Teddy teacher: ‘I’m fine, I’m grateful for the support’ Jailed British woman holding up well despite mob calls for her execution THE BRITISH teacher serving a 15-day sentence in Sudan for insulting Islam last night reassured her family that she is safe and being well looked after.
In a statement Gillian Gibbons, who was jailed by a Sudanese court last Thursday, made it clear that she is in good spirits - and she even managed some humour.
She said she was being well fed and has been given so many apples "I feel I could set up my own stall".
Gibbons, of Aigburth, Liverpool said she was grateful to the people who have been working to secure her release, but said that she would be sad to leave Sudan.
The statement, which was released by her legal team, said: "I'm fine, I'm well, I'm very grateful to all the people working on my behalf. I know so many people out there have done so much. I know the Prime Minister has called my son, and I'm really grateful to everyone.
"I want people to know I've been well treated, and especially that I'm well fed. I've been given so many apples I feel I could set up my own stall. The guards are constantly asking if I have everything I need.
"The Sudanese people in general have been pleasant and very generous, and I've had nothing but good experiences during my four months here. I'm really sad to leave and if I could go back to work tomorrow then I would."
The statement was released just hours after Gibbons, 54, was visited at a secret location in Sudan's capital, Khartoum, by two British Muslim peers who have travelled to Sudan in a private bid to win her freedom.
Lord Ahmed, a Labour peer, and Baroness Warsi, a Conservative peer, held talks with the Sudanese foreign minister and other officials earlier yesterday in an attempt to resolve the situation.
Gibbons's chief defence lawyer said that he expected her to be pardoned after the peers' visit. Kamal al-Gizouli said that only the Sudanese president had the power to lift Gibbons' sentence.
Gibbons is being held in secret after thousands of protesters gathered on Friday to demand a harsher sentence. Yesterday, the streets were quiet.
Gibbons was jailed for insulting Islam after allowing her class of seven-year-olds to name a teddy bear Mohammed.
Yesterday, the Foreign Office said British Embassy staff had spent an hour and a half with Gibbons, who has been moved to a "more comfortable and secure environment".
Lady Warsi said Gibbons had been "in good spirits" during her visit.
"I asked her how she was feeling and if she was eating well," she said.
Lady Warsi said they were optimistic that a resolution could be reached.
She said: "We are here with one agenda, a very clear agenda, and the Sudanese authorities are aware of that."
Diplomatic efforts by the British government to secure the teacher's release are also continuing, with the Foreign Secretary calling the Sudanese foreign minister at 1.30pm yesterday to reiterate his "very strong concern" at her continued detention.
On Friday night, Foreign Secretary David Miliband rang Gibbons' son, John, 27, to personally reassure the family that he is doing "everything he can" to secure her release.
Speaking outside his Liverpool home this morning, John Gibbons said: "The Foreign Office have been in touch with me all the time, and the Foreign Secretary rang me last night.
"He didn't say much really, just to say they're doing everything they can. He's still trying."
He said he had spoken to his mother and told her the family missed her and loved her. He said he had no plans to travel to Sudan because they were hoping the matter would soon be resolved.
A Foreign Office spokesman said yesterday: "Mrs Gibbons' welfare remains our priority. Consular staff from the British Embassy visited her again this morning and spent around an hour and a half with her."
The spokesman said that the peers' trip was a private initiative, which complemented their efforts.
"Our Embassy in Khartoum is providing the two peers with every possible support, with the British Ambassador to Sudan accompanying them in their meetings. We are pleased that they have been able to convey the views of British Muslims and wider British society to the Sudanese authorities," he said.
The perceived leniency of Gibbons's sentence has incensed Sudan's hard-line Muslim clerics. On Friday crowds burned pictures of her and called for her to be executed.
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Posted by: Penny Lee on 5:10am Sun 2 Dec 07
It is to be hoped that this **** for blood by
Muslim clerics and others gradually lessens as
they drag themselves a little nearer to
more enlightened times. They are not showing us anything admirable about Islam as practised in Sudan.
It is to be hoped that this **** for blood by
Muslim clerics and others gradually lessens as
they drag themselves a little nearer to
more enlightened times. They are not showing us anything admirable about Islam as practised in Sudan.
Posted by: donald, glasgow on 7:08am Sun 2 Dec 07
What is Wendy's caterpillar called,St Gorge?
What is Wendy's caterpillar called,St Gorge?
