If it is blasphemous to name things Muhammed, then most Muslim parents who name their kids Muhammed should all be lashed. What hypocrisy!

Would this happen in the UK if a muslim teacher let kids call a teddy Jesus.....probably not.

It's just more examples of how Islam is being interpreted by backwards people who don't know what they're doing, just like in Saudi Arabia where they jailed a woman for daring to take her case further up the courts after she was GANG RAPED 14 times. Now she's in jail for 6 months as well as receiving 200 lashes.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7096814.stm

MOHAMMED Asim Arshad, stafford,

The law may be wrong, but it is the law and she broke it. The law in Europe is also wrong, and if she was to break it by even saying she does not believe in Holocaust, she would have been jailed for a lot longer. Lets keep this in perspective. There are many nations which have bad laws. We in Europe are not better than others. We need to clean our own house first before pretending that only others are "dirty" barbarians.

Roy, Manchester, UK

what about the poor children in her class, what affect is this having on them to realise their teacher has been arrested because they named the bear. this is persecution and there is no reason why one of the parents could not have had a quiet word with the teacher to explain why it would be misunderstood. the children were showing their innocence and now religion and political incorrectness and the brutalness of conflict has encroached on the lives of innocent children. they will miss their teacher and i think this is dreadful for them.

Hazel burkett, Bath, England

I suggest some enterprising person quickly floods ebay with teddy sized t shirts marked "Im mohammed" or "Free Gillian Gibbons"...either in isolation or complete with Teddy Bear
I wish I had the resources to do this...a christmas winner with half the proceeds going to this poor lady who, having rented out her house will presumably arrive home with nowhere to live in a very unhappy state.

Natasha Stevens, London, UK

As a response to these fanatics we should take three steps:
Step 1 - expel the Sudanese embassy staff. Sudan has nothing we need, so why bother with diplomatic ties?
Step 2 - cut off all aid to Sudan. They want to live in the middle ages, let them.
Step 3 - stop the issue or renewal of any visas to Sudanese nationals. Let them stay where they are and stew there.

E Pritchard, Clevedon, UK

Fundamentalists of any religion (Muslim, Christian or whatever) exhibit the same trait-an inability to think for themselves-which is why the poorer countries seem to have most of them-what they need is education, education, education! We should insist financial aid is spent on education to remove ignorance from the world.

Mike B, Trowbridge, UK

John from Bristol

Ungrateful, ridiculous and an absolute disgrace to humanity. Why are we continually giving to charities every time these third world countries suffer disasters and drought when their governments are more concerned with upholding a religious belief? If this poor woman, who, in some mistaken belief she was doing something worthwhile with her life to benefit others, is punished for an honest mistake, then the west is never ever going to understand or accept Islam, This incident is totally irrelevant to the Muslims of Sudan they have greater things to worry about. The authorities are merely making an issue to cause confrontation with with Britain

John STEER, WESTON SUPER MARE ,

Could someone explain why it is OK to call a child Mohammed? By doing so surely the parents are proclaiming their child as a prophet. Is that not a sin?

In Spain Jesus is a common name so although in an English speaking country we may find it strange for a teddy bear to be called Jesus, in Spain it would be a as normal as calling your teddy James.

I find it hard to fathom how anyone can get insulted by this. It is just a teddy bear!

Baffled, Omaha,

Money going to Sudan would be better spent providing people in England with the same level of medical care that the Government makes available in other parts of the UK.

Mike, Midlands, UK

I've been to Dafur, and Khartoum. I think it was unthinking and insensitive of Gillian to allow it, but at the same time, this is not interpreting Islam correctly. Children cannot be expected to make politically correct decisions or to pronounce on Islamic or Sharia law, and nor can Gillian. The children's wish was to name the teddy after someone they loved. There are millions of people called Mohammed, it is a common name, a child acts naturally and a woman has to be flogged. Let's think about this: the "peace talks" are attended by men only, women are not allowed. What do the men want? Money, power, guns and resources. The excluded women want peace, an education for their children, no guns, and to go back to their villages in safety to start a new life.
Have we become barbarians again?

David

David Forbes, Johannesburg, South Africa

I think that all over the world this manufactured outrage over a Teddy bear will be remembered and imprinted in people's minds forever as the image of Islam.

Keith Budden, Rayleigh, England

A poor day for Islam,which once again fails to understand freedom,self expression,tolerance civilisation,humanity,truth and understanding.

A poor day for this weak British Government which does not understand the above.

A poor day for those sudanese nationals who will be the ones to suffer such intolerance.

ken, wokingham, UK

Well, no wonder we no longer respect teachers if this is a good example of a 54-years old specimen who obviously believed that she could go to Sudan and behave in the way we allow everyone else to freely behave over here. Has she allowed a class in the UK to choose Jesus as a name for a teddy bear? Is she mad or just incredibly naive?

Rosemary Venner, St Neots,

Saddest Humanity story all year for so many reasons.

Although I can't help but remind everyone of the big point they are missing.

THERE is and never was a Prophet or a Jesus, they are made up to scare peolpe into submission and boy doesn't it do just that!!

BigJohn, San Francisco,

How can anyone still doubt the inherent moral superiority of Islam.

Ellen Morris, Leeds,

This is a joke, right?

John James Connolly, Middle Village, NY, USA

That's the problem with all religions ; they all think they have God on their side. And evils they do in this name.
They are the dangerous places ; the dark corners of peoples minds

A Walton, Leicester, England

Shows how crazily some ignorant rulers interpret the Islamic faith.They shouldn't be in charge of a market stall let alone millions of poor,oppressed people.We are relying on our good,solid Foreign Office to help her.(As we all do,potentially,every time we leave UK.)We still have faith that "everything will be alright in the end."Long may it continue.

H.D., WsM, UK

Put yourself in the paradygm of an orthodox, hardline muslim who has absolutely no value for cuddly toys, especially one that was named Mohammed, which happens to be a name of millions of muslims including their holy prophet, and you realise that his tolerance would be zero. It gives him an ideal opportunity to flex his muscles and punish the christian infidel woman teacher and totally disregard international outcry.
Incedentally, Mohammed prophet considered himself to be an ordinary humble human being. His life was an example of simplicity, humility, compassion and tolerance.

To threaten to flog a woman for innocently calling a cuddly toy Mohammed would horrify the holy prophet himself, he would be outraged.
AV, London

Dr Abbas Virji, London, UK

Expel Sudanese diplomats etc? I should think so! We should have made these threats when the Sudanese government initiated the genocide in Darfur.

Margaret, Royston, England

My local Imam is tickled pink that my dog is named Mohammed - he always has a biscuit ready and kindly word with the little fellow as we pass by the mosque.

Killie, Jersey,

What sort of moronic country is this that allows parents to name their sons Mohammed but will not allow a class of primary school children to name a teddy bear after one of the children and then blame the teacher.
i know the country is in need , but why are we still giving them aid and peace keeping troops. if they are going to be this thick the government should look to thier muslim brothers in Saudie Arabia for aid instead of the west and the United Nations should withdraw all support and financial aid.

Richard Bentley, Wrexham,

People of Sudan have forgotten very quickly how much aid was sent to the country during a recent famine,If one stroke of a whip is unleashed on that lady`s body,the british community should never again supply aid countries that treat good people with draconian harshness, especially innocent good people.They will never get a single PENNY!!!!! from me.

tommy , teesside, The former Great Britain

When working abroad in a society that sees woman as inferior those women going to work there are fully aware of the 'rules' governing that country in general and women in particular and should tread carefully to avoid the situation that this silly woman finds herself. She has, by her stupidity, caused a major diplomatic incident and, whatever ones personal view of that countrys religeous hard-core rulings, deserves what she gets.

