Teacher Sentenced for Insulting Islam

Gillian Gibbons was sentenced to 15 days in prison and deportation today by a Sudanese Court for the crime of "Insulting the faith of Muslims In Sudan." Gibbons is the British teacher who allowed her class to name a teddy bear. The name the class chose was Muhammad.

Yes, Gibbons could have been sentenced to 40 lashes and been convicted of crimes that are, under Sudanese law, much worse. However 15 days prison time in what, I am sure, is not a facility built with human comfort, decency or long term survival in mind, is a punishment that borders on barbarism.

Gibbons lawyer is planning an appeal. Let us hope and pray that her appeal does not end up with a harsher punishment like others have.

The Kansas City Star:

"A British teacher in Sudan was convicted Thursday of the less-serious charge of insulting Islam for letting her pupils name a teddy bear 'Muhammad,' and was sentenced to 15 days in prison and deportation to Britain, one of her lawyers said."

Also Covering:
Blogs of War

Teacher Sentenced for Insulting Islam