Press Release

27th November 2007

TEDDY BEAR MADNESS - A POLITICAL FOOTBALL

The Islamic Society of Britain has today written to the Sudanese Ambassador in London, His Excellency Omer Mohamed Ahmed Siddig, demanding the immediate release of Gillian Gibbons.  

How would the Prophet Muhammad himself have reacted to a classroom of children wanting to name a teddy used for their learning in his honour? He would have been touched and would probably have laughed. Such was his gentle and pragmatic character.

Yet it is in his name, supposedly, that an ordinary school teacher has been arrested and, if reports are correct, faces a trial, all for an innocent and well meaning classroom exercise – outrageous! 20 classroom children out of 23 chose the name Muhammad, the most popular name in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records, a name that means ‘one worthy of praise’. They clearly hold the name dearly.  

Are the Sudanese authorities using the case as a political football? In whose name are they acting and, even by their own laws, where is the offence? To quote the question on everyone’s mind, what planet are they on?

Gillian Gibbons should be released immediately, apologised to and compensated. The Islamic Society of Britain will do what it can to ensure her immediate release, if she is not released today.

Islamic Society of Britain

Note: The Islamic Society of Britain produced an educational teddy, called Adam the Prayer Bear, in 2004. It was a runaway success with parents. Adam is the name of the God’s first prophet according to Islamic teachings.    

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