Derek Clifton, Andover, Hampshire, England

I have no doubt that this lady is a very nice person and she thought that if she brought some knowledge and education to such a poor country she would be doing good. Unfortunately she did not consider that the inhabitants of that country had their minds set in the 7th century and have no intention of leaving it.
Perhaps we need to put a little reality into their lives and the next time they have a famine we should refuse to bring the 21st century to their aid.

K Gardner, Leeds, UK

Stories like this are great for the atheists and cynics out there. Any chance to try and disprove the existence of God with verbose argument is a fantastic opportunity for them to impose THEIR beliefs on believers.

It has nothing to do with religion - religion in societies such as Sudan, Saudi etc is used as an excuse to maintain control because quite often the rationale behind their politics is very questionabvle indeed.

Islam, Christianity, Judaism etc do need to get into the 20th Century. I believe in God, but I think by preaching medieval rhetoric and socially retarded rules has and will continue to damage society/world and freaks and nutters will continue to use it as 'the opium for the masses'.

It's like saying the internet is great, oh hang on, it's got porn on it!!!! Argggh, get rid of it!

Dont be religious luddite Frank Collins, I reckon you'll find God on your deathbed.

Barney, Liverpool, UK

In the West, where the teddy bear is the favourite toy, teddies are anthropomorphised and given a place of honour in the hearts of children. But those who object in the Islamic world view the teddy bear as an animal, and thus to them naming the bear Mohammed is not parallel to naming a child for the Prophet, but is seen as an insult. I'm sure the children who proposed and voted for the name did so because it's a popular male name, and perhaps even to honour the Prophet! This is a "teachable moment" for children everywhere, and I hope there will be many discussions about how cultural traits and customs differ from one country to another, as well as the importance of understanding differing religious views and laws. It's obvious the teacher meant no harm, yet there's plenty of potential for harm in the situation, and expert diplomacy is called for at every level -- not least in the schools and homes of children.

Cynthia, Maryland, USA

"Islam is a peace loving religion."

Ashah, High Wycombe, UK

MsGibbons is naive and innocent.
Innocent because her intention to allow her pupils to name their teddy bear Mohamed was not to insult islam.
Naive because she went to Sudan where zealots-clerics run every day life.
I am very disappointed that all comments come from British ,probably white readers, and not from people of the large muslim community in UK.

Konstantinos, Athens, Greece

when are people going to realise that in this day and age, there is NO excuse for this woman commiting this dumb act. She messed up and should have known better. Sudan has their own laws and culture, and foreigners should respect those laws and culture.
Pity we in Europe are not so strict........

Jack, London,

Having read the comments on here, the for's and against's, it looks like the start of another religious polictical war!

S.Swarbrick, Hythe,

The only people insulting Islam here are the fanatics who are braying for this poor woman's blood. Shame, shame, shame,

graham, watford,

The country of Sudan has a very short memory, it is not that long ago, that they were suffering a famine ofor which the British community donated vast amounts of money and AID!!!!! If one stroke of a whip is laid on that innocent lady, We should never again send anything to a country with Draconian punishments, I for one will not give a single red cent to any muslim country ever again, I`m not a racist, I am a REALIST! A person who has given generously to countries in need, but never again, they have just lost a large benefactor.!!!!!.

tommy , teesside, The former Great Britain

I hardly think the naming of a teddy bear (by vote) with a name that is widespread is comparable to a hate crime by any stretch of the imagination, as for the activities in Saudi Arabia there has been plenty of UK protests and coverage, the key difference isn't the colour of the accused skin as you purport, but that fact that she is a British national, where as the rape victim is unfortunately a Saudi Citizen.

KP, London,

Hard to believe that the naming of every childs favourite toy can be an insult -wouldnt most sane people think it was a tribute -what kind of a country are we pandering to?last night the sudanese representative was interviewed on newsnight and his sneering face said it all -we need to cut off all connections and aid to this regime ,stop the political correctness and face the fact that we are living in totally different worlds .they are more concerned with this bear than the suffering masses in their own country .

phil, manchester, england

Agree it is a farce and trust that it can be solved by diplomacy.

It made me think back to a day on Oxford Street. We were letting a flat to a lovely Portuguese guy called Jesus. A chap came up to us and asked us: "What is your relationship with Jesus?" To which my husband simply replied: "Landlord and tenant".

What's in a name. Stop the madness.

M, London, UK

What a sweet, gentle looking lady!
Let her go!!!

(What did she go to work in Sudan for, of all places...?)

Avraham Makeler, Rehovot, Israel

Quite simply, Sudan is a basket case. I am quite incredulous that a foreigner would (i) choose to live and work there and (ii) not realise that, when in a basket case country, one has to abide by basket case rules. This is really analogous to someone deciding to hike up Snowdon on a cold windy day without a waterproof jacket and to then have to appeal for help when stranded: ie, utterly naive.

I am sure that this teacher is a good-hearted, kind conscientious teacher, but, as we are witnessing now, those qualities count for nothing when dealing with religious totalitarians who impose extreme religious law for the most minor infractions.

David B, Brussels,

Syed Usman, Karachi, We do not jail women in this country for allowing their pupils to name a teddy bear. Neither do we kill them with stones or lash them for being subjected to the weakness of mens desires. That is a purely muslim trait.
The woman in Saudi Arabia has my sympathy for being born a muslim with no opt out but death, but she is not British. The 'white' teacher is and as a result we should do everything necessary to protect her from the zealots of Islam whose sole aim is to constantly assert its dominion over the other religions, using acts of agression and threats of violence. It really is getting tedious.

David Thijm, Stourbridge, UK

How about getting steamed up about what the British did to the Sudanese in the 19th century. How about some national contrition. Teddy bears, my foot.

Mike Martin, Granada, Spain

Oh I'm so sorry. I didn't meant to offend you. It was a misunderstanding. Please forgive me. Oh, I'm so sorry. Please please please accept my apology. I'm so sorry. Can i give you something so you will forgive me.

That is the western world's attitude to these people. Pathetic, spineless western world. My grandparents who fought in the wars of Europe would be ashamed of the outragously weak attitude we have adopted. Get some spine western world. Stop this stupidity before (if it's not too late) they overrun us.

david, madrid,

I think its stupid really that all this has happened. Everyone moans that we live in a society that is racist. The teacher conducted a vote within class for the teddys name. Surely it would had provolked more anger and possibly accused of racism if she had excluded the name mohammed as a possible name?

Rob Childs, Cambridge, UK

If in the UK, Muslim kids name their teddy/ animal pet Queen Elizabeth 11 or Duke of Edinburgh -not to mention Jesus Christ, would the British be pleased?
The English kids need to be corrected while they are young.

CHARLES EDEOGU, Warri , NIGERIA

Why is this teacher there in the first place? For excitement? For a "learning experience?" It would be silly to only say that this punishment is vile, ludicrous, and shocking...because that's beside the point really.

Look, as a teacher she should have realized that the territory she was stepping into does not mesh with her standards of a rational society. Therefore, she should have looked for a job in the UK instead.

I don't know what David Miliband can do, honestly. He can wield the economic powers of Britian or threaten the expulsion of Sudanese diplomats. But, ultimately, Ms. Gibbons should have strayed from this dangerous culture and environment because since the day she got there, she was under the full "protection" of the Sudanese legal system.

Aleks, Beograd, SRB

Well I teach kindergarten and I am naming my soft cuddly class pig Mohamed in solidarity!

Shaun Corrigan, TAIPEI, Taiwan

The Muslim faith teaches kindness and humanity. All this woman has done is let her pupils name a teddy after a popular boy in her class. Why is that a bad thing deserving of punishment? because the boys name happens to be the same name of the last Prophet, will he be flogged too for having the name "Mohammed"? no!

