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Breaking- Press release from Muslim Council deplores Sudan judgement on teacher | November 30, 2007

Press Statement

The Irish Supreme Muslim Council vehemently abhors and deplores the
verdict of guilt issued by a Sudanese Court against the British school
teacher Gillian Gibbons for allegedly "insulting religion".

Irish Supreme Muslim Council
ألمجلس الاعلي الاسلامي الايرلندي
Ard Comhairle Moslamach Na hEireann

11 Merrion Square Dublin 2
Fax: 00353-1-8218485
E-mail: [email protected]

Press Statement

The Irish Supreme Muslim Council vehemently abhors and deplores the
verdict of guilt issued by a Sudanese Court against the British school
teacher Gillian Gibbons for allegedly "insulting religion".

The Council believes that a full criminal trial and now custodial
sentence over the naming of a classroom toy is abominable and defies
common sense.
Indeed it has been clear from the outset that Ms Gibbon did not in
anyway desire to malign the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and
that the choice of name for the teddy bear had come from the children
themselves. The only thing to come from this affair is for the name of
Islam to be dragged through the mud yet again by bigots.

For Muslims across the world, education is of paramount importance
particularly because the Prophet Muhammad himself commanded Muslims to
seek knowledge wherever they can.

Ms Gibbons was indeed a part of such a noble tradition of teaching
others and we are appalled by her treatment and note that Sudanese
Courts do not speak for true Islam or Muslims in Ireland and Europe.

We are saddened that the Muslim world is silent on issues such as these
and the punishment of the Saudi girl but they are quick to issue decrees
to justify and appease their political rulers. We call on the Azhar who
does not hesitate to issue decrees to appease Hosni Mubarak and the
Saudi scholars to forth-rightly condemn such unbecoming behaviour.

We also call on the Sudanese regime to resolve the Darfur crisis rather
than concerning themselves with teddy bears.

Sheikh (Prof) Shaheed Satardien


--
Sheikh Dr. Shaheed Satardien
Ireland Director of the office for the
International Islamic Forum for Dialogue (IIFD)
Professor of Islamic Studies and Arabic Language
Saor Ollscoil Na hEireann
(Free University of Ireland)
Dublin 7

+353 1 8218485
+353879932581

Posted by admin at November 30, 2007 07:21 PM


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