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Thousands of Islamic fanatics wielding knives demand jailed teddy bear teacher is executed
Last updated at 17:07pm on 30.11.07Thousands of Islamic fanatics wielding clubs and knives are marching through the streets of Khartoum demanding the execution of teddy bear teacher Gillian Gibbons.
As the mother-of-two started a 15-day prison term, protestors left mosques across the Sudanese capital to denounce the "lenient verdict" and call for the death penalty.
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Armed and angry: Protesters march through Khartoum demanding that Gillian Gibbons is executed
Thousands of angry protesters have gathered Martyr's Square in the Sudanese capital
Demonstration: Protestors set fire to a photograph of Gillian Gibbons
The mob descended on Matyrs Square, which is in front of the presidential palace, many arriving in pick-up trucks with loudspeakers blaring messages condemning Miss Gibbons.
Hundreds of riot police had been deployed but they made no attempt to disrupt the rally.
"Shame, shame on the U.K.," protesters chanted," as they called for Miss Gibbons' execution, saying, "No tolerance: Execution," and "Kill her, kill her by firing squad."
Others shouted: "Those who insult the Prophet of Islam should be punished with bullets."
Many were brandishing pictures of the teacher - which some symbolically burnt.
Back in the UK, Miss Gibbon's distraught daughter Jessica had left a simple message on her mother's MySpace web page saying "I love you mum xxxxxx"
She also lists Miss Gibbon's as one of her heroes.
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Anger: A demonstrator brandishes a paper bearing Gillian Gibbons' photograph
Riot shields: But police did nothing to break up demonstrators
The chaotic scenes in Sudan followed escalating international tensions after a judge jailed Miss Gibbons, who allowed her pupils to call a teddy bear Mohammed, yesterday.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has led mounting criticism of Sudan following her conviction for insulting Islam.
Rowan Williams launched a stinging attack on the decision, branding it "self-destructive absurdity".
He said: "I can't see any justification for this at all. I think this is an absurdly disproportionate response to what is at worst a cultural faux pas.
Death penalty: Fanatics have called for British teacher Gillian Gibbons to be shot
"I think that it has done the Sudanese government no credit whatever to allow this prosecution to proceed.
"What I see in this situation is a sort of primitivist and crude application of the law in a spirit of real insensitivity and self-destructive absurdity."
Mother-of-two Miss Gibbons, 54, escaped a flogging but must now endure 15 days in a notorious Sudan jail.
She will be incarcerated at the squalid Omdurman women's prison in Khartoum, which is massively overcrowded and infested with mosquitoes.
British Muslim leaders have also criticised the jail sentence.
Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain branded the court decision a "gross over-reaction from Sudanese authorities".
He said: "This case should have required only simple common sense to resolve. It is unfortunate that the Sudanese authorities were found wanting in this most basic of qualities.
"Gillian should never have been arrested, let alone charged and convicted of committing a crime. We hope that Gillian will be able to return home without much further delay."
"The sentence is a mockery of justice and we consider Gillian to be a prisoner of conscience," Mike Blakemore, of Amnesty International, added.
Distraught: Gillian Gibbons' daughter Jessica
"It is tokenism by the Sudanese government. If they had really felt she had insulted Islam, they would have sentenced her to much longer. It seems they are scoring points.
"Our government dithered over intervening and this is what happens. We should have been a lot tougher, a lot sooner."
Miss Gibbons, from Liverpool, was said to be "stunned" by the sentence imposed for insulting Islam - after which she will be deported from Sudan.
Last night, her conviction and punishment were furiously condemned and the Foreign Office was criticised for not fighting her case more forcefully.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband called in the Sudanese ambassador for the second time in hours last night to protest over the verdict. He said: "We are extremely disappointed that the charges were not dismissed.
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On trial: Miss Gibbons in the dock flanked by police officers
Anger: Archbishop Rowan Williams
"Our clear view is that this is an innocent misunderstanding by a dedicated teacher. Our priority now is to ensure Mrs Gibbons' welfare and wellbeing."
Mrs Gibbons's MP, Louise Ellman, said: "I do realise that the sentence could have been harder, but 15 days in a jail in Sudan could be very, very harsh.