It is a sad state of affairs, I am Christian and if someone named their boy Moses, I would think that was lovely. If a child I knew wanted to call their teddy Jesus, I would think that was lovely too. Things are as bad as you make them. There are more important things we all should be worrying about. The naming of a teddy in a favourable way is not one of them.

ER, slough, berks

she is plain innocent, must be released without conditions.
In 2005 Marithé and François Girbaud's parodied Leonardo's religious painting The Last Supper...Catholic church initiated lawsuit against the Girbauds...The judge qualified the poster as "an insult to Christians."
Blasphemy laws in England...person in Britain to be imprisoned for blasphemy was John William Gott on 9 December 1921. He had three previous convictions for blasphemy when he was prosecuted...comparing Jesus to a circus clown...sentenced to nine months' hard labour.

In 1977, Denis Lemon... found guilty of blasphemous libel for publishing James Kirkup's poem The Love that Dares to Speak its Name which allegedly vilified Christ and his life (Whitehouse v. Lemon). Lemon was fined £500 and sentenced to a suspended sentence of nine months imprisonment

shair, hampshire, UK

How long before labour and the pc gangs bring in similar laws here regarding names of teddy bears?

Anyone called Mohammed should now be thoroughly disgraced at how this prophet has been interpreted, very hateful to humanity.

petitions.pb.gov.uk/correct

Steve Aynsley, Northumberland, England

Just to point out again it was not Gillian Gibbons who named this teddy, it was the children in her class, so why aren't the parents of these children been punished, as they obviously haven't been teaching their children about their religion correctly. Also as many other people have commented, why is not an insult to Islam for boys/men in this country to be called Muhammad?

Jenni Hadley, Sheffield, England

Steve Barnett, Grays, UK - Which aid? I understand that most westerners ingorantly believe that they are feeding Black Africa. You are not! Your governments and so-called charities feed mainly privilleged rogues. Meanwhile, the Sudan where the British Woman is being held does not need any aid. In fact, the woman who went there in the first place , probably went on an idle adventure as nobody aparently needed her services there!

Nwenu, London, UK

It's outrageous that society has become so politcally correct that many here are suggesting that Ms Gibbons is responsible for her plight because "she should have known". These are the same people who hold down their screaming 3-yr old girls and slice off their genitals with a rusty straight razor in the name of "honor".

This poor woman is likely to be whipped within an inch of her life and the best idea is to "expel Sudani diplomats"? What will you do when Muslim extremists start beating (or worse) British citizens IN BRITAIN? Get really mad? Jump up and down? Someone needs to grow a pair and give these clowns 24 hours to release her before taking lethal action.

Marco, Miami, FL USA

Let us make sure we do not forget what has been done, yet again 'in the name of islam'.

Perhaps we should seriously rethink if this is the best use of our money, medical and teaching staff. I think not.

David, St Albans, UK

Maybe this misguided teacher should have heeded the advice that 'charity begins at home'.'
Just because such liberalism flourishes in the Uk does not mean it has managed to become a fabric of these stone age countries, where men rule and women are hardly regarded at all!

prudence eely bond mcguire, London, UK

Looking back, how could Gillian Gibbons avoid leaving herself open to trumped up charges of blasphemy in a society so besotted with religion that almost every male child is called Mohammed. Islam is regarded by many, me included, as a backward culture with nothing to offer the West except a begging bowl, yet it demands respect whilst persecuting an innocent schoolteacher who is there to try and improve their miserable lot. Respect? Respect for what?

Jeff Clarke, Maidstone, Kent

Am I the only one to notice the absurd irony in this case? The laws under which Gillian Gibbons is being tried also exist in this country. Incitement to religious hatred has just been introduced! It would only take a change in perspective for her to face the same prosecution in this country. So the labour goverment is hardly in a position to preach enlightenment to the Sudanese!
We've already stood by while a huge protective barrier has been raised between justice and the theocrats. Just wait, they'll come for you one day.
Look around the BBC is currently defending itself against a potential prosecution for blasphemy! Is the 21st century or the 14th?

Bill, Glasgow,

Without in any way excusing the conduct or intentions of those promoting this course of action and manipulating events in Sudan, we in the West, and particularly in the UK, have lost all sense of reverence for the name and reputation of the God of the historic Christain faith. His name and that of His Son Jesus Christ have been reduced to ignominy and to commonplace swearing. Everything is to be tolerated, it seems, particularly the ridiculing of anyone who declares their faith in Christ.

G. K. Chesterton said that "when men cease to believe in God, they do not believe in nothing". He was referring to the God of the historic Christian faith. The greatest danger for the West was once perceived to be Communism, hence four decades of a Cold War. It is now Islam which will take no hostages in its striving for influence and power. Having abandoned our historic Christian roots, rest assured Islam will try to fill the vacuum. How many wake-up calls do we need before we realise that?

Concerned, Glasgow,

"some religions take blapshemy quite serious including christian, judaism and buddhist."
- Woah there. Not quite in the same league.
All those religions take ignorance and insult daily, mostly (except for the small rabid Christian shouty groups) quietly and without fuss.
Where are the Jews calling for the death of Holocaust deniers? Where are the Buddhists calling for the cruel punishment of those who destroyed the Bamiyan statues?

Disaproving of insult to things you hold dear is ok. Yes it is. Think about it. Saying the insulters should be stoned, lashed or beheaded is not. Moving from disaproval to wild righteous anger is simply a sign of tremendous spiritual immaturity.
As far as I'm aware, only Islam, the religion of "Behead those who insult the Prophet" - sorry, I mean the religion of peace - does this.

Paul, London,

It's a good job the teacher did not show them the DVD
" Life of Brian" how many lashes would that have brought?

Religion is the cause of all evil

Keith

Manchester

Keith Evans, Manchester, lancashire

Islamic faith is a sham. Getting insulted over a teddy bear name Mohamed? How lame.

Anyway, let this be a lesson to all non-muslim liberal do-gooders. Do not help Muslims. Let them help themselves.

Ron Jeremy, Kuala Lumpur,

Corporal Jones offered perhaps the most useful advice on dealing with these people (which might be heeded by Mr Milliband) while remembering his service at Battle of Omdurman in the Sudan in 1896."They don't like it up 'em, Captain Mainwaring, sir!'' At Omdurman, around 10,000 Ansar were killed, 13,000 were wounded, and 5,000 were taken prisoner. Kitchener's force lost 48 men with 382 wounded.

Captain George Mainwaring, Walmington-on-Sea,

If Mohammed was a prohet, then his works were for goodnes and kindness, is this not what a Teddy Bear does a comfort for those who need it, and a friend. Surely this is a complement that the children think of the name is such away, or is that ever person in the world named Mohammed also apply to those childern in this school call "Mohammed". When is the world going to get real.

karen , slough, United Kingdom

To blame an event being an "unhinged" and fanatical is showing how ill-informed a person about anothers religion. Have you understand why the issue is being such as blasphemous issue in Sudan? If its not blasphemous, then why aren't there any teddy called "I'm Jesus" or " I'm Mary Magdelene" etc. Last point, why did she first of all feel the need to name a teddy? Lastly, an apology by the teacher concerned could also help to diffuse the issue.

Ron Slight, Leeds, England

"All this invective somewhat misses various points. Firstly, we have very similar laws in this country under which somebody can be punished for hate speech.

Your government lied about WMD in Iraq and killed over 100,000 people. So get off your high horse." -- Syed Usman, Karachi

Okay, Syed. We have laws against 'hate speech'. But what on Earth did this lady do that could be considered hateful? What this does show is that we must ensure in this country that insulting someone's religion is never a crime. We should be free to say what we like about religion - epecially given that most of it is so absurd.