Posted by: Garry Otton, RELIGION IS THE PROBLEM on 8:51am Sun 2 Dec 07
Well, I’m glad that the idea of 54-year-old teacher facing 40 lashes for naming a teddy bear Mohammed, shocks most people today. Don’t forget the Blasphemy Act of 1697 (the common law measure akin to the charge of heresy; once punishable by death and last used in Scotland in 1843 when a Scottish bookseller was imprisoned for 15 months for selling blasphemous books) is [italic]still[/italic] on the statute books! In 1977, Gay News and its late editor, Denis Lemon were prosecuted for blasphemous libel following the publication of a silly poem by Professor James Kirkup about a centurion’s love for Christ at the Crucifixion. There were several appeals - one in the House of Lords - but with the UK the only western democracy handing out seats in its Parliament to unelected religionists, it came as no surprise the Lords upheld the judgement. Now, in 2007, after an orchestrated bombardment of complaints to the BBC following the broadcast of Jerry Springer: The Opera, the strident, Stephen Green of the militant Christian Voice is applying for permission in the High Court to bring a case of blasphemy against BBC director-general, Mark Thompson and the show’s producer, Jon Thoday. I’m sure, that in the name of free speech, there is now a sufficient common accord to drive a stake through the heart of this anachronistic law once and for all. Sufficient, I suspect, but for the siren voices of a small, vociferous minority of militant religionists whose demands for everything from so-called ‘faith schools’ to special privileges and rights are now growing ever more shrill.
Well, I’m glad that the idea of 54-year-old teacher facing 40 lashes for naming a teddy bear Mohammed, shocks most people today. Don’t forget the Blasphemy Act of 1697 (the common law measure akin to the charge of heresy; once punishable by death and last used in Scotland in 1843 when a Scottish bookseller was imprisoned for 15 months for selling blasphemous books) is
still on the statute books! In 1977, Gay News and its late editor, Denis Lemon were prosecuted for blasphemous libel following the publication of a silly poem by Professor James Kirkup about a centurion’s love for Christ at the Crucifixion. There were several appeals - one in the House of Lords - but with the UK the only western democracy handing out seats in its Parliament to unelected religionists, it came as no surprise the Lords upheld the judgement. Now, in 2007, after an orchestrated bombardment of complaints to the BBC following the broadcast of Jerry Springer: The Opera, the strident, Stephen Green of the militant Christian Voice is applying for permission in the High Court to bring a case of blasphemy against BBC director-general, Mark Thompson and the show’s producer, Jon Thoday. I’m sure, that in the name of free speech, there is now a sufficient common accord to drive a stake through the heart of this anachronistic law once and for all. Sufficient, I suspect, but for the siren voices of a small, vociferous minority of militant religionists whose demands for everything from so-called ‘faith schools’ to special privileges and rights are now growing ever more shrill.
Posted by: mohammhed, the false religion on 2:13pm Sun 2 Dec 07
"Gibbons is being held in secret after thousands of protesters gathered on Friday to demand a harsher sentence. Yesterday, the streets were quiet." Bridget why dont you publish the facts, the harsher sentance the crowd were wanting was death and probably a beheading which has been the muslim way for centuries, why else where they strutting about with three foot blades. Once again we had to send over muslims peers to try and sort this out which was wrong, a goverment official should have sorted it out regardless of their religion.
"Gibbons is being held in secret after thousands of protesters gathered on Friday to demand a harsher sentence. Yesterday, the streets were quiet." Bridget why dont you publish the facts, the harsher sentance the crowd were wanting was death and probably a beheading which has been the muslim way for centuries, why else where they strutting about with three foot blades. Once again we had to send over muslims peers to try and sort this out which was wrong, a goverment official should have sorted it out regardless of their religion.
Posted by: Elstar on 3:33pm Sun 2 Dec 07
[quote]She said she was being well fed and has been given so many apples "I feel I could set up my own stall".
advertisement[/quote] Huh???
She said she was being well fed and has been given so many apples "I feel I could set up my own stall".
advertisement
Huh???
Posted by: Urban Guerrilla, Edinburgh on 4:20pm Sun 2 Dec 07
Gary Otton - religion isn't the problem.
Islam is the problem.
Gary Otton - religion isn't the problem.
Islam is the problem.
Posted by: Tommy, East Kilbride on 4:27pm Sun 2 Dec 07
Why the fuss to try to get her out early. It's only 15 days and she's being treated okay, let her serve her sentence and come home.
Religious fanaticism flourishes in these countries due to poverty and ignorance. Countries with a well educated populace have moved on from believing in hokus pokus, legend and myth.
Muhammed was no more than the 7th century David Icke.
Why the fuss to try to get her out early. It's only 15 days and she's being treated okay, let her serve her sentence and come home.
Religious fanaticism flourishes in these countries due to poverty and ignorance. Countries with a well educated populace have moved on from believing in hokus pokus, legend and myth.
Muhammed was no more than the 7th century David Icke.
Posted by: Urban Guerrilla, Edinburgh on 4:34pm Sun 2 Dec 07
Tommy, her sentence was monstrously unjust and Britain should, as a matter of principle, be demanding a full apology and very substantial damages. Anyone who puts a woman in jail for calling a teddy bear Mohammed deserves no respect. We should stop all aid to Sudan right now - and to every other country that has incorporated Sharia Law in its penal code.
