in sudan at the moment is a teacher jailed for allowing the children of her class to call ateddy bear mohammed this name was the childrens choice and one of the children have the same name. really this lady did not intend to cause offence but certain officals over there have taken it as one. now forgive me if a muslim is over here in this country they can do allmost anything or say what they like when the british are over there everything they do can be taken as an insult doesnt this street work both ways or am i being deluded
We lived in Oman for a few years, and even though it is more 'relaxed' than Sudan, you just didn't attempt to put a foot out of place. Two ex-pat nurses that I knew there went to the souk one day, wearing shorts (very short shorts!) and wondered why they were bundled into a police car. They knew the rules, but chose to ignore them. The teacher has worked in the country for a number of years - she should have known better, but the punishment is too severe - hopefully one of their hierarchy will see some sense. As for being deluded - join the club, 'cos I'm in it with you!
I think this women should of researched the laws of Sudan a bit more before taking up work there...I mean I certainly don't know the laws but even I would know that naming a Teddy Muhammad is tredding on dodgy ground although I do think her only 'crime' is to of made a mistake & the news about the school now being closed until January & people outside baying for her blood all seems like she is being 'overly' punished, forgive me for saying this but I do question if this has anything to do with some people in Sudan not liking westeners, if that that is the case?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7114439.stm
xxx
There could be an element of that, Amelia Jane (though the impression I got was that ordinary Sudanese people are sticking up for her). We also need to remember that Sudan is a country that has been ripped in half over recent years, with a split between different religions playing a major part. Inevitably, this leads to extremism.
As I've said here before, the world would be a much less divided place without religions, and particularly without religious fanatics. But it seems to me that Islamic fanaticism and its accompanying social practices (which vary, of course, form country to country) are easier to understand if we think of them as lagging behind, rather than alongside, our own culture. Almost everything practised in Islamic cultures that seems extraordinary to us reflects what was once practised here (status of women, arranged marriage, blasphemy laws, etc) - but has now been abandoned here as outdated. Mocking Christianity would once have been a serious offence here, and there are those who would like it to be so again. One day the more backward parts of the Islamic world will catch us up in the 21st century. Let's hope we don't move backwards in the meantime.
in sudan at the moment is a teacher jailed for allowing the children of her class to call ateddy bear mohammed this name was the childrens choice and one of the children have the same name. really this lady did not intend to cause offence but certain officals over there have taken it as one. now forgive me if a muslim is over here in this country they can do allmost anything or say what they like when the british are over there everything they do can be taken as an insult doesnt this street work both ways or am i being deluded
The street certainly doesn't work two ways - every country has it's own culture and decides it's own rules. I think we should be a bit tighter on what we deem to be acceptable in Britain.
But I think it's misleading to use the term "Muslim country" as a generic term, just as it would be misleading to use "Christian country" and lump Britain in with the US and Venezuala, say. Each country has a different national character which is expressed in it's laws.
It's the fundamentalist sharia culture in Sudan which is the problem for this foolhardy teacher. If she'd done the same thing in Malaysia for example this scenario would not have happened.
Barmy old world.
Sharon.
__________________
Mohammed is also the name given to the first son in a family. I believe there is a little boy in her class called Mohammed. When my husband was born his muslim name was Mohammed Abdul Khalim (he converted to Buddhism when his mother died). Cassius Clay became Mohammed Ali - so, tell me where the blasphemy is here!
Love
Mohammed is also the name given to the first son in a family. I believe there is a little boy in her class called Mohammed. When my husband was born his muslim name was Mohammed Abdul Khalim (he converted to Buddhism when his mother died). Cassius Clay became Mohammed Ali - so, tell me where the blasphemy is here!
Love
It may be something to do with the fact that it is considered blasphemous to create an image of the Prophet. The point is, of course, that the bear was by no means intended to be an image of the Prophet, Mohammed, merely that this is the most popular name for boys. As if the people of Sudan didn't have enought to contend with already....But surely they will have to release her, perhaps with a fine so they save face with their imams. And is there no thought of the fact that she obviously wanted to contribute to the country by teaching the kids? What a world!
xx
i agree with you she went there to give her knowledge to the children and what happens as a result, and yes i feel we should tighten up our laws at the moment we seem to scared of causing an outcry when anybody from another country does anything what are we here a laughing stock of the eu
ps sorry about ranting but this is a subject i feel strongly about
what are we here a laughing stock of the eu
I don't think that's true, actually.
With regard to the situation in the Sudan, the unfortunate outcome of this, whatever happens, is that it will put off other people who might have been thinking of volunteering to try to help the country.
xx
Mohammed is also the name given to the first son in a family.
I've never heard of this before. My partner is Muslim and he's the youngest son and his first name is Mohammad as are all the men in his family. I've always been told that ALL Muslim men have their first names as Mohammad - obviously they don't all use this name on a day to day basis - just like we don't use our second names on a day to day basis (or in some cases our first names as some peepsa re known by thier second name.)
I hear that the student called Mohammed has told people that the bear was named after him not the prophet. Hope that helps sort things out for the teacher.
Personally, I think they should have called the bear Hilary. I think it's a good name for a bear. (And if you disagree, I'll send Hilary after you...)
in sudan at the moment is a teacher jailed for allowing the children of her class to call ateddy bear mohammed this name was the childrens choice and one of the children have the same name. really this lady did not intend to cause offence but certain officals over there have taken it as one. now forgive me if a muslim is over here in this country they can do allmost anything or say what they like when the british are over there everything they do can be taken as an insult doesnt this street work both ways or am i being deluded
Hear hear! You are absolutely right. Anyone can come here and do anything they wish with virtual impunity. Better keep any more personal views to myself though, otherwise I get myself in hot water.
just a thought, but why not teach in this country. According to her ex school she was an excellent teacher, and we need plenty more of them here.
Hear hear! You are absolutely right. Anyone can come here and do anything they wish with virtual impunity. Better keep any more personal views to myself though, otherwise I get myself in hot water.
That's just inflammatory....who is this 'anyone'? Please define your terms.
Well remember the main difference is that Britain is a 'free country', freedom of speech etc. Free free free - anyone can come over here to live and get freebies. They can also live to their own laws instead of ours but if we go to another country we have to abide by theirs. Who is to blame though? if you could go and do what you wanted where you wanted you would wouldn't you?
It's up to this country to sort it's self out or carry on with its give, give, give policies!
That's just inflammatory....who is this 'anyone'? Please define your terms.
Anyone is just that - any person from any country or someday in the future any planet!:)