do-gooder to upset the locals and end needing a rescue mission and creating an international fuore.

[Rachel Wells]

As a woman, I'm insulted again and again by the brutally and misogyny at the core of Islamic theology. I'm more insulted how weakly Britain condemns outright the barbaric nature of this relic theology.

[PK]

What Islamic countries such as Saudi Arabia do against women is apartheid, pure and simple - they treat one part of the human race as inferior and therefore it's ok to abuse them. We need to start boycotting their goods and products (starting with oil! - we need to find alternatives fast). We didn't stand for apartheid in the name of respecting others' cultures, why should we "respect" their abuse of women?

[ebe]

I'm trying to see this situation from a zealots point of view. I understand that living the way we do here renders us unable to relate fully to the devout Sharia adherent. But even if my head was full to the brim with verses, and my heart commited to anything spiritual, and even if I was driven to rage by the injustices of the West and their actions (or lack of) towards my country, I still could not perceive the act of this teacher to be an offensive one.

The reactions in Sudan are deeply cynical, and should be given no credibility. Were we to wield any international influence ( a tenuous notion I know. We are pretty much spent all round. The idea above of 'sending in the boys' is cheering but risible- 'the boys' are busy!) we should demand her immediate release, not fawn and haggle.

In a way it would have been interesting if the poor woman had been flogged. Not that I would wish that upon her but this bizarre episode, if caught on camera would take on a whole new aspect. The visual impact of such a thing would really throw into relief how absurd it really is. How liberal would people be feeling then? It might even turn a few...

What, cause a person physical pain and damage for mild relativistic blunder?

[stephanie]

I am totally,incredibly,amazed that this actually happened....What has this world come to....So sad,so utterly sad...It makes me nervous....

[Paola]

What a deplorable joke that "the Baroness and the Lord" should have chosen this instance to prove Muslims' loyalty to Britain and lend an aura of tolerance and reason to this hateful Sudanese Government, responsible for the horrors we are somehow still managing not to address in Darfour for fear of oil consequences! Mrs Gibbons had only days to spend in prison and was swiftly moved to more comfortable lodgings when a mob appeared to think she should have been more severely punished. There was no need whatsoever for this oh so visible intervention, most probably paid for and sponsored by the British Government, i.e. by us the taxpayers. Surely British Muslims and whoever claims to represent them could more usefully mediate in Darfour? Palestine? Iraq? Iran? Or is their "comfort zone" teddy bears?

[alex r]

This same offensiveness is also central to those (including the foreign secetary) who say that Gibbons should not be punished because her actions were a misunderstanding/mistake. i.e. if they were not, then she deserved to be punished.

[Pen]

I am tired of seeing stupid do-gooders seeking a spot of adventure in dangerous places and then getting into trouble. The whole world gets fuzzed up because some fool wanders off into the jungle or desert and the locals start talking about putting the fool into their cooking pots. For gawd's sake save children and their teddy bears at home if you have to!

[Lynda]

When are the people of this free Country going to wake up to the insidious undermining of our cultural and religious inheritance. What happened to defending our people as well as our country....all ended with the second wordl war, I suspect. ofcourse send in the boys..can't anyone anymore make a decision with dithering about the political consequences. Just get the army/sas in there and nip it in the bud, show them we will not stand for being bullied. Every day I see instances of people turning the other cheek, ignoring rudeness, unkindness either done to themselves or another. Bloody have some guts, we look pathetic.. we ARE pathetic.

[Lynda]

Very brave words from some people, but when are the British going to stop hiding behind anonymity and band together in public (if it's good enough for radical muslims, its good enough for us)and speak out in defence of our Christian brothers and sisters, our Church, our ideals and wonderful cultural history....This probably wont get posted because some wimpy censor will think its inciting rascicm! Free speech is EVERYONES right.

[neil]

We tolerate that which does not tolerate us. Please tell me this does not mean we're doomed.

[Richard]

Every culture has its own customs and attitudes. For example, when I was in an Asian country, I told some psople that I had named my dog after one of their historical figures, a general. The locals were horrified and angry with me, saying that they would never name a dog after a person, let alone a famous general. We all know from previous incidents that Moslims do not take the name of Mohammed in vain, so why are people so surprised at this latest faux pas?

[Clive]

A lot of people are way over-intellectualising the rationale behind the original conviction, sentence and crowd reaction. Sudan is dirt poor, even for Africa and largely uneducated (and thanks to this, likely to remain so).

So virtually everyone (and I would imagine including the judiciary) havent a clue about Islamic or any other jurisprudence, normal process or governance and therefore random events like this are normal. Its just another big, dusty hellhole breeding fanaticism and violence because there is nothing else to do with ones 25year life-expectancy.

