General Chat

Latest news is that the teddy has been released on bail pending FURther investigations..

Yes it appears it was getting aid under false pretences

Twizzle

Linda I agree wholeheartedly. She actually got off very lightly and we have no right to meddle in other country's legitimate affairs, irrespective of whether we are in agreement or not.
If their constitution says certain things then we have no right to dictate otherwise.
As far as the BNP argument is concerned, that is on a loser right from the start. Again, this is something in another country with different rules, regulations and opinions. Some countries will criticise Britain for its treatment of Hamza - are we not reacting in the same way. She was in a foreign place and did something that offended the nationals.
I am not saying I agree but I am certainly saying that we should not try to apply British values and laws to other states.

stands behind peter

pats him on the back

But I honestly thought the name Mohammed was a sort of foreign name for Michael, or something like that..............
Silly old me, eh. :-(

Errol well said ....

Sorry Errol , the children named the bear , and if the country excepted the lady to teach at one of there schools surely they should have given all information about religion etc , but of course seeing as the Sudanese are a fine upstanding country its all our fault.

I have to say that although I do think the punishment is harsh she has to be aware that it was unwise to give the teddy that name, however innocent, she could have said to the boy that it would be best to name the teddy something else as she wouldn't want to get mixed up who was who.
Interestingly I have just read on AOL news that it was a secretary at the school who made the complaint. Perhaps some old scores being settled??

And as I've said before they are quick enough to take our aid , but not to quick to allow leniency for a genuine mistake , which begs the question do we allow people to go to these countries to help with education and aid if these sort of issues arise.

And the children would genuinely have a grasp of what would be deemed by adults right and wrong?
Also, it should be down to the individual to find out what is or is not acceptable.
How many times do we say that immigrants to Britain should find out about our culture etc?
As someone said earlier - when in Rome.
It is surely the individual's responsibility to ensure that local feelings, laws, religious beliefs, sensitivity etc is not upset.
One rule for them and another for us?

You mean like in this country Errol ???


see a lot of that happening I dont think.

Errol How could anyone have known that naming a teddy Mohammed would put them at risk of being lashed 40 times, thats not local culture thats brainless barbarism.

We also have (fairly newly introduced) laws here that cover racial incitement.
However, we are applying British values and beliefs to something that, at the end of the day, has happened in another country.
Once we go down the "we are right they are wrong" route we end up no better than they.
Is it also wrong that in certain countries one can be punished and, indeed, receive the lash for brewing and distributing alcohol purely because we can have a drink in the UK?
We have to understand that this is a different culture with its own rules and regulations - whether it is right or wrong.

It appears that we are very good at being British , but when one looks around at some of our communitys who have come from abroad , and have settled down here yet cannot even speak english because in the community they live in they dont have to , then Errol your when in Rome statement go's out the window .

George, Britain provides aid for many countries. Would you rather that aid was not provided and those various peoples suffered terribly?

And it was religious incitement that got this woman arrested

well I hope that no more of our teachers choose to go there to teach. it is not safe while they follow these laws, One step out of line, they don't need much excuse. Thank goodness though that she didn't get the 40 lashes.

Ann
Glos

At the risk of getting severely pounded by the PC brigade, and anyone else, I don't think we should be allowing foreigners to buy large tracts of our land, and houses, large or small.
I don't think we should be going to other people's countries and telling them what to do either - look how much damage missionaries did to native cultures. We should not be buying houses and land in poor European countries as holiday homes. If everyone stayed at home and minded their own business there would be a lot less trouble.
--Puts on tin helmet and waits for brickbats--
Eileen

I think the poor woman will be more upset at being deported than spending 2 weeks in jail,,,,,,,,sorry but if you **offend** as seen to be by that country regardless of our feelings then that country rules come into force,,,,,,,just as they do in any other part of the world,,,,,,

crazy law in our eyes but there it is,,,,,,we cant change it,,,,,,,,,,,,

Freedom of choice. If a teacher or indeed any professional goes to foreign climes to share knowledge and expertise then that is great. But we
are far too good at then expecting the local populace to excuse us.
Saints Alive - the argument does not go "out the window". Just because it doesn't happen does not mean it is right or wrong. I think that individuals (not communities) who choose to settle in the UK should endeavour to integrate within our society. The fact that there are many cultural differences within all the major connurbations of this country may cause problems but it is also indicative of how we are as a country - one of the most multi-cultural societies in the world in fact.
Acceptance is the first step towards widespread tolerance - but we are not the Sudan.