| Every now and again we get an international story | | | | manifests. In 'the West', religion and Prophets are seen |
| that demonstrates the importance of cultural | | | | as open to criticism and ridicule in name of freedom of |
| awareness in the modern age. Examples include the | | | | speech. However in more religious countries this is not |
| Israeli tourists kissing in a Hindu shrine, the movie poster | | | | tolerated. Within Islam it is an absolute no-no, whether it |
| that offended Buddhists and sparked protests in S.E. | | | | is Muhammad, Jesus (Isa), Moses (Musa) or Abraham |
| Asia or the now infamous Prophet Muhammad | | | | (Ibrahim). The reason is that Muhammad is seen as the |
| Cartoons. | | | | best of creation and the bringer of God's final |
| It is again the Prophet of Islam who is the centre of | | | | message to mankind. In a narration (hadith) of the |
| attention in the latest example of intercultural | | | | Prophet he tells his followers: |
| incompetence. British teacher Gillian Gibbons, 54, is | | | | "None of you believes until he loves me more than he |
| currently facing charges in Sudan on the grounds that | | | | loves his children, his parents, and all people." In another |
| she insulted Islam and incited hatred by allowing her | | | | hadith he says: "None of you believes until he loves me |
| class to name a teddy bear Muhammad. The story | | | | more than he loves himself." |
| has again been pounced upon by the media as | | | | A man of this stature is therefore afforded the highest |
| another example of Muslim extremism, irrationalility and | | | | of respect. Jokes are therefore out and naming teddy |
| their obvious discomfort with the "modern world". | | | | bears is not really appropriate either. |
| Firstly, it should be first stated that this is not a "Muslim" | | | | The whole saga is though a prime example of why |
| reaction. It was the reaction of some "over-senstive" | | | | people really need cultural awareness training before |
| parents (as quoted by Mr Khalid al Mubarak of the | | | | they go to live and/or work in a foreign country. It |
| Sudanese embassy in London). Most Muslims | | | | opens their eyes to potential problems and challenges |
| appreciate this was simply an error of judgement | | | | they may face as well as help them in the settling in |
| based upon ignorance of the respect afforded to the | | | | process. Cultural awareness helps the foreign become |
| Prophet within Islam. Many have publicly come out in | | | | less alien and most importantly less unexpected. |
| support of Ms. Gibbons: | | | | Below are some basic cultural awareness tips for |
| Muslim Council of Britain, (MCB) | | | | expatriates planning to move to a foreign country: |
| "This is a disgraceful decision and defies common | | | | * The easiest place to start is to get a good book that |
| sense. There was clearly no intention on the part of | | | | explains the local laws, customs, religion, society, |
| the teacher to deliberately insult the Islamic faith. The | | | | etiquette and culture. There are now many websites |
| children in Ms Gibbons' class and their parents have all | | | | that offer such information for free. |
| testified as to her innocence in this matter. We call | | | | * Join a forum on the internet. Ask for advice and |
| upon the Sudanese President, Umar al-Bashir, to | | | | what cultural awareness tips they have. |
| intervene in this case without delay to ensure that Ms | | | | * Try and learn some of the language - if you can not |
| Gibbons is freed from this quite shameful ordeal." | | | | dedicate time to language lessons then why not learn |
| Ramadhan Foundation | | | | some simple phrases? |
| "The Ramadhan Foundation urges the Sudanese | | | | * Draw upon friends or acquaintances that may be |
| Authorities to immediately release Gillian Gibbons as | | | | nationals of the country you are moving to. Seek their |
| she has not set out deliberately to offend or demonise | | | | advice and insight. |
| Islam and Muslims," said Mohammed Shafiq. "This | | | | * If kids are moving to then involve them as much as |
| matter is not worthy of arrest or detention and her | | | | possible in building cultural awareness - give them small |
| continued detention will not help repair the | | | | tasks that will slowly introduce them to their new |
| misconceptions about Islam. Like migrants coming to | | | | homes. |
| this country have to learn English, our values and | | | | * Once in the new country respect local customs and |
| customs, it is imperative that British citizens learn the | | | | dress codes. As you are a guest in their country it is |
| values, customs and beliefs of their adopted country." | | | | important not to behave in a manner that could offend |
| The reaction of the parents may be somewhat | | | | people. |
| extreme but it does demonstrate that when the | | | | * Even if local customs and ways of doing things may |
| Prophet Muhammad is involved one always has to be | | | | be frustrating always remember that it does not make |
| careful, especially when in a conservative country such | | | | it wrong. People across the world simply do things |
| as Sudan. The crux of the matter here is that the | | | | differently. |
| decision to name the teddy bear was based on | | | | * Pay attention to any religious observances especially |
| ignorance. This could have been something avoided | | | | in with less familiar religions such as Buddhism, |
| through a simple cultural awareness course. | | | | Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism. In some countries there |
| In any basic cultural awareness course on Islam, | | | | are restrictions on what can be eaten or worn. |
| reverance towards the Prophet is always discussed | | | | * If you are ever unsure whether your behaviour is |
| and elaborated upon. Most people from Western | | | | appropriate, simply observe what the locals do and |
| Europe or North America do not appreciate the level | | | | follow their lead. |
| of respect afforded to the Prophet and how this | | | | |