| FrontPageMag.com | Articles By Robert Spencer | Articles By Hugh Fitzgerald | Books | Islam 101 | Qur'an Blog | Robert Spencer Bio |  |
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
And so Muhammad Teddy Bear Madness draws to a close, as international attention focused on the madness of Islamic supremacist fanatics once again causes them to back down. Unfortunately, however, the principles by which Gillian Gibbons was arrested and imprisoned in the first place still remain.
"Sudan president pardons British teacher," by Alfred de Montesquiou for Associated Press:
KHARTOUM, Sudan - Sudan's president on Monday pardoned a British teacher jailed here for allowing her students to name a teddy bear Muhammad — putting an end to a case that has outraged Britons and Muslims around the world.The teacher, Gillian Gibbons, said she did not intend to offend anyone and had great respect for Islam.
And what if she didn't? What if she had intended to offend them? Would it then be justified to imprison her, lash her, execute her?
Sudanese officials said she would be released later Monday, the same day two Muslim British politicians met with President Omar al-Bashir to seek the pardon."The president has told us he has already signed the papers for her pardon," Lord Nazir Ahmed, who met al-Bashir along with Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, a fellow representative from Britain's House of Lords, told reporters afterward.
[...]
In a written statement released by the presidential palace and read by Warsi to reporters, 54-year-old Gibbons said she was sorry if she caused any "distress."
"I have a great respect for the Islamic religion and would not knowingly offend anyone," Gibbons said in the statement. "I am looking forward to seeing my family and friends, but I am very sorry that I will be unable to return to Sudan."
In Britain, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was delighted by news.
"Common sense has prevailed," Brown said in a statement.
During her trial, the weeping teacher said she had intended no harm....
I'm not so sure, Gordon. Even if she had meant harm, you and all Western leaders should have been standing up for her. The idea that one may legitimately be imprisoned, or lashed, or even killed for poking fun at someone still remains. Do you understand how this threatens the foundation of free society? Once you declare one group off-limits for critical examination, once you declare that these people -- whoever they may be -- must at all costs not be offended, or if they are they're perfectly within their rights to stone, or lash, or imprison, or kill the offender, then you have destroyed one of the foundations for free inquiry. In a free society, people with differing opinions live together in harmony, agreeing not to kill one another if their neighbor's opinions offend them. If offensive speech had been prohibited in the 1770s, there would be no United States of America, and that is one of the reasons for the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Whenever offensive speech is prohibited, the tyrant's power is solidified. No less in this case, although the tyrant in question is of a different kind.
Sudan's ambassador in London, Khalid al-Mubarak, said he was "overjoyed" by the news."She is a teacher who went to teach our children English and she has helped a great deal and I am very grateful," al-Mubarak said. "What has happened was a cultural misunderstanding, a minor one, and I hope she, her family and the British people won't be affected by what has happened."
No, sir, not a minor one at all. The implications of it, in fact, couldn't be more far-reaching.
Posted by Robert at December 3, 2007 7:14 AM
Print this entry
| Email this entry
| Digg this
| del.icio.us
|
...just wait until a teacher moving about in the classroom, stubs her toe on the table leg and she exclaims..."Jesus Christ!...."...
Posted by: exsgtbrown![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jihadwatch.org/nav-commenters.gif)
at December 3, 2007 7:33 AM
Sheikh Abdul-Jalil al-Karuri, the imam of Abu-Shahid mosque and an adviser to President el-Bashir of Sudan on cultural and religious matters, said that he had told his faithful that 15 days was an insufficient punishment for such a grave offence. “This happened on September 15 at the start of Ramadan, making it even more offensive,” he said.
What a ludicrous to think that the late great religion of Islam is being undone by a Teddy Bear. You oh Sheikh Abdul-Jalil al-Karuri have made Islam the laughing stock of the world. You tried to pull off the Fools Gambit in your attempt to divert attention from Dufar, and sir, you were caught, “Check Mate”! Not only have you made yourself the court Jester of the world, you have dragged the other Islamofacist out of their holes to stand beside you.
at December 3, 2007 7:53 AM
A minor cultural misunderstanding? I'd hate to see what a major one brings!
