My Name is Muhammed

This was Gillian's intention and it is in line with our whole school plan to raise literacy skills - a target especially pertinent as the overwhelming majority of our pupils are of English as Another Language (EAL) status.

In line with this, the first task was to give the teddy a name. Gillian wanted to call the bear "Faris" (in honour of my new son); now we all wish she had gone with this first idea - but, excellent teacher that she is, she chose instead to ask the children what they wanted to call the teddy.

The children voted and chose the name Muhammad. All but one of the children in her class are Muslims.

Gillian then wrote a letter to the parents of Class 2X explaining that the children had chosen the name Muhammad for their class teddy bear. Not one parent raised any objection. Since late September, the teddy has been visiting many of the children of Class 2X's homes. Three of the parents are teachers in the school.

We became aware of this issue a few weeks ago. We suggested to Gillian that it was inappropriate that the teddy bear was called Muhammad, as this might offend cultural sensibilities. The school issued a letter to parents to say that the teddy bear was tired of visiting so many homes and his friend (another stuffed toy called something entirely inoffensive) would be visiting instead. The Islamiyat department in our school was consulted and they suggested that this should resolve any potential problems.

However, on Sunday, the school was visited by officers of the Ministry of Education. Our school director, Robert Boulos, was interviewed at length by these officials. The government officers declared themselves unsatisfied with his responses.

The government men then asked to see and interview Gillian. Gillian gave exactly the same report of her actions. Again, the men from the ministry found this unacceptable and demanded that Gillian present herself at the police barracks.

On arrival at the police barracks, accompanied by the school principal, Gillian was interrogated for five hours. Gillian was then remanded to the cells.

Early yesterday morning I was informed that Gillian had been charged under the Sudanese penal code with blasphemously defaming the Prophet - an offence that is incredible serious here.

Having consulted with a number of religious Muslim people hereabouts, all are of the opinion that Gillian's offence (if it may be described as such) was to inadvertently offend religious sensibilities by allowing the children to name the teddy bear with the same name as the Prophet. As this was not done maliciously, or with deliberate intent, they are puzzled about why Gillian has been detained.

All our parents, both Muslim and Coptic Christian, have stepped forward to offer their support; and the parents of Gillian's class have gone on record to assert that they never had any objection to the name of the teddy bear. I reiterate, the vast majority of these parents are themselves Muslims.

The school is now closed for at least the next week. This was the suggestion of the Ministry of Education. We have been provisioned with extra security around the school; school names have been removed from our transports. The risk of attack against school property and staff has become a concern.

Now, perhaps Gillian was foolish not to have taken advice when the teddy bear was named. However, her intention was clearly not to insult the religious sensibilities of anyone - and she certainly did not upset anyone in the school, or any of the parents.

We are all deeply concerned for Gillian, who is not half as tough as she likes to make out. She is alone, effectively being held in solitary confinement. She does not speak Arabic and the police staff where she was held until Tuesday morning did not speak much English. The police station had been surrounded by a mob baying for Gillian's blood.

I just heard that Gillian may have to face even more serious charges of sedition.

More war? And just who is going to fight that war?

You?

I could've told you that a long time ago. In fact I have, repeatedly, only to be attacked as an islamophobic racist.

That's because you ARE Islamophobic.

I could've told you that a long time ago. In fact I have, repeatedly, only to be attacked as an islamophobic racist.

I'm reluctant to agree with you because politically you and I are worlds apart.

Sharia law, and the Judeo-Christian-Humanist law that most of the rest of the world is based on, are also worlds apart.

cjhsa wrote:

I could've told you that a long time ago. In fact I have, repeatedly, only to be attacked as an islamophobic racist.

I dont recall you telling me repeatedly that Islam is evil. I only used the word evil because I want to kick these religious maniacs where it hurts.

I'm not anti muslim. I'm anti Islam. I'm not against the person, I'm against the stupid idea in his head that encourages him to do stupid and criminal acts.

I'm reluctant to agree with you because politically you and I are worlds apart. But there is nothing irrational about Islamophobia in the sense that there is nothing irrational about fearing people who want to kill you.

And its nothing to do with racism. I'm not anti Irish because of the IRA. Neither am I anti Russian because of communism. But I am anti Islam because it infects gullible minds and turns some of them into fanatical killers.

Ok thats me done feel a bit better, hope Gillian Gibbons does.

What is the Iraqi toll now, 650,000?