With regard to your other point, it appears that our government probably die lie about WMD and when they face the electorate again, I hope we remind them of that.

Dr D Dragon, Bath,

Sudan you have bitten the hand that feeds you and I will feed you no more.

Alan wallace, warks , uk

The arrest is ridiculous, but how could such an intelligent woman have been so daft to not realise that going to a fundamentalist muslim country and naming a teddy bear after a religious leader would not cause controversy???
If a child in our country called its teddy bear Jesus we would find that very stange and some adults here would be a bit freaked out by it.

Thomas, Ballymena,

Rasputyn - dry your eyes and stop bleating on. Perhaps you can also in your own twisted way justify the actions of the Janjaweed?

Follower of Christ, you follow a different Christ to the one I know. Perhaps you got confused by the Muslim teddybear and it was all too much for you?

It is perfectly clear that the racist black male elite in Sudan have got a white, Christian, woman at their mercy and are revelling in supposed indignation. It is however unfashionable to suggest that anyone but white 'Westerners' can be racist, and so we continue to treat these radical Muslims with kid gloves while they imprison/lash/blow up our own kind.

To make this a religious thing is wrong. It is about racism pure and simple.

Scotty Dog, Newcastle upon Tyne, England

A short while ago there was a news article about how Nick Griffin of the BNP had said that Islam is a "wicked and vicious faith". The next news article was about Gillian Gibbons "crime" of allowing a teddy bear (a lovable child's toy) to be called Mohammed and her being threatened with 40 lashes for the privilege. A touch of irony here I think.

Robin March, Berkhamsted,

Some predictably idiotic comments from fundamentlaist atheists on here. Reading comment 1 - how typical of a "Scottish Atheist" to defend Islam - I wonder what he (s)he has to say about Christianity?
Paul - how would you impose making religion illegal? People like you represent a corrosive, sanctimonious and smug element of society that do nothing but sneer at others without ever offering any solution beyond the inane (like outlawing religion).

Lose your traditions and these are the theocrats waiting to impose their vision of the world.
One country with very similar laws (Iran) is working hard to get the bomb and may have it soon. One country with a large, intolerant Muslim fundamentalist minority (Pakistan) already does.

At some point I feel we're going to need to confront this. Shame they've got the oil, otherwise we could let them have their desert and their "prophet" and shut up shop.

John, London,

----'retaliatory actions'? Send in the SAS!

Sonya Porter, Woking, England -- UK

"Don't confuse Muslims with fanatics"

An interesting concept. The writer obviously doesn't see how moderate belief in the supernatural and the whole concept of "faith" (proof from authority) naturally leads to fundamentalism and fanaticism. His religious "moderates" are simply holding the doors open for the lunatics to run through.

Christopher Mitcins, London, UK

I would think that the real reason for the punishment is not naming a toy after a prophet, its the use of a democratic vote to do so. The 'law givers' are probably incensed by the teaching of an enlightened and fair political process when their preference would have been for the teacher to impose a name on the offending toy and give 40 lashes to any child who dared to argue!

thatmoone, Aberdeen, Scotland

Are these people so insecure about their religion? is there no room for understanding, humour, forgiveness, mercy in their makeup? British muslims should unite publicly in condemnation of this travesty. If they do not , might that not be a clue as to what they have in mind for the rest of us?.

Frank, Eastbourne, UK

Are there any protests being organised outside the Sudanese embassy in London? Please advise of timings etc.. Thousands upon thousands should be there. Grind London to a halt.

Tom , London, UK

er... I was under the impression that aid to sudan was going to people who have suffered under the oppressive dictatorship. I didn't realise we were funding the regime. I thought the chinese were doing that.

I'm afraid anyone who is considering pulling aid to sudan is just being tight-fisted. it's precisely because of ridiculous charges like this one that aid is needed.

of course, aid is just a sticking plaster. what is required is regime change.

jem, london, uk

If Sudan does anything to harm this woman then Britain should immeditately pull the plug on all aid .

Steve Barnett, Grays, UK

It is time for reciprocity, big style! Do any of the judges, lawyers, or clerics involved in this case have children studying in Britain? Send them home!
Sudanese applying for visas to visit Britain? Let the Consular section of the British Embassy consider their applications - for months. And anyone named Muhammad, well let them wait a lot longer.

Patrick Gage, Chester, United Kingdom

what the hell was the woman thinking when she named the teddy muhammad is she thick?. it is obvious that the sudanesse are going to take offence. If she had made anti semetic remarks then no body would bat an eyelid at any punishment

mozimmal, stoke on trent ,

I suggest that every teddy bear all over teh world now be renamed Mohammed in tribute to this poor teacher's plight.

Susan Whiteman, Leicester, UK

I think this is another example of how dangerous and unhinged fanatical Muslims are and how inflexible their outlook on life. Also a teddy bear is usually a well loved and cared for "toy" and therefore it is obvious that no slight was intended.

Anne Oliver, Stockport, Cheshire

An unfortunate but well deserved reminder to the British academia and some of its labour unions bent on boycotting Israel and on trying to "delegitimize" the only democracy that will ever exist in that entire region.
Maybe now the Brits will start getting over the notorious "Lawrence of Arabia Syndrome". July 7 tragedy was, apparently, not enough.

Jaysonrex, Toronto, Canada

Rasputyn, As to the regard of laws in other countries, this from an American or is it muslim? You can't be both.
We British only accept laws in other countries when they are reasonable. Being sentenced to lashes or prison for calling a teddy bear Mohammed is not a law we would recognise and never will accept. It is just stupidity of the highest order and deserving contempt. A teddy bear would not bring your religion into disrepute as thousands of men named Mohammed undoubtedly have. You'd be wise to attract more teddies to follow Islam instead of the malcontents it is currently overflowing with.
During the days of the British Empire we gave the planet an entirely satisfactory legal system. Including the Christian country you 'dwell' in. It is not our fault most of these countries have strayed from the path we set, but entirely down to the moral calibre of the people who gain political or religious power, which has proved lacking ever since.

David Sith, Stourbridge, UK

For all those slamming 'religion' in general, kindly don't chuck out the baby with the bathwater: the baby being the basic faith on which Britain is founded, ie. uncomplicated faith in God through Christ. 'Religion' as demonstated so ably by Islam and also, historically, Catholicism, produces repression, control freak leaders and a climate of fear. The essential message of Christ is that God (note spelling) is Love. The essential command is to love your neighbour as yourself.
Protestant England fought off the Catholic Scots, Spanish, French and Germans, led by Bonnie Prince Chas, Philip of Spain, Napoleon and Hitler (Catholic background but atheist, much like Stalin, Marx and Dawkins) Previously they also joined other Europeans in fighting off Muslim invaders who reached France and Vienna.
British men and women remember your faith and history!

Pomdownunder, Albury, Australia

The solution is simple.

In the past 5 years, UK provided ~£326 mn in aid to Sudan, 30% of the total.

Now, either the Sudanese authorities release this woman immediately, without harming a hair on her head, or it we stop the aid.

Anna Stevens, Oxford,

The true Muslim faith is strong, tolerant, peaceful and forgiving. It isn't damaged nor are its beliefs brought into disrepute by the naming of a cuddly toy. The reaction to this naming is not Muslim, but the reaction of fanatics. The reaction is far more damaging to the reputation of the religion than the act ever was. Don't confuse Muslims with fanatics.

Scottish Athiest, Scotland,

Why do we tolerate such nonsense, is it any wonder racial prejudices are spreading in the UK. If Islamic followers continue to act in this way, more people will form irrational opinions about ethnic groups and racism will grow and not decline. Our government must start representing the people of the UK, voters are fed up of officials who sit on the fence and are too scared to say what they really think in case they upset a Muslim or other religious crank.