Posted by: ISLAMSFORLOSERS at December 3, 2007 7:56 AM
Don't be surprised if this is pointed out as an example of "tolerance" and "compassion" on the part of Muslims. When a kidnapper frees or declines to murder his victim, that does not make him a good guy. He still committed a brutal offense - that it could have been far worse does not make what happened OK. This poor woman should sue if possible. She (and all of us too) is a crime victim here - a crime committed by the government of Sudan
Posted by: BunrattyBill at December 3, 2007 8:08 AM
"Even if she had meant harm, you and all Western leaders should have been standing up for her. The idea that one may legitimately be imprisoned, or lashed, or even killed for poking fun at someone still remains. Do you understand how this threatens the foundation of free society"?-Robert
I would agree with you if this had occurred in a free society (US, Britain, e.g.), but the point is that it occurred in a place of great danger to human liberty. I'm certain that if you were in authority (Congress, president, etc.) you would have exercised great caution in saying anything while she is in prison. Can you imagine how these wack-jobs would have reacted to such criticism? They would lynched her. I think quiet diplomacy was the wise course in this matter.
Don't think for a moment that this idiocy has not made an impression on the public. The infantile nature of this reaction to naming a Teddy Bear after Muhammad and the appalling hysteria of Muslims has left a very deep impression. This one is memorable. Folks have taken notice.
Posted by: Frank at December 3, 2007 8:47 AM
Sudanese officials said she would be released later Monday, the same day two Muslim British politicians met with President Omar al-Bashir to seek the pardon.
"The president has told us he has already signed the papers for her pardon," Lord Nazir Ahmed, who met al-Bashir along with Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, a fellow representative from Britain's House of Lords, told reporters afterward.
That's what sticks in my craw, the fact that muslim politicians were instrumental in obtaining her release. So now they're the heroes.
Posted by: ImNoDhimmi at December 3, 2007 8:50 AM
I'm afraid I don't agree with Frank.
The leaders of the free world cannot allow Muslims to reduce us to silence every time they take a hostage, for fear we might cause their death. That is the epitome of backward thinking.
If all the extremists have to do to silence their enemies is to take a hostage, they will no doubt take many, many more.
When our ancestors said, "Give me liberty, or give me death!" it was not an idle phrase. If we choose our lives over our freedom, we will lose our freedom and our lives will henceforth be worthless.
If our "values" are worth no sacrifice, perhaps they are themselves worthless and we deserve to be slaves.
at December 3, 2007 8:59 AM
"I'm not so sure, Gordon. Even if she had meant harm, you and all Western leaders should have been standing up for her."
Don't hold your breath.
Posted by: RoobartSbunsar at December 3, 2007 9:01 AM
When our ancestors said, "Give me liberty, or give me death!" it was not an idle phrase. If we choose our lives over our freedom, we will lose our freedom and our lives will henceforth be worthless.
If our "values" are worth no sacrifice, perhaps they are themselves worthless and we deserve to be slaves.
co-sign.
Posted by: Abu Allah at December 3, 2007 9:06 AM
ImNoDhimmi wrote: >> That's what sticks in my craw, the fact that muslim politicians were instrumental in obtaining her release. So now they're the heroes.
On the other side of the coin, it shows how the "moderate" muslims work hand-in-glove with the overt fanatics. They both need eachother for the Ummah to survive. But people can spot this a mile off, showing up the islamic charade for what it is.
The other thing I believe is that the dhimmi governments and spokespeople who on the surface gush with platitudes especially concerning "respect for islam" etc. are quite happy that sites like this are saying what they are thinking, but for practical reasons, cannot say.
Posted by: Infidel419 at December 3, 2007 9:06 AM
"She is a teacher who went to teach our children English and she has helped a great deal and I am very grateful," al-Mubarak said.
Yes, so our silent but sure assault by sheer numbers can continue in Great Britain unabated. She was useful to us.
These childish Islamic hissy-fits only serve to underlie the shaky foundation of this "faith," built on paranoia, intellectual bankruptcy, blind servitude, and all manner of coercion both physical and psychological.
Sadly, though, where reason is not nourished and defended, it works. People can easily be led like animals and the entire Islamist movement is perfectly structured to capitalize on that weakness.
Posted by: JohnAdams at December 3, 2007 9:06 AM
ImNoDhimmi-
With due respect, I don't think they look like heroes. They look like clowns meeting clowns to release some slightly over-nourished lady who teaches little kids in a room with Teddy Bears. The bullying, the mindless nature of Islam, is there for all to see. If Protestant clergy or Catholic clergy went on a similar errand, they would be seen as clowns in a religion of clowns needing to release a tearful lady who named a Teddy Bear Jesus.
If the MPs are not demented, they feel shame and embarssment because of this. This hysteria has made a very deep impression on the public mind. They are not heroes because they went on a fools errand-and people know it.