"I think there's distress and anger and I can't see much positive that has come from this. The sentence could have been harsher, but that's not exactly a positive thing at all."
The Omdurman prison where Mrs Gibbon will be locked up was built for 200, but now houses 1,200 women and 300 children, most of the adults jailed for illegally brewing alcohol.
Last night, her son John said the family are struggling to take in the news of her punishment. "It's really difficult at the moment, my head is everywhere," the 25-year-old marketing consultant added.
Sudanese ambassador Omer Mohamed Ahmed Siddig leaves the Foreign Office after meeting David Miliband
"I don't want the verdict to lead to any anti feeling towards Muslims. Everyone has been very nice, but one of my fears, and I imagine my mother's also, will be that this results in any sort of resentment towards Muslim people."
He is hoping to visit his mother in jail and urged the Foreign Office to help speed up the visa process.
The Muslim Council of Britain called the sentence completely unjustified.
"I'm utterly disappointed with this decision," said the council's Ibrahim Mogra. "We have been calling on the Sudanese authorities to show leniency, that this was a case of an innocent oversight, a misunderstanding, and there was no need for this to be escalated."
The verdict came at the end of a day of drama and farce in Khartoum that saw British diplomats initially prevented from entering the court.
Defence lawyers said they would appeal. But with the Sudan authorities planning a major security operation today amid expected protests by hardline Islamic leaders urging tougher sentencing, there were fears the tactic could backfire.
British officials said they would be pressing for a reduction in sentence, and the five days Mrs Gibbons has already spent in custody might count against the 15 to be served.
The Sudanese authorities were also said to have started preparing deportation documents for this weekend, leading to speculation she could be freed as early as tomorrow.
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Storm: Sudan has claimed Gillian Gibbon's decision to let her class call a teddy bear Mohammed is an insult to Islam (file picture)
Ali Mohammed Ajab, a member of her defence team, described the verdict as "very unfair".
He said: "She apologised to the court - not that she had done something wrong - but said she was simply doing her job and did not mean any harm."
Sudan's top Muslim clerics had pressed their government to ensure the teacher was punished harshly, comparing her action to author Salman Rushdie's "blasphemies" against the Prophet.
Mrs Gibbons, a divorced mother-of-two, was arrested on Sunday and on Wednesday charged with insulting Islam, inciting hatred and showing contempt for religious beliefs.
It came after seven-year-old pupils chose to call a teddy bear Mohammed at the Unity High School in Khartoum, where she had worked since August.
During the court case behind closed doors yesterday it was revealed that the school's office assistant, Sara Khawad, had complained to the education authorities - leading to the teacher's arrest.
In a statement read to court, Mrs Gibbons tearfully stressed she had not meant to cause offence and pointed out that it had been her pupils who had chosen the name.
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Kidnap threat: Security was heavy outside the courthouse yesterday for Mrs Gibbons' appearance
There were four prosecution witnesses, and several spoke up for the defence.
Isam Abu Hasabu, chairman of Unity High School's parent-teacher association, said: "The whole thing boiled down to a cultural misunderstanding. In our culture, we don't know the bear as a cuddly symbol of mercy."
Other teachers said many parents had written to the school offering support.
The school's Sudanese director, Robert Boulos, described Mrs Gibbons as "a marvellous teacher", adding: "She was even training our other primary teachers and is an asset to the school.'"
Reader views (50)
...not that I'm a fan of G W Bush - but I'm pretty sure he would have done a lot more if Gillian Gibbon was an American. I think Sudan needs to wake up and join the real world.
- Oscar, London, 30/11/2007 15:44
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Won earth is the assistance with this poor woman.
- Steve Evans, Malta, 30/11/2007 15:41
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She is in grave danger. With mobs about the prison is not safe. Who will take responsibility for her safety.
- Dirk, UK, 30/11/2007 14:56
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Once she's safely back, the government should retaliate. Doubling the cost of UK visas for Sudanese nationals would be a good start. Advising UK citizens not to visit Sudan would be another. Maybe chuck out a diplomat.
Moreover, one should bear in mind that Sudan is the country engaged in a near-genocide against its own citizens in Darfur. Governments like this like to create distractions, which this is.