Mark Raine, Leeds, West Yorkshire

Flog the person who employed the teacher, as Gillian obviously wasn't "fit for purpose" and had not been properly screened. Alternatively, send her on a corrective course in Islamic belief. Better still, let her go and compensate her and her family massively for false imprisonment and threats to her person. Oh no, sorry, those are human rights aren't they. Silly me.

Veryfedupofthisstuff, Sotogrande, Spain

This shows how dangerous Islam is.

People of the forgiving Christian faith suffer Islam intolerance and their insults.

While Islam is preparing for world domination.

There religion is now portected under English law.

Slowly give them enough Islamic politicians in this country and we will all live under Shia Law.

JFW, Stone, UK

Ignorant, barbaric people. Maybe now those who flirt with the idea of adopting the Islamic faith will realise just how this religion treats women for committing even the most minor of misdemeanours. Recently, a woman in Saudi Arabia was also sentenced to a public flogging for being raped, the reason for the topsy-turvy verdit being that she dared to sit unchaperoned in a car with a man. Nothing done to him, of course - what a wonderful sense of justic Moslems display.

Colin Cumner, Adelaide, South Australia.

The sheer silliness of the treatment of this matter in Sudan is absurd enough - but for me, reading the comments here have been even more entertaining!!

MHugo, Bloemfontein, RSA

All this invective somewhat misses various points. Firstly, we have very similar laws in this country under which somebody can be punished for hate speech. The only real difference is that in Sudan they use the lash. Secondly, there are a large number of countries that we call friend who have far more draconian rules. Saudi Arabia is on the cusp of whipping a woman for the crime of being raped, but we're staying pretty quiet about that one. Of course, the difference that this is a white British woman. Our objection to the behaviour, then, but to the skin colour and ethnicity of the woman being punished for what is a crime in Sudan. The response from the British public is monumentally bigoted, hypocritical and twisted. Don't forget that your government participates in the rendition and subsequent torture of civilians suspected of terrorist activity. Your government lied about WMD in Iraq and killed over 100,000 people. So get off your high horse.

Syed Usman, Karachi,

Rasputyn, you can snigger and sneer as much as you like, but in doing so you show your own ignorance and stupidity.

Can you, or will you, not see that by the actions of Sudans government and the 'Religious Zealots' that the REAL losers are the Muslim people and Islam?

I suspect that it is you who needs to 'grow up' and 'get a life'.

If you have nothing intelligent to say then stop insulting my native tongue by your abuse of it.

Schmuel, Peterborough, England

Hang on a minute! Mohammed is not God; Mohammed was the 'prophet' of God. A man. A human being. With children. Innocent children. Teddy Bears have come to symbolize that innocence, even in countries where bears have never lived.

Innocence is surely to be treasured as it is so fleeting. All too soon the innocence of childhood is replaced with the skepticism and often cynicism of adulthood. That Gillian Gibbons permitted her students to choose the name THEY wanted for their own symbol of childhood innocence rather than choosing FOR THEM is to be commended, not punished. To name a favourite toy is an act of love and respect. Ask any child.

If adults are incapable of recognizing innocence when they see it, they are a danger to themselves and others. And there is a name for that: Insanity.

Siobhan, Cape Town,

This is only one opinion;

Does anyone think that in this above article there is a hidden message for anyone contemplating doing this sort of thing in future?

Would they (the Sudanese) be clambering to teach our poor children?

Answer; Only if there were a finish product that benifited them-eg. to convert them to Islam.

There is the answer for all of this- the locals of this area are putting two and two together and coming up with five.

Christian comes to town- teaching Muslim kids- why?

In their mind, to cause trouble and lay the seeds for converting the children there.

So many different people in this place will have so many reasons to follow this right through to the end in Sudan.

It's just unbelievable that this has happened in the age of flowing information and begs this question;

-are people still this naive from Britain?

p.s. I really do hope Mrs Gibbons comes out of this ok.

Jez W, Leeds,

wheres Shami Chakrabati the human rights saviour?

randeep, Birmingham, west midlands

Why is the British government not doing anything to save this woman? Shouldnt we be protecting her rights?

Crow, Windsor, England

If she named a Guy (as in Fawkes) and set fire to it, thats a little more understandable, but my God, its a bear. Not even a particularly special bear.

Some incredibly backwards minded person who continues to pursue this needs to grow up.

I think the compromise that she be ejected from the country is a fair way to end this, since they will appear to have won and banished the infidel, and she doesn't get a beating.

Finally, who squealed in the first place? Its not exactly something you'd ring the newspapers with immediately...

Scott, Hull Uni, Hull, Last stronghold of the British Empire

No doubt we shall all be urged shortly by religious worthies to think of the 3rd world and give generously for the xmas period. Any monies I donate this year will be for UK causes-I would rather burn the notes than think that I might be funding however indirectly, such a regime.
I would urge others to do likewise.

paul lewis, Tongue, Sutherland

The Question is twofold , Firstly Gillian Gibbons Must know that When in Rome do as the Romans do and I'm sure she is enjoying low / no tax etc. BUT more importantly - it was the CHILDREN who chose the name not her. Therefore what is happening to the children?

John Brandler, BRENTWOOD, Essex

The Religious zealots in Sudan are doing what they do best - creating hate and conflict.

I have no doubt that there will be a fat Aid cheque from the Labour Government fleeting on its way to Khartoum before long, which no one will think of cancelling,

Until such times as Africa can get its act together, we should treat any assistance offered with great circumspection.

I hope this lady realises her mistake of working there and gets on the first plane home after she is released.

Norman West

Norman West, Truro, UK

Hard to believe we are in the 21st centuary and not burning witches at the stake to apease some paranoid schitzophrenic man made god! Religions enrich cultures and peoples all over the world and provide a structure for living but are also responsible for most of the wars and human atrocities. Figure that one out! Anyway, we must stand up to this stupidity. Surely, those who advocate these punishments dont believe their religion is so weak and pathetic that it needs such fascist style protection? Or do they? Enlightened Free speech will survive! (Eventually). Im ofended by lots of things every day but I dont want to stone someone to death for wareing a tracksuit or chewing gum!

Luke, Herts., UK

Its about time we got the hell out of these backward countries. They resent our meddling, and do not appreciate the billions in foreign aid they are given. Yes the situation in Darfur is tragic, but we are only perpetrating it by giving money to tyrants and religous supremacists. Foreign aid should be allocated on a 'fair trade' basis, regardless of religion. Here in the UK there are homeless people on the streets and old folk dying on germ-infested hospital trolleys - lets get our priorities right for a change.

catherine, sheffield,

. . . Watch sloth and heathen folly
bring all your hope to nought.

Old RK had it right.

Ed, Winchester, NH, USA

Let's be realistic, how strong is a faith that has to protect its figurehead from being compared to a teddy bear by 7 year old children. This may be a religion we don't understand but human sentiment should be enough to show all people that this is ridiculous. Yet more amunition for Richard Dawkins!

Steve Jeffries, sutton,

..ahhhh Islam, a religion of peace and love, isnt it....?!?!
We can see and read this everyday....

tom watkins, london, uk

UIt is time we stopped referrring to "justice" systems in Saudi, Iran and Sudan. These countries don't have justice in the sense we know it in the west, only "law", and that is in the hands of clerics and rulers who use it to preserve their own power over the people.

George Edwards, Beijing, China

Don't be unfair on islam. Mahomet came down to earth some 600 years after Christ.

600 years back we too were savages excommunicating people and beating them and what have you in the name of God.

