Teacher chances 40 lashes after teddy bear lesson
A British teacher at an exclusive Sudanese school was sentenced to 15 days in prison after allowing her class to name the class’ communal teddy bear, “Muhammad.”
Charges against the 54-year-old educator could have earned her 40 lashes and up to six months in prison.
The class, all 7-year-olds, had put it to a vote. They pretty much agreed on the name, and the teacher had no problem with it.
Muhammad is a pretty common name in Islamic countries, after all. In fact, it’s the most common name, but because it’s also the name of their chief prophet. For lack of a better comparison, he is to Islam what Moses is to Judaism.
I could imagine a similar outcry in American if a class named its stuffed tiger Jesus, but it’s not like that’s nearly as common of a name. Even within Hispanic-speaking countries, Jesús isn’t nearly as common as Muhammad is within Islamic countries.
Cassius Clay liked that name, remember.
Far be it from me to impose my Western values and Establishment Clause on another country, but this conviction just seems politically motivated. The original story I read made the claim.
I wouldn’t put it past the Sudanese government to charge this teacher with blasphemy merely as a cheap sort of retaliation. There’s a sort of record over there for uncouth tactics.
What, really does Sudan have to gain from convicting a foreign woman of a crime that she was only tacitly accomplice to?
This is really the sort of thing that only makes sense in context, and not as a maneuver on the world stage. If it were, it would really boggle the mind.
****
In other news: New York stagehand strike ends, but Los Angeles writers keep on trucking; military ruler says he’ll reinstate freedom only after he got elected; and Christmas means a whole lot more to Bush this year.
Related Content
A verified e-mail address is required to post a comment.
Views expressed in the comments section are not representative of The Collegian unless so specified. Comments must be approved by a moderator before they are published. Comments that are inflammatory, profane, libelous and/or posted under a false name may be removed at the discretion of The Collegian. Comments may be used in the print edition of the newspaper. Be sure to pick up next Friday's issue of The Collegian for featured comments.
10 Responses to Teacher chances 40 lashes after teddy bear lesson
Leave a Reply
Connect with us »
Recent Posts »
- Year in Review: The Collegian sits down with President Welty
- Thrower McKee is a rare breed
- Sprinter perseveres through injuries
- Wrightful departure
- The “udder” truth about campus milk production
- Year in review: The Collegian sits down with President Welty
- What the future holds
- Student volunteer’s rough childhood fuels passion to give back
- Head Softball Coach Margie Wright announces retirement
- Shots fired in ‘Sin City’
- A final farewell: Seven seniors say goodbye
- Piercings represent independence and fashion for many
Expecting Muslim populations and governments to be rational about public policy is asking far too much.
By the way, Mohammed licks donkey rectum. Oh, watch out—–an international student from Pakistan is going to chop off my head.
Expecting Muslim populations and governments to be rational about public policy is asking far too much.
By the way, Mohammed licks donkey rectum. Oh, watch out—–an international student from Pakistan is going to chop off my head.
Those arab countries arent the brightest if you havent notice. Dont get me wrong they have very smart people but asking them to be rational is another story.
Just imagine the out cry if a muslim was whipped for naming a stuffed animal jesus. They would have a field day and persecute the world, stating religious injustice.
What a load of crap.
Those arab countries arent the brightest if you havent notice. Dont get me wrong they have very smart people but asking them to be rational is another story.
Just imagine the out cry if a muslim was whipped for naming a stuffed animal jesus. They would have a field day and persecute the world, stating religious injustice.
What a load of crap.
Doesnt the crime fit the punishment?
Doesnt the crime fit the punishment?
Mohammed also sucks pig anus.
It has been historically shown that the Prophet Mohammed was also a pedophile and child rapist.
Mohammed also sucks pig anus.
It has been historically shown that the Prophet Mohammed was also a pedophile and child rapist.
The Collegian Staff Comment
Future Squirrel Stuffer
Heh. And you guys get on my case for being a pompous jerk.
The Collegian Staff Comment
Future Squirrel Stuffer
Heh. And you guys get on my case for being a pompous jerk.