- Nigel, London, 30/11/2007 14:50
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Does the word fanatics ring any bells?
- Jo, Canvey Island, 30/11/2007 14:45
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"Mr Miliband get a back bone. Stand up to these people. Cancel all aid programs and close the London offices down. You must show you have some bottle and stand up for this country and its people."
Wouldn't it be more sensible to wait until Miss Gibbons is out of the country and all other Sudan-based UK citizens are safe before taking aggressive action?
With thousands calling for her to be shot, absolutely the last thing we should be doing is deliberately making a bad situation far worse - not least because we overwhelmingly have the moral high ground at the moment.
- Michael, London, 30/11/2007 14:42
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Linda Tricker - what a stupid comment to make. In this world of ever-decreasing tolerance to those of different race and religion your remarks are offensive and ignorant.
This is about this poor woman put in a horrible situation and all you can do is make that kind of comment!
I do hope the government do something worthwhile (as well as positive) to help Miss Gibbon.
- Alexis, London and Prestwick, Scotland, 30/11/2007 14:36
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We are constantly being asked to show tolerance to Muslims who themselves are the most intolerant people on the face of the earth. Well gues what, they will get none from me. Stop sending aid to Sudan and just let them all kill each other or starve. I don't care which.
- No More, London, 30/11/2007 14:36
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Totally disgusting and what on the earth Sudanese fanatics trying to achieve?
Our Government should get her home and send the Sudanese ambassador back...
- Gee, Watford,UK, 30/11/2007 14:36
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What are you all talking about We have the very same laws in the United Kingdom "What do you think the Incitement to Religious Hatred Bills is, the United Kingdom have a Maximun of 7 years imprison if a person dear to say or do cause anyone religous groups to incite some sort of march or disadvantage, will hear this.
- Miss Vinice Cleary, London, 30/11/2007 14:34
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Presumably these are the moderate Islamists!
- Diane, London, 30/11/2007 14:34
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What an utter disgrace and bunch of barbaric idiots! This lady is in their country to educate their children and very obviously unintended to insult anyone - what an absolute mockery and example of what we face in the world today!
- Hayley Allum, Bucks, 30/11/2007 14:26
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I totally agree with every word Adam has said. Perhaps its people like Adam and others that have aired their opinions to start the ball rolling and make this governement see what is going on in this world.
- Chrissie, London, 30/11/2007 14:00
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This government won't do anything. Too busy organising cash from dodgy doners.
- Haskey, London SE1, 30/11/2007 13:38
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It seems the thing that is wrong is the Clerics being able to interpret the Koran how they see fit. This leads to this mass hysteria after Friday prayers when the Imams have rallied the congregation to their way of thinking and their interpretation of the holy book.
- Jon, Gloucestershire, 30/11/2007 13:15
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Let's not stop aid until she's out of there.
- Sara, Stroud, 30/11/2007 12:57
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It's good to see that the ambassador has got his priorities right, getting a personalised number plate for his limo - "SUD 1"!
I ask you...
- Andy, London, UK, 30/11/2007 12:46
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J Lamb, our spineless politicians are far too busy stabbing each other in the back to get involved in helping British citizens.
Sudan, if you want to remain in the dark ages, fine. But let us immediately withdraw all aid! It'll turn out, it's European money which has funded the prosecution ...
- Marianne, SW France, 30/11/2007 12:32
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Is Sudan able to say that no PERSON is called Muhammad? They should just deport the poor teacher and start counselling for the children that are also being dragged through this ridiculous mess - once again religious people fail to remember that they've made a personal choice to follow a religion - that doesn't make it absolute choice, it's a BELIEF, it's NOT FACT.
- Anon, England, 30/11/2007 12:20
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Cut off any aid paid through the Sudanese Govt. Close the embassy, sever diplomatic relations.
- Paul, London, 30/11/2007 12:18
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I agree with Adam, the trouble is this government is limp wristed and lilly livered that it will just bend over and offer its backside rather than actually doing anything.
- Rob, London, 30/11/2007 12:09
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What a load of rubbish, am totally disgusted with this. Our government better wake up to this fact and act on it.
- Sarah, London, 30/11/2007 10:50
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Why couldn't our Foreign Office get her out of there?! They really are useless. They have left an innocent woman to rot!