Give them another 4 to 5 hundred years to become civilized

Barker, Toulouse,

Ah, how religious institutions struggle, using the whip of fear not the chalice of love, in the face of a better educated, better informed,more aware population.
It takes a seven year old to highlight the absurdities of cleric
manipulated/interpreted codes.
Islam died at Beslan and with each one of these absurdities
it dies again,little by little losing respect in the world.
It must be very hard for any well-balanced, well-informed and compassionate follower to try and remain true to a core belief in the face of these continuing self-inflicted assaults.

Keith, Dalsland, Sweden

The rich parents who embrace Western ideals in Khartoum are talking double standards. How can they justify treating an innocent visitor to their country, who has entered a country with mixed culteral values, with such rudeness and disrespect..

Why have these rich people lost their manners , when here in the UK we welcome Sudanese doctors and nurses who bring their immense skills to our NHS. I feel these rich Sudanese people are hypocrites, and by virtue of their ill tempered actions, are themselves insulting the Prophet Mohammed and all his teachings.
To direct hate onto a middleaged English woman is a disgrace, and proves the once repected Sudan has fallen deeper into disfavour.

Maggie Snook, wareham, dorset

Recently I spent almost three months in Syria, Iran and Jordan;
alone and using public transport. I was fortunate to meet many of the locals and contrary to the belief expressed in the letters column, found them to be generous, kind beyond belief and utterly charming. The name Mohamed is used as frequently as the name Jesus is in Spain and Latin America; obviously I can't speak for the Sudanese. However, much as I dislike conspiracy theories logic tells me there is more to this story than we are being told.

Venise Alstergren, Melbourne, Victoria 3142, AUSTRALIA

Dear Rasputin
You haven't got a clue about what's going on.
I'm a brit, not one of those ex colonial types, but one who has spent a lot of time in Sudan when I was younger.
One of my camels was called Mohammed and it didn't upset any of the muslims I lived and travelled with. I didn't have the impression of insulting the Sudanese or their religion.
The Sudan was an amazing place and the nortern tribes, in spite of them being muslims, were not fanatics. A number of europeans I met converted to Islam in Sudan because of it's openness. Unfortunately for Mrs Gibbon times have changed she is a victim of the new islamic order but she is not the only victim. If you happen to be from the south of Sudan, christian or animist, you too may be whipped or amputated for Islam. And even if you are muslim and unfortunately not of arabic origin you may be massacred on a large scale as is proven in Darfur.

Ken Leggat, mougins, france

While this has been blown out of all proportion, it seems foolhardy to have allowed the teddy bear to be named Mohamed given the sensitivities and laws in such countries; you have to live by the laws of the country you are in, even if some seem a little daft to you.
Sounds like a case of naivity rather than deliberate intent, but let us not forget that this is somebody else's country and they are entitled to their own views, even if we in the West cannot understand them.

Mark, Gloucester, England

Wish we had 10,000 paratroopers!!.....what a sad situation how can anyone take seriously people that will give 40 lashes and a prison sentence for allowing children to call a teddy bear there favourite name....beyond ludicrous...stop the world i want to get off!!

Paul Houghton, JHBG, South Africa

I have zero sympathy for this daft liberal teacher being taught an apt lesson in human nature, and used as a decoy hostage in a country intent on turning the worlds attention away from the genecide taking place there.
Also I would have thought there are plenty of Sudanese children languishing away in Uk inner city schools to challenge any teacher of the British Way .

wayne, huntingdon, cambridgeshire

This is totally unreasonable on several counts as many people have pointed out - this woman did not in fact name the bear - the children did and also - the name is very wommonly used.

What I cannot let go is the comment from Paul in London:

"One thing that annoys me is that in general, all religions get along with each other, except islam. Almost all world conflicts/arguments seem to be caused by Islam versus another religion. "

May I bring to your attention Paul, on your own doorstep - Ireland? How many hundreds of years of civil war and bloodbaths does it take for you to recognise conflict in the name of religion - the Christian religion?

Sue, Midlands,

Recently I spent two and a half months in Iran, Syria , Dubai and Jordan. I was traveling alone and using public transport to get around. It was the highlight of all my travels. Wonderful countries and the kindest people I've ever encountered. However, I digress. Mohamed is the favourite name for boys and is no more offensive than Jesus is in Spain and Latin America. I'm not into conspiracy theories but there has to be more to this story than we are being told.

Venise Alstergren, Melbourne, Victoria 3142, AUSTRALIA

Rasputyn is a troll - obviously... (in the posting rather than the literal sense).In other words, Rasputyn is taking a deliberately extremist stance to provoke a reaction from those who are more or less moderate. He or she needn't have bothered. The fact that this woman is being threatened with grievous bodily harm for an offence so trifling it ought to have been dealt with by a meeting with the school headteacher is both extremist and reactionary enough. The British government should do everything in its power to prevent this cruelty.

Andy Sanderson, London,

Shun them!

When the world learns to shun these people and ignore the existance of their oil. We will all live in peace. Them in their stoneage, we in our technological world.

We do not need one world. We only need our enemies to small and remote, which they will take care of on their own.

Oh and if there are malcontents like Rasputin, the ticket back is all it takes. Ah Heaven on earth back there, Isn't it Rasputin?

Cyberbian , Rumsford, USA/CA

Rasputyn...no one has tried to impose anything on Sudan nor Islam, neither in reality nor here in conversation. But every country full of people who think Sudan is a backward country full of savage barbarian morons is free to stop sending it money. And I hope they do, at the very least. And just because people who respect peace don't respect Islam doesn't make them bigots...it just means they have actually read the Koran and listened to the proponents of Islam.

Moonbeam, Waterford, MI/USA

Mohammed, as a lover of art and imagination,will be pleased and proud that a sweet white lady called a cute little bear after him!
Britain has the power to stop this tomorrow!

robert, vancouver, bc

Shahir, you are just being silly now. Any group of people has the right to write letters of complaint, and then to not support a program or show -- this is how the business market works, and those people have free speech as well! Neither of these people you cite, however, suffered physical punishment for actions that small children, and NOT they themselves, committed. They paid a fine and/or took the "naughty" sign down. I mean really.

Nicole K, Astoria ,

Gillian Gibbons is guilty of a terrible crime in Sudan. Being white and defenceless. No one from the west should waste their time trying to help them. We should pull out of the continent and let them ethnically cleanse each other to their hearts content. They don't want us there so lets cut all ties and all aid and let them show us what a wonderful job of nation building they are truly capable of. Oh and Rasputin don't worry, If your parents get a divorce they'll still be brother and sister.

Nasty Celt, Calgary , Canada

As the children named the Teddy Bear, the children should be all given 40 lashes, a six-month jail sentence and a fine.

But as they are all children, the parents should be given the punishment instead that they never taught their children that you cannot name a teddy bear "Mohammed".

And every other parent who has ever scolded by name a child named "Mohammed" should also be given the same treatment as they have all disrespected the prophet.

I would be glad to deliver the lashes myself if the population of Sudan would care to line up.

Neil, Irvine, USA/CA

Nonesense, where I live Jesus is a common name and we don't have a national incident. Grow up.

Charley, El Paso, TX

I say that we tell the Sudanese that either they release this woman immediately, and pay for a ticket home to Britain, or there'll be 10,000 paratroopers dropped into Khartoum with orders to rescue her within the next 48 hours...

John Doe, Small Town, USA

she is not guilty.she named it faris but the 20 pupils named it muhammad.sudan should release her without condition.

some religions take blapshemy quite serious including christian, judaism and buddhist.

but in this case,she is just innnocent.

shair, hampshire, UK

To Follower of Christ (DUBIOUS), Huntsville AL:

The fundamental problem Sudan faces is that Sharia is not a legitimate form of a modern legal code which adequately protects fundamental, inalienable human rights. The United Nations should adopt a resolution declaring Sharia an affront to Humanity and its practice a de facto violation of fundamental human rights. It then should issue a resolution condemning the practice of Sharia among UN member nations and call for its proscription. Any nation later found continuing to practice Sharia, in any form at any governmental level, should be suspended from participation in the UN and face the possibility of economic sanctions and trade embargoes. Yes, even on Saudi Arabia.