Posted by: Frank at December 3, 2007 9:06 AM
"Common sense has prevailed," Brown said in a statement."
Is Brown serious? He could have at least said that justice has prevailed, or right has prevailed.
"common sense" suggest that it was all a big misunderstanding, and there was no moral issue involved"
It'd no wonder Muslims think their evil is good. No one will tell them otherwise.
Posted by: rational at December 3, 2007 9:14 AM
ImNoDhimmi
yep, they're heroes. but we 'aint see nothing yet! just wait when she lands and the muslim delegation go into muslim damage limitation over drive. gibbons and the muslim delegation will be paraded around every talk show and media event this month, talking about everything from how wonderful islam is, muslim reactions, an "innocent misunderstanding" and then how she has converted to islam and it would be good for britain.
get your sick buckets ready this is gonna be bad.
Posted by: leonthepigfarmer at December 3, 2007 9:24 AM
I wonder if the mob that was calling for this woman's death are now appeased by the pardon ruling? Or will they now be even more incensed that the government is bowing to western colonialist powers?
Is she any safer than she was a few days ago?
Posted by: Godefroi at December 3, 2007 9:26 AM
". . . putting an end to a case that has outraged Britons and Muslims around the world."
from the AP article
Oh? I saw plenty of pictures of Moslem rage. of thousands in the streets waving swords and demanding a lynching. But where were all these "outraged Britons"? I didn't see any pictures of thousands of Britons outside the Sudanese embassy in London, waving weapons and burning the Sudanese leaders in effigy and calling for the death of the Sudanese bigots. I guess British outrage takes a different form. Stiff upper lip or something.
at December 3, 2007 9:27 AM
"Don't think for a moment that this idiocy has not made an impression on the public. The infantile nature of this reaction to naming a Teddy Bear after Muhammad and the appalling hysteria of Muslims has left a very deep impression. This one is memorable. Folks have taken notice."
Including the many fools and idiots incapable of rational thought.
Take a quick look at the BBC's 'Have Your Say' comments section for examples of that:
http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=3883&edition=2&ttl=20071203141754
Posted by: PRCS at December 3, 2007 9:31 AM
What a remarkable display of magnanimity and tolerance.
Posted by: Cornelius at December 3, 2007 9:32 AM
ebonystone,
Especailly the British government. They just sat back and took it.
Posted by: Elric66 at December 3, 2007 9:34 AM
ppeter-
As long as this lady was in captivity, I believe caution was necessary because these sick people would have lynched her. This poor lady does not have a clue why this is happening to her. She's obviously a simple and probably good soul. They would have killed her. I have no doubt of it.
However, upon her release, Brown should use very strong language on the matter. He should call the matter demented (use that word) and clearly say that this was done by Muslims who believe a kindergarten school lady should be lashed for naming a Teddy Bear Muhammad. He should further tell Muslims not to waste their time telling unbelievers that the demented mobs did not represent Islam-and tell them to go tell the mobs that.
He should further say that common sense was never part of this matter and it never prevailed-from beginning to end. (In saying "common sense prevailed" Brown lies.). He should say he is grateful that this grotesque farce is concluded. That would be a truthful response.
Posted by: Frank at December 3, 2007 9:42 AM
prcs
you mean like this?
" The amount of people who have decided that Islam is an evil, oppressive religion is staggering. I'd like to bet that the main source these people have to thank for their views are the likes of the Sun. Islam is a tolerant, compassionate religion, with many of the same humanitarian views as Christianity and Judaism (respect, dignity etc.) The fact that an authoritative group choses to warp some teachings of a religion to fulfil its own needs should not cause a bad reflection of the religion. May I point out the Christian Crusades, witch hunts and the blind eye turned during the Holocaust?"
Posted by: leonthepigfarmer at December 3, 2007 9:43 AM
frank
"Brown should use very strong language on the matter."
dream on brother.
the only strong language he will use will be "this is an innocent misunderstanding" and "islam is a religion of peace".
at December 3, 2007 9:46 AM
leonthepigfarmer-
Unfortunately, you are right. Politicians are generally self-serving and most have perfected dissimulation.
This whole thing was a grotesque farce. Only if one made a comedy of this would it have some merit, but because of the seriousness here, it is demented. Everywhere we looked we saw this Teddy Bear and the counterpoint of a clueless kindergarten teacher facing demented mobs calling for her death, brandishing swords, their faces contorted in rage. The counterpoint here is memorable. It's not going to be forgotten. Not this one.