- Jk, London, 30/11/2007 10:45
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As long as a local person would have been found guilty and punished in the same way on the same information then this must be fair.
When we go abroad we must accept that there will be some articles the majority of prisoners were guilty of brewing alcohol at home. Beer and wine brewing is not illegal in the UK - should the Sudanese release these people as well?
- David Williams, Middlesex, UK, 30/11/2007 10:21
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I do hope that they have stationed an army unit to protect the prison, since the fundamentalists seem intent on getting their ultimate justice.
- Phil Jones, London, UK, 30/11/2007 10:06
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Gillian Gibbons chose to risk working in a country run by a notorious hard-line regime. She has undoubtedly been harshly treated by our own standards but she did break the law of the country and she has been relatively leniently punished.
To call for mass deportation, withdrawal of aid and suspension of diplomatic relations is naive at best and at worst simply an attempt to create religious conflict.
Fundamentalism exists in all religions. It will not be removed from the Muslim world by aggression especially by those in the West.
Gillian had obviously taken the commendable step of working with these people to learn and improve life for all. We should follow her example.
- Tom, London, 30/11/2007 09:43
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Interesting that this country can convict someone, chuck them in jail, prepare deportation papers and get them removed from the country immediately after their release.
That's better than the Home Office can manage. We should ask them for some tips, we seem woeful at it ourselves.
- Jk, London, UK, 30/11/2007 09:39
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Disgusting..
Let's cut all aid with immediate effect and encourage our Western Allies
to the do the same.
This will affect the normally relaxed British Christians attitude to the Muslim faith and will we be so tolerant to Muslims and their beliefs and way of life in future. I for one doubt it
- Roberta, London, 30/11/2007 09:29
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Mr Miliband get a back bone. Stand up to these people. Cancel all aid programs and close the London offices down. You must show you have some bottle and stand up for this country and its people.
- Ian Makin, Twickenham, 30/11/2007 08:50
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Disgusting and equally disgusting the British governments weak reaction, gone are the days when we were protected by our then proud government. Scots rule so what can we expect.
- Linda Tricker, Rimini, Italy, 30/11/2007 07:21
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Utterly disgraceful, I am shocked beyond words.
I am not a British citizen (I am Indian), but feel that all aid to Sudan should be cut by the UK and US. May she find the strength to put up with this farce till it ends.
- Srikanth, New York, USA, 30/11/2007 05:14
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Perhaps when the Sudan has flush toilets and electricity they could enter the modern world. Do they have the wheel yet?
- John P. Bursby, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, 30/11/2007 01:57
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I total agree with Adam from Harrow. This is an absolute disgrace. What planet are these people on? The British Government has failed her and Sudan is going to lose a dedicated teacher.
- Barbara Judson, Sydney, Australia, 30/11/2007 01:03
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We keep hearing reports about unreasonable, extreme treatment of people in Islamic countries. Islamic, societies which are democratic and pro-human rights seem to be thin on the ground; even moderate Islamic countries, regarded as friendly towards Britain, such as Jordan, Egypt or Kuwait are short on human rights and democracy.
Although, most Muslims resident in Britain condemn injustices and cruelties, British non-Muslims are influenced negatively towards Islam by the events. When coupled with statements by Islamic fundamentalists, and terrorist acts, the effect is fear of Islam gaining ascendancy in Britain.
Britain's success in absorbing immigrants from all over the world has been based on integration and eventual merging of ethnic groups. Unfortunately, religions generally inhibit inter-mixing and inter-marriage, and this is especially true of a stong, uncompromisong religion like Islam.
- Stan, Derby, UK, 30/11/2007 00:38
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I agree that this whole episode is disgraceful. All the Muslims I have talked to consider this to be unbelievably stupid and outrageous, a travesty which only serves to feed negative views of Islam.
- Gus Della-Porta, Cambridge, 30/11/2007 00:31
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When oh when will someone stand up with some backbone and do the right thing. Why oh why does this weak government neglect its responsibility to stand up for its citizens.
Show these people that we mean business and respond with some actions - what about our belief in justice. Once again it all gets washed in politics as we endlessly consider everyone else's point of view but never insist that they see ours.
