Jailed Teacher

Not too long ago I heard about the protests in Sudan where very upset people asked for the execution of Gillian Gibbons. A teacher who allowed her students to call their class teddy bear “Muhammad.” She was convicted of insulting Islam.

She was sentenced to deportation and 15 days in jail, of which she only spent nine. After lawmakers from England, who are also Muslim members of the House of Lords cooperated in the process of asking the president of Sudan to release Gibbons.

The teacher was finally released and taken back home, to England where the media overwhelmed her with all the attention. I had to look more into this news story for another class and I had the opportunity to see some of the press statements that she gave on an interview. She said that she was treated well in jail and that everyone was very kind to her.

I’m glad she had the courtesy of saying exactly how she felt, pointing out that she was treated kindly. When people don’t know about other cultures they say things (that are usually to denigrate that culture) based on the few facts they have heard (if they have heard anything at all). I’m glad to see that the Sudanese government was somewhat lenient towards this educator, because she didn’t mean to offend anyone.

 ::Edit:: This post is to praise the teacher’s attitude towards the Sudanese governmen. I believe that in no way, shape or form have I stated through this post that Islam is evil. I just wanted to give props to people like this teacher that did not use her position, and the media attention to denigrate those who jailed her. ::end edit::

Materialism

Our society has accustomed us to think that we need the unnecessary. As I listened to the Telling Stories With Sound course at the News University website, I found this article (it is a radio piece) on how in India the influence of TV channels like MTV are having an impact on their generation of teens. Yes, the Western world is not alone on this one. It must be our own (uncontrollable) selfishness and the desire of just being “cool” that makes us block the need of others. We have so much yet, that doesn’t seem enough. Now, I see another issue. With so many “organizations” that ask for money or goods to help people in very poor conditions how do you know for sure that if you donate they are in fact helping those who need it? My instructor sent me this very interesting video. After watching it, I felt ashamed for the times I’ve complained about my life.

Bomb Blast in India

As I looked for international news for one of my classes; In the CNN website I run into another bomb blast, this time in India. The authorities in that country still don’t have much clue of who is behind this attack. Some suspect is has to do with religious issues, and it is the second attack in one week. For what I read, officials in India blame Islamic militants for attacks that have happened for the last two years. The relations between Hindus and Muslims in this country has been rather peaceful since India’s and Pakistan’s independence from Britain in 1947.

Another Crusade?

There was another video released by Osama Bin Laden, the United States’ No. 1 enemy.
He keeps trying to scare people with his messages right when another anniversary of September 11 is going to be commemorated. I can’t help but think about what is the next thing in his plan. This issue is not only about the United States invading Iraq. It is also a religious war tells Americans (and I would add anyone who is not a Muslim) to “embrace Islam.”

One of the ironies of humanity is that we allow history to repeat itself. I don’t think that even if the United States decided to bring its troops back and end the war would put end to this predicament. Now Bin Laden in saying that our democratic government has failed us and the only way to correct that is converting to Islam. I want to make it clear though that I am not trying to attack all Muslims. I have been fortunate to meet people from different countries, who are Muslims and I am honored to call friends. I am talking about people who would be willing to blow themselves and others up for the sake of their beliefs.

I am also almost certain that if the United States were to capture Bin Laden, this whole issue would not be over. They call him “the lion sheik,” at this point, if he is not dead yet, he is an icon and his followers will continue the work for him.