British Teacher Who Named Teddy Bear Arrives Home From Sudan

by Rob Walker | December 4, 2007 at 02:01 pm | 354 views | 3 comments

‘Muhammad’ teddy teacher arrested in Sudan

Well thankfully she's home safe. And all over a teddy bear!

Muslim leaders bearing flowers delivered a message of support Tuesday before the homecoming in northern England of a British teacher jailed in Sudan for allowing her students to name a teddy bear Muhammad.

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Gillian Gibbons was due to return to Liverpool after being pardoned for insulting Islam — ending a case that set off an international outcry and angered many moderate Muslims.

After traveling through the night from Sudan, Gibbons told reporters awaiting her arrival at London's Heathrow Airport that she was stunned by the swift turn of events and her eight days in jail for insulting Islam.

"I'm just an ordinary middle-aged primary school teacher. I went out there to have an adventure, and got a bit more than I bargained for," she said. "I don't think anyone could have imagined it would snowball like this."

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BigT

at 14:06 on December 4th, 2007

good stuff:

Rob Walker, glad she's home. I thought I heard that she apologized for causing this situation, which is sad. But I'm glad she's home.

liamssoft

at 14:32 on December 4th, 2007

good stuff:

Rob Walker, Gibbons said she didn't want her experience "to put anyone off going to Sudan — in fact I know of a lovely school that needs a new Year Two teacher." Good stuff.