This women has been abandoned by the British government - nothing less.
We should hang our heads in shame for letting it carry on. What's next?
- Martin, Victoria, Canada, 30/11/2007 00:27
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It is a terrible injustice.
- Doug, St. Louis, Missouri, USA, 30/11/2007 00:02
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I couldn't agree more with Adam from Harrow. It's about time the government grew a spine and stopped appeasing lunatics. In addition, if there is any aid (from the government or private charities) going to Sudan from this country, can it please be stopped?
- Sarah N., London, 29/11/2007 23:57
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Adam, well said, but knowing this spineless government that will not happen. Time for a change.
- David, London, UK, 29/11/2007 22:20
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I trust this means:
We instruct British nationals not to go to Sudan, Recall our Ambassador,
Send the Sudan Ambassador Back, and cancel all aid to Sudan.
Some hope from Mr Brown!.
- Gerry, Chatham, Kent, UK, 29/11/2007 22:20
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Good God (oops I better watch that else I might end up in court!) And they wonder why people have such views about the Muslim religion, this is simply daft!
- Gavin Hall, Maidstone, Kent, 29/11/2007 22:14
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Quite - if this is how they deal with petty matters, let them look after themselves and do without our aid.
- David Weston, UK, 29/11/2007 21:32
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15 days is not as bad as it could have been and thus a relief.
It's also very pleasing to see all UK Muslim groups stand up for her. All the Muslims I know are more angry than anyone else about this case. In a way I feel sorry for them as the protrayal is that 'Islam' did this when the facts are one of her colleagues reported her and the Sudanese legal system stitched her up.
It's all very sad.
- Alan Rex, London, England, 29/11/2007 21:29
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I agree with Adam, stop all aid NOW, we are so pathetically weak it nauseates me.
- Dave Bristol, Bristol, England, 29/11/2007 21:16
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I am shocked. Being a Muslim myself, I'm deeply ashamed, too! At the same time I strongly denounce the Sudanese, because I very well understand that the way the Sudanese (both general public and the government) have exploited the religion is totally against the spirit and teachings of Islam. More importantly, their handling of the issue has also been quite contrary to the utterly moderate and most tolerant 'way-of-life' not only outlined for the followers, but also strictly followed, personally, by a person not less than the Prophet Muhammad himself who always led by example. Shame on all such type of Muslims (as the Sudanese in the present case) who bring disrepute to the religion (Islam)!
- Nadeem Asghar, London, UK., 29/11/2007 21:05
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I am in total agreement with Adam, Harrow. We've chucked millions in aid to Sudan and this is how they repay us - outrageous treatment of a well-meaning and dedicated teacher who went to Sudan to only do good, and made an innocent mistake. She is not a Muslim, after all. This poor lady's family and children must be absolutely distraught. What has happened this week will change Gillian's life forever. I hope the person who reported her - the school secretary? - is reading this. Shame on you!
- Lisa, Tunbridge Wells, UK, 29/11/2007 21:03
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When are these gutless wonders of politicians going to get some backbone. You spineless nothings.
- J.Lamb, Lakewood, CO, 29/11/2007 20:11
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Regret to say that the case should be reconsidered according to Islamic teaching, which is love, peace, tolerance and brotherhood. Teacher is like mother/father.
I thing it is an innocent mistake/misunderstanding, every Mohammad is not considered to be Mohammad the Prophet. It is just indication of Muslim faith. There are millions of Mohammads around us. We should avoid the hue and cry on these issues, request the Sudan authorities to recondider this issue in broader sense.
The teaching profession is very respectable, she seems innocent, keeping in view her vast experience in this profession, she did not deliberately want to cause offence.
- Mohammad Amjad, Pakistan, 29/11/2007 19:55
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Total and utter disgrace.
- Hamo, London, UK, 29/11/2007 19:20
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I think it would be a good idea for the UK to express our disgust by stopping all aid to Sudan, recalling our ambassador and deporting all Sudanese who are in this country that have no residency rights.
No doubt this won't happen and our pathetic Govt. will do nothing but bow even further in appeasement to Islamic fundamentalism.
- Adam, Harrow, UK, 29/11/2007 19:11
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