Tommy, her sentence was monstrously unjust and Britain should, as a matter of principle, be demanding a full apology and very substantial damages. Anyone who puts a woman in jail for calling a teddy bear Mohammed deserves no respect. We should stop all aid to Sudan right now - and to every other country that has incorporated Sharia Law in its penal code.
Posted by: Urban Guerrilla, Edinburgh on 4:37pm Sun 2 Dec 07
Tommy, her sentence was monstrously unjust and Britain should, as a matter of principle, be demanding a full apology and very substantial damages. Anyone who puts a woman in jail for calling a teddy bear Mohammed deserves no respect. We should stop all aid to Sudan right now - and to every other country that has incorporated Sharia Law in its penal code.
Tommy, her sentence was monstrously unjust and Britain should, as a matter of principle, be demanding a full apology and very substantial damages. Anyone who puts a woman in jail for calling a teddy bear Mohammed deserves no respect. We should stop all aid to Sudan right now - and to every other country that has incorporated Sharia Law in its penal code.
Posted by: Alan C., Shetland on 4:43pm Sun 2 Dec 07
[quote]Tommy
Religious fanaticism flourishes in these countries due to poverty and ignorance. Countries with a well educated populace have moved on from believing in hokus pokus, legend and myth.[/quote] I must disagree with you Tommy, U.S.A?
Tommy
Religious fanaticism flourishes in these countries due to poverty and ignorance. Countries with a well educated populace have moved on from believing in hokus pokus, legend and myth.
I must disagree with you Tommy, U.S.A?
Posted by: OHO, Glasgow on 5:06pm Sun 2 Dec 07
I hope that all the costs related to this - for Embassy staff, Muslim Lords, lawyers etc, as well as damages for Ms Gibbons will all be paid for by the school - who have a duty of care to its employees to ensure that they have proper cultural training and are adequately supervised to ensure such faux pas do not occur - so can we expect to see a prosecution there?
I hope that all the costs related to this - for Embassy staff, Muslim Lords, lawyers etc, as well as damages for Ms Gibbons will all be paid for by the school - who have a duty of care to its employees to ensure that they have proper cultural training and are adequately supervised to ensure such faux pas do not occur - so can we expect to see a prosecution there?
Posted by: Tommy, East Kilbride on 5:51pm Sun 2 Dec 07
[quote][bold]Alan C.[/bold] wrote:
[quote]Tommy Religious fanaticism flourishes in these countries due to poverty and ignorance. Countries with a well educated populace have moved on from believing in hokus pokus, legend and myth.[/quote] I must disagree with you Tommy, U.S.A?[/quote] Alan, I did say a well educated populace
Alan C. wrote:
Tommy Religious fanaticism flourishes in these countries due to poverty and ignorance. Countries with a well educated populace have moved on from believing in hokus pokus, legend and myth.
I must disagree with you Tommy, U.S.A?
Alan, I did say a well educated populace
Posted by: Tommy, East Kilbride on 6:01pm Sun 2 Dec 07
[quote][bold]Urban Guerrilla[/bold] wrote:
Tommy, her sentence was monstrously unjust and Britain should, as a matter of principle, be demanding a full apology and very substantial damages. Anyone who puts a woman in jail for calling a teddy bear Mohammed deserves no respect. We should stop all aid to Sudan right now - and to every other country that has incorporated Sharia Law in its penal code. [/quote] I didn't say it was a just sentence Urb, just that she'll be home soon anyway relatively unscathed. Why give Sudan's leaders the opportunity to appear merciful by handing her over to our muslim peers.
The aid we send stops tens of thousands of displaced people from starving. The leadership won't notice or care if we stop it, they're swimming in oil riches anyway.
Urban Guerrilla wrote:
Tommy, her sentence was monstrously unjust and Britain should, as a matter of principle, be demanding a full apology and very substantial damages. Anyone who puts a woman in jail for calling a teddy bear Mohammed deserves no respect. We should stop all aid to Sudan right now - and to every other country that has incorporated Sharia Law in its penal code.
I didn't say it was a just sentence Urb, just that she'll be home soon anyway relatively unscathed. Why give Sudan's leaders the opportunity to appear merciful by handing her over to our muslim peers.
The aid we send stops tens of thousands of displaced people from starving. The leadership won't notice or care if we stop it, they're swimming in oil riches anyway.
Posted by: Mohammed the Don't Care Bear on 8:21pm Sun 2 Dec 07
[quote][bold]Tommy[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Urban Guerrilla[/bold] wrote:
Tommy, her sentence was monstrously unjust and Britain should, as a matter of principle, be demanding a full apology and very substantial damages. Anyone who puts a woman in jail for calling a teddy bear Mohammed deserves no respect. We should stop all aid to Sudan right now - and to every other country that has incorporated Sharia Law in its penal code. [/quote] I didn't say it was a just sentence Urb, just that she'll be home soon anyway relatively unscathed. Why give Sudan's leaders the opportunity to appear merciful by handing her over to our muslim peers.
