Teddy bear the focus of Sudanese charges

KHARTOUM, Sudan, Nov. 28 (UPI) -- A British teacher working in the Sudan is facing serious criminal charges for allegedly allowing her class to name a teddy bear Mohammed.

For her alleged actions while teaching her Sudanese primary school class, 54-year-old Gillian Gibbons has been accused of inciting hatred, insulting religion and showing contempt for religious beliefs, the BBC said Wednesday.

The criminal charges were immediately opposed by the Muslim Council of Britain and its secretary-general, Dr. Muhammad Abdul Bari.

"This is a disgraceful decision and defies common sense. There was clearly no intention on the part of the teacher to deliberately insult the Islamic faith," Bari said in a recent statement.

Members of the Sudanese Assembly of the Ulemas have asked that Gibbons face harsh repercussions for her actions, which they deem part of a Western conspiracy.

The BBC said that if convicted of the related charges, Gibbons could receive a fine, 40 lashes or six months in jail.