Posted by: Frank at December 3, 2007 10:04 AM
Leon-
We could make a fortune on this. Manufacture Teddy Bears (Vermont Teddy Bears) like the one we've seen for weeks (I can see him in my mind) and have him wear a shirt saying "My name is not Muhammad". The bear would sell like gangbusters.
Posted by: Frank at December 3, 2007 10:14 AM
"The teacher, Gillian Gibbons, said she did not intend to offend anyone and had great respect for Islam."
Maybe 40 lashes wasn't such a bad idea after all....
Posted by: alexon at December 3, 2007 10:55 AM
If SNL had done a sketch depicting the silliness of islamic "tolerance" they would have picked somthing like naming a teddy bear mohammed as the trigger.
As if the rioting over a few cartoons wasn't bad enough, this makes islam seem just plain silly.
Now that this lady is safe, I'm expecting a strong letter of condemnation to come out of the U.S. Congress or at least the U.N. Human Rights commission. /sarc
Posted by: walterc at December 3, 2007 11:37 AM
Does she get to take the Teddy Bear with her?
Posted by: profitsbeard at December 3, 2007 11:50 AM
As usual, Robert is neglecting to acknowledge that these oddballs demanding execution of the teacher are a tiny minority of the peace loving religion of Islam. He's not even covering the gigantic counterdemonstrations all over the world by all the Muslims calling for truly Islamic compassion and understanding.
Whaddaya mean, there weren't...? Islamophobe!
(Why wasn't I able to find anything on the CAIR site about this whole incident? Maybe they missed it in the news?)
Posted by: Karl Pov at December 3, 2007 12:24 PM
The president of Sudan may have pardoned her, but the Koran hasn't and it never will. She'd better be worried for the rest of her life anytime she's near one of the death cultists no matter where she's at in a given moment, especially since they just keep on coming like a tidal wave from cesspoolia.
Posted by: ISLAMSFORLOSERS at December 3, 2007 1:12 PM
http://www.historyplace.com/speeches/henry.htm
Gentlemen may cry, "Peace! Peace!" -- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!
Patrick Henry - March 23, 1775
Now that is a man. Time for the metrosexuals of the West to find their manhood.
Posted by: interestinconundrum at December 3, 2007 1:19 PM
I agree that the teacher will probably be all gooey with admiration for her captors. Yuck
Posted by: interestinconundrum at December 3, 2007 1:21 PM
In what year did the Supreme Court of the United States declare laws against blasphemy to be unconstitutional when they struck down a New York law ?
1952
Not so long ago that we also enforced such laws. And of course the enforcement of those laws only ceased because of the "judicial activist liberal judges"
Social conservatives were aghast !!!!
at December 3, 2007 2:48 PM
Those laws, Mr. Ryan, had fallen into disuse, if not general repeal, long before then; NO anguished outpouring of protests marked the official passing of pious antiquated laws, Mr. Ryan, if even a tear was shed or a lament heard from an isolated pulpit or two.
Who, besides yourself, do you think you're fooling here, Mr. Ryan? Your lame attempt at moral equivalence is REALLY PATHETIC. So I ask you, do you have the sight to see creeping Sharia masked as tolerance, or the SPINE to resist incremental jihad and the larger plans of the Ikhwan in America? Or do you just want a stick to beat the "Relgious Right" with? We are a very diverse group of thinking persons here, so go take your da'wa and taqiyya somewhere else, please.
Posted by: John C at December 3, 2007 7:24 PM
john ryan,
Please understand, I did not mean to be harsh or abusive to you in a personal way; for what I know, you may be among the finest of people. but that is NOT my point; thus, the pointed remarks.
Posted by: John C at December 3, 2007 7:33 PM
Which is to say, I do not mean to give unnecessary offense.
Posted by: John C at December 3, 2007 7:39 PM
Too bad, though, that Sudan's president didn't pardon the bear; perhaps, then, a petition should be taken up for the bear's release. (You all expected somebody to say something like that--still, I couldn't resist.)
Posted by: John C at December 3, 2007 7:46 PM
(Note: The Comments section is provided in the interests of free speech only. It is mostly unmoderated, but comments that are off-topic, offensive, slanderous, or otherwise annoying stand a chance of being deleted. The fact that any comment remains on the site IN NO WAY constitutes an endorsement by Jihad Watch or Dhimmi Watch, or by Robert Spencer or any other Jihad Watch or Dhimmi Watch writer, of any view expressed, fact alleged, or link provided in that comment.)