Anyone with any sense at all knows its all nonsense.

[Melvin Richardson]

How backwares some are, to belive that you can walk into someones home and make them think like you.She should serve every day of the 15 days. People in the U.S. serve years incarserated before they are brought to trail some.It is not up to her to degrade what is beleive by others - WELL PUT- "I am tired of seeing stupid do-gooders seeking a spot of adventure in dangerous places and then getting into trouble. The whole world gets fuzzed up because some fool wanders off into the jungle or desert and the locals start talking about putting the fool into their cooking pots. For gawd's sake save children and their teddy bears at home if you have to!"

[anon]

These problems occur when religion becomes protected by law/politics.
Religion is nothing but an opinion.In a democracy we all have the right to our own opinion and to oppose and even ridicule the opinions of others.
Recent changes in our law in relation to incitement of religious hatred while well meaning are dangerous and will be hijacked by extremists who seek to stifle critisism of their cause.
While democracy has to allow for everyones opinions it also has to be strong enough to preserve its own existence. Groups whether they be religious, political or organisation of any other catagory that seek to ultimately change the fabric of our society imposing their will and restricting the rights of others should not be tolerated and should be outlawed as subversive oranisations.

[S. Dixon]

Where are the Women's organizations? Where are Hilary and Oprah and Jane Fonda...where is the Hollywood community decrying this injustice against half or more of the world's women? Politically correct whimps...

[peter]

When a person comes to this country to work they are expected to abide by the laws here. therefore this silly woman should have done just the same when going to the sudan to work. Dont tell me she didnt realise what sort of regime she was working with!!!

[A friend of all religions and true Muslims]

The over-reaction of the Islamic zealots of Sudan is an insult to all religions. They should build a better society for themselves instead of this type of idiotic behavior. This is devil possessed society more intent in killing their own people and seeking blood at every opportunity. The knowledgeable Islamic scholars need to show them the true precepts of their religion, not some cooked up version of the revisionists and Sudanese politicians.

[Joe]

No it wasn't "disproportionate". It was goddamn deranged - am I allowed to say that?

But deranged in relation to ISLAM, and its predictable intolerant hostilities, irrespective of whatever politics might have been involved in this.

[richard smith]

i am goin to name my teddy 'jesus' just to upset all the christians.

[Joe]

"Good Muslims around the world (millions of them) shudder at the thought of being at the whiplash end of a jihadist regime."

What incredible naivete. There are 4,000 UK Muslims under terrorist surveillance, 2,000 are a direct threat, and they breed in a community with sympathetic ideological resentments. What do the "good Muslims" do about this? - conferences, protests, campaigns, TV speakers, newspaper columns, commuity meetings? - nope, they do virtually nothing. Except complain about negative perceptions of Islam, and maybe a few of the issues that motivate the terrorists.

[kae]

"Anyway, looking at the picture above, I'm less worried about the teacher's sentence time and now more worried about her reckless behavior with wild, vicious animals."

I reckon everyone should be more concerned with the two legged ones of the Sudan.

[Roger Ffolkes]

I'm happy with the justice shown Gibbons, and wish her well. She may need protection once home though. Will she become Britain's version of America's Rosa Parks?

[eric]

White Westerners BAD, Muslims of all colors GOOD.

What could be simpler?

We just have to adapt to our new responsibilities.

Or not.

[Chris]

Getting off lightly, says one of your correspondents above, though I take my hat off to Mr Barnes for his PC idiocy versus Sharia analogy.

How is it getting off lightly, when the woman did nothing wrong whatsoever?

What nobody in the media appears capable of spelling out is this:
It was the muslim children who chose the name of the teddy bear, not our over-adventurous Brit.

As such, I cannot help but wonder now what punishment might have befallen them had this simple but rather important fact occurred to the Sudanese authorities.

Perhaps they would have been beheaded - and maybe 40 lashes afterwards - for good measure!

(That's about what the jokers at the UN deserve as well for their pathetic failure to do anything about Darfur, although it took us 6 years and 8 months to wake up to the fact that Adolf H wasn't very nice either...)

[Nicholas Bryant]

I should like to know what the Islamic reaction would be if a person bearing the name Mohammad commits a criminal offence. Surely this would be far greater insult to the Prophet Mohammad than that of inadvertently naming a teddy bear Mohammad?

Perhaps someone could enlighten me on this matter.

[COS MOGNIC]

This woman deserves punishment:she gives teddy bears a bad name. On the other hand beheading can be a real pain in the neck.

[jic]

Don't any of these people writing variations of 'she shouldn't have been trying to push western values on the Sudanese' on this thread realise that the bear was named by *the children* NOT *the teacher*? That this was an international school attended by the children of both expats and wealthy Sudanese? That only *one* member of the school's staff was offended, and reported the mater to the religious authorities? That the violent protesters come from a handful of hardline mosques? I find the willingness of people to blame the victim in the case disgusting.