Moral maxims do exist in this world, and some cultures do indeed engage in practices which are indeed at odds with these maxims at best, downright barbaric at worst. Sharia falls into the latter distinction.

As a supposed Christian, you should be more concerned.

Justin, Athens, GA, USA

These so called Members of the Sudanese Assembly of the Ulemas are fakes, imposter's of Islam! Using religion for their own selfish political gains and not to mention what they steal from the people of Sudan...money, dignity, life. GOD forgive them.

Sergej, Ridgewood, USA/NJ

I'm sorry, but I find this 'story of outrage' a bit ludicrous, in light of the fact that 21 years of war between the Muslim north and Christian and animist south have killed at least two million Sudanese and have displaced millions more.
Please tell me just HOW the prophet Mohammed was defamed by children naming a teddy bear. I would hope that he might have chuckled a bit and smiled at the childrens' innocence.
As I grow older, I despair at the apparent inability for humanity to live in peace. BOTH the Prophet and Jesus Christ counselled for peace, did they not? Let us try to live as they would have us live -- in peace.

Jim Harris, Angola, Indiana USA

It would appear that we , as humans beings are fundementally incapable of being spiritual and competitive simultaneously.
The sooner we realise this the better.
Once we learn to accept, respect and profit from our differences we could evolve in a constructive journey again instead staring into this ecological & ideological mess.

Rob Mc Hardy, Paris, France

The sooner religion as a whole is outlawed, the sooner the world can lose this controlling foolishness.

One thing that annoys me is that in general, all religions get along with each other, except islam. Almost all world conflicts/arguments seem to be caused by Islam versus another religion. Why was it when India gained independence, it was split into Pakistan and Bangladesh for the Muslims, then all the other religions get along fine in India, why is there always this integration problem between islam and other faiths? It just shows how backwards and hypocritical it is.

This religion of apparent peace and tolerance (so they try and say) is being anything but!

Paul, London,

Ridiculous - you try and bring illumination to these people, and this is what you get. Is this what Tony Blair meant by the enrichment that follows from multi-culturalism? I’d rather remain a culturally impoverished post-Enlightenment European, thanks.

John Stitch, London,

This issue has nothing to do with Sudan but all to do with Islam. Ms Gibbon is naive in the extreme, just like the reported comments of Louise Ellman MP and no doubt both are of the liberal-left persuasion and ultra PC.

Who pray are the outraged politicians, clerics, leaders of the Muslim comminity? The usual suspects no doubt! As for Mohd. A. Bari's comments "appalled and defies common sense" Since when did Islam concern itself with common sense? But then we all know where is loyalties lie.

Ross Logie, Jakarta, Indonesia

I can't believe these bigoted comments! White people don't have the right to go into somebody else's county and impose "their" understanding of free speech. While I hope that Ms. Gibbons is sent home (to the UK), without having to suffer pain, it seems to me that she should have been given an orientation into Muslim culture "before" taking the assignment. I don't care how much "aid" the UK is giving to Sudan, people are still entitled to their dignity. Wake up white people! The whole world is "not" Europe or America--al hamdu Allah.

Follower of Christ, Huntsville, Alabama

I thought this incident reflects a hardening stance on interpreting Islamic law in a medieval and backward fashion. All such corporal punishment should be outlawed throughout the world.

Any amputations as punishments or the death penalty are a relic of medieval and backward world - so what if Europe and other places had these punishments - at least they have developed not humanitarian ways.

This sort of incident unites consensus against Muslims generally and Islam as a religion. If these things carry on, Islam is really in danger as a faith.

I would support much tougher legislation on curtailing 'Islamic' backward practices in the UK and Muslim exceptionalism. rules in the UK. Compromise should be a two-way process.

Why do we have Muslim Council of Britain and Ramadan Foundation - both fairly extreme groups with 'Islamist' and 'Hamas' leanings - speaking up for Muslims? Are there no moderate Muslims left in the UK? Let the silent majority speak.

A Singh, London, UK

While ignorance of the law is not an excuse, as Rasputyn commented, it is very difficult for me to view a justice system as a system delivering justice when intent has little bearing on the penalty or charge. While some may say the Sudanese can make and live by whatever laws they decide, they must also say the same is true for the rest of the world. The Sudanese government is being appealed to diplomatically and publicly through world opinion. How is this imposing "our" laws on Sudan? Imposing sanctions, recalling diplomats, withholding financial aid are all rights of any nation in our world community and they do not infringe on the sovereignty of other nations.

As for the reaction against this teacher in Sudan, is there such a big difference in the teachings of Islam that the Muslim Council in Britain is itself appalled by this?

Sudan will limit the human resources available to them from among the world community, which they can little afford. So there are always consequences.

Tom, Milwaukee, US

They law of the land was broken. Whether she realised she had done wrong or not is not an issue. When people from foreign countries break laws in our country we scream out for them to be punished to the full extent of our laws while crying that ignorance of the rules is no excuse.
I agree that the punishment for her crime may be harsh by our rules, and I do feel sorry for her and I pity her as it would be a mistake that I too could easily have made. I would ask that the authorities be lenient but I certainly would not demand it and if they are not I see no reason to create a political incident because of it.

A Robertson, Cornwall, UK

I have a proposal in this matter. I hereby volunteer to take 45 lashes in place of Gillian Gibbons. Call it a good deed. The Sudanese will like that because it is a net increase in the violence they can dish out. Irresistable. Gibbons is spared the pain. I don't care, I have nothing to do that day anyway. Only one thing I can not help with. I can not make the Sudanese look anything but stupid. We all have our own limitations.

F. Dafoe, Calgary, Canada

Just to chime in with all the other folks who've called Rasputyn out on his idiocy: dude, grow up and be a rational human being.
This involves: empathy, understanding, tolerance, a sense of humour, well, the list goes on, but in general "not being a tool" is the main gist of it.

Peace.

Dave, Lancs,

As a Muslim, I don't know how naming a teddy bear Mohammed is insulting Islam. This is pure ridiculus.

I am guessing there something she said to the Teddy bear or something.

Rakib, Dhaka, Bangladesh

'Defies common sense' - exactly! Millions of people who are Muslims call themselves Muhammed - they are not worthy either - mere mortals - not the Great and Final Messenger -are they not insulting the prophet? This man is treated like a demi-god and this religion has far too many followers with no common sense whatsoever! Britain should do everything in its power to prevent harm to this unfortunate teacher.

Julie Ann Hilton, George Town, Cayman Islands

We are such a politically-correct society that we can't call a spade a spade. This isn't about religion, this is about oppressing and controling women. That we even debate their view is preposterous. This is like debating the finer points of Hitlers regime.

Larry, Everett, Washington

I agree with what others have posted (apart from Rasputyn, of course). I often wonder whether religious radicalism has anything to do with an underlying lack of confidence in one's beliefs.

markchina, Beijing,

This should be a wake up call for all non-muslims in Sudan to get out while they can. They are obviously not wanted. This woman's life is in danger now.

john p , st. louis , missouri

Alright, maybe she could get the class to rename the teddy Jesus!

I'm sure that would be received much better by the Islamic Sudanese.

M. horne, Calgary,

In 2005 Marithé and François Girbaud's parodied Leonardo's religious painting The Last Supper in a publicity poster. The Catholic church initiated a controversial lawsuit against the Girbauds, sparking a polemic concerning freedom of expression and blasphemy. The judge qualified the poster as "an insult to Christians."

