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Gillian Gibbons

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Educator

The Resume

    (1953- )
    Born in Liverpool, United Kingdom
    British teacher at Unity High School in Khartoum, Sudan (2007)
    Charged with insulting religion, inciting religious hatred and showing contempt for religious beliefs
    Sentenced to 15 days for allowing her students to name a teddy bear Muhammad (November 29, 2007)
    Faced sentencing of six months in jail or 40 lashes
    Pardoned after 8 days in jail (December 4, 2007)

Why she might be annoying:

    She disrespected and insulted Islamics by naming a toy after their prophet Muhammad.
    Thousands of Sudanese Muslims marched through Khartoum calling for her execution (November 30, 2007).
    Her case caused diplomatic tension between the United Kingdom and Sudan.
    Sudan risked losing aid from Britain.
    Her case demonstrated the intolerance of religious zealots.
    What ever happened to more rational punishments like stoning?

Why she might not be annoying:

    The teddy bear, Barnaby, was renamed Muhammad when a student asked if the bear could be renamed, after him.
    Considering Muhammad is the most popular Muslim name it begs the question of hypocrisy.
    Her judge was Muhammad Youssef.
    Her daughter, Jessica wrote, 'My mum does respect other cultures or she wouldn't have wanted to work in Sudan.'
    She said from prison 'I want people to know I've been well treated, and especially that I'm well fed.'
    British Muslims demonstrated against Sudan's imprisoning her.

Credit: Team Annoy


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 6 Votes: 83.33% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 12 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 14 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 11 Votes: 36.36% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 11 Votes: 18.18% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 9 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 16 Votes: 87.50% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 19 Votes: 42.11% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 32 Votes: 34.38% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 378 Votes: 43.65% Annoying