[Vivienne]

This incident shows just how tolerant Western countries really are compared to this hideous witch-hunt! Even a culturally aware teacher could fall between the cracks of such ridiculous and non-sensical laws of heresay. It is the religious extremists who now have egg on their faces!! A teddy called Jesus? Except a few raised eyebrows, who would care?

[Tom Dixon]

I feel great sympathy for the lady and I am glad she is out of harms way at last.

That said, this is not about her solely. Rather, it is appalling that anyone in the Twenty-First Century, whatever their nationality, race, culture or location should be penalised for merely contravening the mores of any religion.

Those who say she should have shown "sensitivity" to local mores miss the point. If she had herself been Sudanese, would that make her imprisonment for breaking a taboo such as this any less appalling.
This lady is now free, thankfully. But what of those who are born into such a society and are subject to such oppression as a matter of course?

Western civilisation has been built on the continual challenging of religious mores. Take William Tyndal, who was chased all over Europe by Papal assassins because he was daring to publish the Bible in English. Had such people shown more "sensitivity" to the existing customs and refrained from causing "offence" the Enlightenment would never have happenned.

I would put it to those who advise cultural "sensitivity" that they no doubt cherish such aspects of their own culture as equality for women and minorities: would they set such values aside in the interest of not offending those in other cultures who do not approve equality for women and wish certain minorities be put to death?

She was (and is) a complete stupid bloody fool; not the first, and regrettably she will not be the last. One can only hope that such imbeciles might one day grow up and recognise that they live in a thing called the real world, not the touchy feely dimensional phenomenom she apparently inhabits. Thank god no military lives were put at risk, as some people seemed to be advocating, in extracting tis idiot from the consequences of her totally selfish idiocy. The message is obvious. Stay not a second longer than necessary in areas of the world where civilised behaviour is conspicuos by its absence - or suffer the consequences. But I suppose that comment could equally apply to parts of Paris at the moment, not to mention Bradistan, most of London, et al, at al........

[Michael May]

I don't see what all the fuss is about. She's had an interesting time, and not lost any organs or limbs. She might even make a few bucks out of it.

I missed the same outrage when some German guy got 75 years in a Thai jail (commuted, from memory) for drunkenly defacing pictures of the monarch. Personally, I thought he should have done the time.

Peripatetic English teachers take note: when you leave home, things are different. That's the *point*.

[Clifford]

Stop all aid to Sudan as they don't deserve it.Send back the Sudaneese diplomats to the hell hole to live.

[Malcolm]

'Death to Teddy Bears!'

It's the stuff of Monty Python...

[Keith Wilson]

Following this incident, news has emerged that Sooty has cancelled his tour of Jamaica!

[Marjan]

Welcome back to civilization!

[joe blogs]

Why are we still putting up with this nonsense in this age. why are religions still lording it over us these silly little people that impose there will on us and act irrationally because they cant handle the fact that life is uncertain and thats all we know, other than the fact we will all one day die.

I would like to think of myself as a man with faith, faith to believe there is something else out there. But I have no more the answer than these people that call them selfs religious do.

Time humanity takes the first steps to growing up and ditches organized religion. I'm sure we can all believe in our own hearts and homes without making a song and dance about it.

Besides nutters like these who claim there all peaceful (sorry find that term funny when used in conjunction with the word religion.)do nothing other than cause death and misery all around the world would just look like plain idiots if they tried to cause the trouble they do without the backing or name of religion.

time we ditched Christianity Judaisms and Islamic faiths. Faith is fine organized religion is the root of all that is wrong with humanity.

[Ian]

I've got a pig called Mohamed. If that offends anybody - good.

[Jez W]

HEY!

The jokes on us guys!-

just read the BBC's version of events- in Mrs Gibbons words to start off with;

"I am very sorry to leave Sudan. I had a 'fabulous time'. It is a beautiful place and I had a chance to see some of the countryside.

"The Sudanese people I found to be extremely kind and generous...

..I wouldn't like to put anyone off going to Sudan.

Then the BBC add;

"Jonah Fisher, former BBC Khartoum correspondent, said that the arrest of Mrs Gibbons must have seemed like an easy opportunity to give Sudan's former colonial masters a bloody nose."

Of course- It's all OUR fault. It's the Karma Police AGAIN getting good old Blimpish Whitey. How thick of us to ever suspect anything less.

Mind you, i am stupid AND thick- i'll admit this because i've taken the polar opposite conclusions away from all of this, that is what the BBC have anyway-

but does that mean that Jonah Fisher from the BBC is contradicting Mrs Gibbons assertion that no-one should be put off going to Sudan?