In 2004, Jesus Dress Up fridge magnets, which depicts a cartoon crucified Jesus in tighty-whities and can be dressed in Satan pajamas, sparked national controversy at an Urban Outfitters receiving more than 250,000 complaints after being featured on MSNBC. ..an activism group called Laptop Lobbyists alerted the artist's web-hosting company and succeeded in shutting down the Jesus Dress Up web site.

Christian Voice says the show is deliberately offensive and provocative to Christians.

The BBC received more than 60,000 complaints.More than 7,940 people complained to the media regulator Ofcom... followed by a further 8,860

shair, hampshire, UK

As an atheist, I am both amused and disgusted by this insanity. In an age of science, there can be no logical reason why a large portion of the world still believes in some version of a sky fairy. There is no proof of any deity despite thousands of years of opportunity.
It also surprises me that an omnipotent and omniscient being or one of its alleged minions needs "protecting" from some lowly mortal. If anything, it sounds more like the petty, capricious nature of a human being.
Anyway, I am aged 52 and I am glad that I will dead by the time two of the most militant religions stuff this planet and take it back to the stone age, if indeed, any humans survive to use stone implements.
Judaism (through its puppets, the Christian democracies) and the theological Islamic nations are on a collision cause; all this for some fairy they cannot see, touch, feel, smell, sense or have any evidence whatsoever of existence.
Isn't it sad that 'nutjobs' control this planet?

Frank Collins, Port Melbourne, Australia

It highlights the nonsense of rediculous religious beliefs.
Normally they can be ignored democratically, obviously in Sudan they can't.
Don't go there.

kgb, Smethwick, UK

Once again an example of religious fanaticism gone totally out of control. Inciting hatred is just about everything Islam seems to be these days and if they really believe that this poor woman was just joining in with their usual program then why is she being condemned for it......?
It would be a welcome change if this religion started "inciting" love, compassion, tolerance or even just a bit of understanding and empathy.....some little chance of that it seems....!
Mind you other popular religions also had their moments in history when they too behaved in a similar fashion so I guess the only ones who are blameless are those who do not identify with any religion at all....like me for instance.Believing in any God seems to be a profoundly empty experience when viewed historically and when one adds up all the misery created by these religious beliefs I think it far outweighs any kind spiritual solace that one might get out of it.

Appalled, Crested Butte, USA

By these criteria, anyone who names their son Mohammmed should be flogged!

Ian, North Tamborine, Australia

If she had said no to these children do you not think she would not still be in Jail for insulting Mohamed by refusing to name the teddy Mohamed.

Rasputyn, Chicago, USA, we Brits know all to well the ways of the World but just want the whole world to be a safe & free place for all.

But as long as people like you are about what chance has anyone got?

Mr. Ladeali B Lturenini, Esandorink,

Unfortunately, the stone age is still with us, well and alive in religious society everywhere.

Had the roles been somewhat reversed and a Muslim teaching US children decided to name some inanimate object "Jesus", you can bet some group of Christians would want them prosecuted.

I'm in no way condoning what is being done to this teacher as these Muslims are just as idiotic as any radical Christian.

Disgusting how many injustices occur everyday due to people who can't think for themselves and decide to let some fairytale direct their lives.

HateHeals, Denver, Colorado

And I thought only 12 year olds baited adults with contrary foolishness, though it is possible, maybe evan likely that rasputyn is only 12. Since in my few years in the middle east I have met many mohameds most if not all of whom would blush at this effort to gain headlines on such a blatantly outrageously fabricated pretext. And since I am pretty certain no western nation would indict anybody for naming a teddy bear, jesus, abraham, budha etc I can only assume rasputyn is still catching up on his/her education.

Fred, ventura ,

Rasputyn; it was the muslim children that named the bear Mohammed.....not the teacher.

Mohammed, Birmingham, UK

ahh.. the religion of peace exhibits its tolerance once again in Sudan. those peace loving sudanese..

bill, London,

Mr Rasputyn,
There is a world of difference between insulting someone (free speech) and threatening someone (a crime). Learn the difference and learn to live with (and possibly love, as God intends) your neighbors.

Don, Toledo, Ohio

Dear Rasputyn

According to the Islamic Society in the UK, it is not against Islam to name a teddy bear after a prophet. In fact, the Islamic Society in the UK sells them to Muslims. You can get Adam the Prayer Bear from them. Adam is a prophet. Other Muslim Councils around the world have also said the same thing.

If the Muslims can't even decide on this, then how are the rest of us supposed to know - I would love to hear your explanation.

Even the parents of the school cannot agree on this.

Cat, Bedford, UK

And we thought the stone age was behind us.... Where do these people come from?

Freedom isn't Free!!!

nickbush, hillsborough, US/NJ

“There was clearly no intention on the part of the teacher to deliberately insult the Islamic faith,” said Dr Abdul Bari.

Someone should ask Dr Bari if flogging by state authorities is the appropriate response even if someone is deliberately insulting the Islamic faith.

Jeff, Bangor, Maine

ah silly me and I thought that we only had "ugly Americans" Don't you Brits know (having been a has been...with the Sun never setting on the british empire", blah blah...) that you are judged according to the laws of the country in which you break them??? Shame on you imposing your laws on others. And just by the way, let's not get into the "free speech" issue. I am sure if someone verbally threatened one of your leaders you would nail him/her! (it works that around the world! Freedom of speech ends when you step on someone else's toes. Insulting anyone's most important beliefs, is just not on! Grow up and learn some manners, and above all, learn how to live with "them naked savages and furriners."

Rasputyn, Chicago, USA

Inflexibility, you cant insult what you dont understand and here we have someone helping these people and suffering beacuse she named a teddy bear after one of the children. Without the required knowledge of teh Sudan law its that simple. She obviously was not briefed at all on the sensitivities of these people. Anyone travelling to countries where cultural sensitivities are so severe that they can create a danger need to be briefed as part of the visa process.

G. Holleran, Auckland, New Zealand

if anything could inflame a mild mannered man of 50 yrs of age, it's this nonesence.

We provide huge amounts of aid one way or another to Sudan. A teddy bear is a teddy bear. It is not a grisley bear or a polar bear or a black bear. It is not from the pig family, nor is a teddy bear anything more than a love object for children.

If we reacted in the way Sudan has reacted, we would atom bomb Sudan, round up all their ex-pats in the UK, kill them and that would be the end of it. However we are not Sudan, so we wont.

The Sudanese representative on BBC Paxman Wednesday night was a child himself. He totally failed to see the point.

OK, deport the teacher from Sudan if you feel strongly, but corporal punishment, imprisonment; I'm afraid the Sudanese need to get a life.

My tolerance for ignorant, uneducated religeious zealots of any flavour is at an end. Sort your house out children; you'll never get my dollar in aid until you do.

Children ruled by despots, hypocrites, and the currupt.

Simon Scott, Preston, UK

I'd like to now hear someone say, "Islam is a peace loving religion."

outraged, Bangor, USA

Muhammad or variations is the most popular or common name in the world. The name Muhammed means one worthy of praise. This name rightly belongs to the Prophet Muhammed. The millions who have this name since may or may not live up to that name. If not should they be punished or be required to change their name to something that represents their weak behavior? It is safe to say that there are many immigrants in the United States that own and operate liquor stores and sell forbidden food and materials that are named Muhammad. If there are those who would whip a school teacher and not her students who gave the Teddy bear the name perhaps they could tell us why. Let us address those who wear the name Muhammed and disgrace it with their behavior and life style be whipped first if you are serious.

Fareed H. Ansari, Jacksonville, Florida