The aid we send stops tens of thousands of displaced people from starving. The leadership won't notice or care if we stop it, they're swimming in oil riches anyway.[/quote] It wasn't the leadership that were baying for her head in the streets. No aid for Sudan.
Tommy wrote:
Urban Guerrilla wrote:
Tommy, her sentence was monstrously unjust and Britain should, as a matter of principle, be demanding a full apology and very substantial damages. Anyone who puts a woman in jail for calling a teddy bear Mohammed deserves no respect. We should stop all aid to Sudan right now - and to every other country that has incorporated Sharia Law in its penal code.
I didn't say it was a just sentence Urb, just that she'll be home soon anyway relatively unscathed. Why give Sudan's leaders the opportunity to appear merciful by handing her over to our muslim peers.
The aid we send stops tens of thousands of displaced people from starving. The leadership won't notice or care if we stop it, they're swimming in oil riches anyway.
It wasn't the leadership that were baying for her head in the streets. No aid for Sudan.
Posted by: Sammy on 12:13am Mon 3 Dec 07
We all non-Muslims are just trying to live under dangerous illusion that Muslims will live in peace or stop demanding more after we non-Muslim stupid folks give up every demand Muslims made. Wake up guys! Study Quranic teachings about hatred and conquest of non-Muslims of the world eventually either by peaceful Jihad or violent Jihad. Let's not be too stupid anymore if we want to survive Islamic onslaught going on all around the world."
We all non-Muslims are just trying to live under dangerous illusion that Muslims will live in peace or stop demanding more after we non-Muslim stupid folks give up every demand Muslims made. Wake up guys! Study Quranic teachings about hatred and conquest of non-Muslims of the world eventually either by peaceful Jihad or violent Jihad. Let's not be too stupid anymore if we want to survive Islamic onslaught going on all around the world."
Posted by: linda hall, maryland on 1:15am Mon 3 Dec 07
It sure will be nice when the Muslim religion fades away as people who are members realize they are living in the 1100's and need to catch up with the rest of the civilized world. How that "religion" can be truly followed without its members questioning its practices and beliefs makes us all realize that these people are brainwashed. Perhaps bowing down on their knees with their butts in the air makes their blood rush to their heads so much they cannot think clearly. No religion that is true, preaches hatred, and justifies common man to kill others on a whim.
It sure will be nice when the Muslim religion fades away as people who are members realize they are living in the 1100's and need to catch up with the rest of the civilized world. How that "religion" can be truly followed without its members questioning its practices and beliefs makes us all realize that these people are brainwashed. Perhaps bowing down on their knees with their butts in the air makes their blood rush to their heads so much they cannot think clearly. No religion that is true, preaches hatred, and justifies common man to kill others on a whim.
Posted by: Sammy on 10:07pm Mon 3 Dec 07
[quote][bold]linda hall[/bold] wrote:
It sure will be nice when the Muslim religion fades away as people who are members realize they are living in the 1100's and need to catch up with the rest of the civilized world. How that "religion" can be truly followed without its members questioning its practices and beliefs makes us all realize that these people are brainwashed. Perhaps bowing down on their knees with their butts in the air makes their blood rush to their heads so much they cannot think clearly. No religion that is true, preaches hatred, and justifies common man to kill others on a whim.[/quote] I cant see this islamofacism going away until it is outlawed, just because there are millions of believers doesnt make it right or give it a reason to exist. Please read up on Islam.
As the false prophet Mohammed shouldnt be idolised (Danish cartoons, the teddy bear) then how come you can go into any search engine like yahoo or google and do a search and you can find over a 100,000 images of the false prophet. All those believers must have missed that as I dont see any boycots or mass protests.
linda hall wrote:
It sure will be nice when the Muslim religion fades away as people who are members realize they are living in the 1100's and need to catch up with the rest of the civilized world. How that "religion" can be truly followed without its members questioning its practices and beliefs makes us all realize that these people are brainwashed. Perhaps bowing down on their knees with their butts in the air makes their blood rush to their heads so much they cannot think clearly. No religion that is true, preaches hatred, and justifies common man to kill others on a whim.
I cant see this islamofacism going away until it is outlawed, just because there are millions of believers doesnt make it right or give it a reason to exist. Please read up on Islam.
As the false prophet Mohammed shouldnt be idolised (Danish cartoons, the teddy bear) then how come you can go into any search engine like yahoo or google and do a search and you can find over a 100,000 images of the false prophet. All those believers must have missed that as I dont see any boycots or mass protests.
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