You know- with us all being from Britain and us all being directly associated with the 'former colonial masters'- of Sudan- that left fifty one years ago?

Ace.

[Jan]

I'm glad she is home safely. Whatever the rights and wrongs of the situation, it's led me to read a basic book on the Koran so at least I've got some understanding of Islam and don't unwittingly offend Muslims.

[A Scotsman who would like to see our Southern Neighbours do well]

Bill Thorpe - you're a fool, reguritating Richard Dawkins question begging 747 gambit (think about the logic and see the flaws).

This is about Islamic culture, which feels under threat and that it has to assert itself (maybe, fulfil its own prophecy of dominance), and a totalitarian government which wanted to make a political point aganst a former colonist.

Of course use of the word "Disproportionate" is inappropriate - she should not have been subject to any punishment, and Daniel Finkelstein has said this perfectly. Our various Islamic organisations should be encouraged to be clear on this.

I also thnk the British government played this well though. The best tactic is just to remain above annoyances like this unless someone's life is threatened or they really are going to be flogged or imprisoned for a long time.

By maintaining their haughty disdain for the situation, allowing Sudanese "justice" to run its course, and resisting gunboat diplomacy, Britain has retained the moral high ground, creating a very embarrasing situation for the hardliners. Even in the middle east nobody supported this.

Do you think militant Islam has won many converts during this episode?

[Roger Wilcockson]

Sudan was down near the bottom of the league from an economic and human rights point of view in the first place.

Now Sudan has sunk so low that it is at the bottom of the Toytown League for Teddy Bear Abuse.

I pity most the children who decided to call the bear Mohammed.

If they are happy to call the bear Mohammed, then adults should let them do so.

This only goes to show that those children are still too young to be brainwashed with narrow minded religious viewpoints expounded by selfish adults.

I am sure that most Muslim teddy bears in Sudan would regard it as a great honour to be called Mohammed, in the same way that human men do.

What do you think Paddington?

If a teddy bear cannot be called Mohammed then in the same degree, it should be an insult to call a human being Mohammed.

After all the general use of the name Mohammed was no problem for teddy bears before a prophet called Mohammed came along.

Or can we only call teddy bears Jesus?

I seem to recall that the population of Sudan is divided between Christians and Muslims, is it not?

[richard mayer]

How bloody ridiculous, given Muhammad is such a common name. Those misogynist nuts using religion to justify their sadistic behaviours make my blood boil.

[Dr. Lacher]

The behaviour of that person was very silly. She could have known, that it isn't decent to call a Teddy Mohammad in a Muslim country.The punishment was proportionate and not worth mentioning.

[Mabel]

I have a teddy bear in the house here in Baguio, Philippines, for when the local children come to play.

Unfortunately its head has fallen off.

I am going to call it Muhammed in memory of all Muslim teddy bears that have been barbarically beheaded in Sudan for medieval religious offences.

If we ever manage to get the head fixed back on, I will call it Jesus in memory of the resurrection.

Don't these Sudanese Muslims have any sense of humour, and can they not see the joy and pride that the children have with their teddy bear named Muhammed?

[George]

We are so grateful to the Sudanese for cutting short Gillian's jail sentence. They could learn much from Gillian. Can a land of such darkness afford to expel such generosity of spirit?

We should reward the Sudanese for their generosity by cutting their aid budget. Why, exactly, do we give money to countries such as Sudan, who have no concept of, nor respect for, human dignity or human rights?

[David]

No one deserves to spend any time in any jail for calling any Teddy Bear any name in any country. TYhe whole senario is one you wpould expect to see any a sartirical comedy like the 'life of Brian'.

I am sure that there are some good Muslims somewhere but this is difficult to believe as after 9/11 more and more so called ordinary Muslims have started to wear Burkhas, grow beards and preach Islam in streets and schools. The meassage in thieir preachings are that Islam is the only religion and non muslims are the enemy.

It is obvious that the sudanes in this case have been making up their own rules just like the new preachers. The whole Islam religion is now contaminated and needs to be revised otherwise it has no creditability.

[Daniel Davey]

Its what the children wanted to call the teddy! Why did she get jailed! It is pathetic, the critisise us for being racist, but yet the Sudan Government can look up and British woman and throw away the key! If we done that to a Sudan teacher in the UK, they would do there nut!

[eve]

"When a person comes to this country to work they are expected to abide by the laws here. therefore this silly woman should have done just the same when going to the sudan to work. Dont tell me she didnt realise what sort of regime she was working with!!!" end of quote.

No, she didn't that's why she went there in the first place instead of going to India or any other country where she could have been useful as a teacher.