Just to clarify, was the bear named MUhammed or MOhammed? Theres a huge difference I think, dont quote me on it, but I think that when Muslim children are named Mohammed it is not actually the same as naming them Muhammed which would be the offensive name in question. Im not 100% sure but thats the impression I get anyway. They can also take offence at the name Danyaal (what we will call a boy if we have one) as it was someone who apparantly betrayed the prophet. But not many Muslims would take the drastic action they are taking, personally I think its much more political than religious, the Sudan government using her, making an example of her to show the rest of us infidels not to mess with Islam.
My OH is named Mohammed, tho he uses his middle name, and was brought up Muslim though he found he's own path as a teen and now describes himself as agnostic.
I have a lot of respect for the Islamic religions, taken in context they can be very peaceful, beautiful and magical religions, but of course context and fanatics dont often go hand in hand.
Id hate to see this turn into another media attack on Muslims, they have had it hard enough in the public eye as it is, especially British Muslims, and I think more people need to be educated on the actual religion and what the majority of Muslims in Britain believe. Did you know, for example, that the idea of suicide bombings is actually a sin? True martyrdom would be a brave warrior dying in battle for a just cause, suicide bombers are an insult to this belief to many Muslims.
Anyway, back to the point, I think that the teacher in question should have known that this may cause offence and been more sensitive to that, but the backlash it has caused has been majorly over the top and as I said to begin with, I think its more about making a political point than any perceived religious crime.[/u]
If anything the parents of the children should be punished for not correctly instructing their children.
