This is not going to do much for international teaching abroad programs, at least not in Muslim countries….
Briton Convicted In Sudan Blasphemy Case
British Teacher Convicted In Sudan Blasphemy Case Involving Teddy Bear Named ‘Muhammad’KHARTOUM, Sudan, Nov. 29, 2007
(AP) A British teacher in Sudan was convicted Thursday of inciting religious hatred for letting her pupils name a teddy bear Muhammad, and she was sentenced to 15 days in prison and deportation to Britain, one of her lawyers said.
Gillian Gibbons could have received 40 lashes and six months in prison in the case.
In London, the Foreign Office said it was “extremely disappointed with the sentence,” adding that Foreign Secretary David Miliband summoned the Sudanese ambassador to explain the verdict.
Gibbons, 54, was arrested Sunday after complaints to the Education Ministry that she had insulted Prophet Muhammad, the most revered figure in Islam, by applying his name to a teddy bear.
“The judge found Gillian Gibbons guilty and sentenced her to 15 days jail and deportation,” said Ali Mohammed Hajab, a member of her defense team.
Deportation a punishment?
Gillian Gibbons is probably relieved that in a little more than two weeks, she’ll be returning to the 20th Century.
As it turns out, one of her fellow staff members at the Unity High School turned her in. Unity High may have a wee bit of a problem filling that position in the future.
And for all those who feel compelled to make a difference in the Third World, don’t bother. It really ain’t worth it, that many there don’t deserve your efforts.
Gillian Gibbons found that out the hard way….
Read HERE
