A British teacher Gillian Gibbons has been arrested in Sudan for allegedly breaching Criminal codes as it relates to insults against faith and religion. The 54 year teacher works at the Unity High School in Khartoum, a private school that caters mainly for the children of Sudan’s elites as well as wealthy expatriates.

Her problems began when she conducted a project with her class to name a Teddy Bear, the name eventually settled on was Mohammed and a journal was kept by the children with the title “My name is Mohammed” and picture of the bear.

The journal came to the attention of several parents who complained to the ministry of education. The complaints arose because Islamic tradition frowns upon any depiction of an image of the prophet Mohammed. Following the complaints Miss Gibbons was arrested by Sudanese Police.

According to the Sudan Media Centre Miss Gibbons is to be charged under article 125 of the criminal law (insult of faith and religion) after a complaint from the ministry. If found guilty she could face up to six months in prison and well as receiving 40 lashes.

The incident has raised emotions in Khartoum leading to the closure of the school Miss Gibbons worked at, as well as invoking comparisons with the Danish cartoons of Prophet Mohammed.