The Archbishop of Canterbury has called the decision by a Sudanese court to jail a British teacher for allowing her class to name a teddy bear Mohammed “absurd”.
Gillian Gibbons, 54, was sentenced to 15 days in prison, after which she is to be deported back to the UK.
Dr Rowan Williams said: “I can't see any justification for this at all.
“I think that this is an absurdly disproportionate response to what is at best a minor cultural faux pas and I think that it's done the Sudanese Government no credit whatever.”
Ms Gibbons was spared the harshest sentence available for the crime – 40 lashes.
Foreign Minister David Miliband has summoned the Sudanese ambassador to explain the decision.
He said: “We are extremely disappointed that the charges against Gillian Gibbons were not dismissed. Our clear view is that this is an innocent misunderstanding by a dedicated teacher. Our priority now is to ensure Ms Gibbons’ welfare.”
POSTED: 30/11/2007 09:18:26
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