New School Politics

Much Ado About A Teddy Bear Named Muhammad

Ryan | 1 12 2007

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The story about has been in the news a couple of days now. A British woman teaching in Sudan has been arrested for naming her class’ teddy bear “Muhammad,” which constitutes degradation of the prophet (at least according to the Sudanese government and many angry Muslims). From the AP:

Thousands of Sudanese, many armed with clubs and swords and beating drums, burned pictures of a British teacher Friday and demanded her execution for insulting Islam by letting her students name a teddy bear Muhammad.

Many in the protesting crowd shouted “Kill her! Kill her by firing squad!”

…

Gibbons was sentenced Thursday to 15 days in jail and deportation for insulting Islam with the naming of the teddy bear, which was part of a class project for her 7-year-old students at the private school.

She escaped harsher punishment that could have included up to 40 lashes, six months in prison and a fine. Her time in jail since her arrest Sunday counts toward the sentence.

Most also believe that the government, which for its escapades in Darfur has received castigation from the west, is exploiting the incident insofar as it wishes to fuel anti-western sentiment among its people.

The article continued:

The 54-year-old Gibbons, who was sentenced to 15 days in jail, spoke Friday with her son John and daughter Jessica in Britain by telephone.

“One of the things my mum said today was that I don’t want any resentment towards Muslims,” the son told AP.

But why shouldn’t she hold resentment towards Muslims? For many of them and according to their religious scripture free expression must be compromised to make room for sharia law, and in this case outlawing depiction of the prophet or “degradation” of any part of the religion. Many Muslims would want to see her put to death, at least imprisoned, for her benign actions, why should the teacher turn the other cheek? She shouldn’t. She should stick up for herself, just like the west should stick up for itself in the face of such controversies as the Danish cartoon incident among others.

This comes in light of new “youth” riots outside of Paris, which, like the more widespread riots of a year ago, the media mostly forgets to mention predominantly feature the wrath of one religion in particular.