becoming

Gillian Gibbons, the teacher who had been convicted of insulting Islam for allowing schoolchildren in Sudan to name a toy bear Muhammad. She made this statement on her arrival at Heathrow Airport earlier this week:

I’m very glad to be back and I’m a little shocked about all the media attention that I have been getting.

I’m looking forward to seeing my family and friends and having a good rest, and I’m hoping that you’ll give me space in order to do that.

It has been an ordeal, but I would like you to know that I was well-treated in prison and everybody was very kind to me.

I was very sorry to leave Sudan.

I had a fabulous time there. It is a really lovely place and I managed to see some of the beautiful countryside while I was there.

The Sudanese people I found to be extremely kind and extremely generous, and until this happened to me I only had a good experience.

I wouldn’t like it to put anybody off going to Sudan. In fact, I know of a lovely school that needs a new Year Two teacher.

I would like to thank all the people who have worked so hard to secure my release or make my time in prison more bearable.

In particular, I would like to thank Lord Ahmed and Baroness Warsi who came to rescue me.

The ambassador and his staff in Khartoum, who were absolutely fantastic – I couldn’t have got through the ordeal without their support.

I’d like to also thank the British consul in Dubai who smoothed our progress through the airport.

My school, called Unity High School. The support I have received there from them is legendary and I’m going to miss my class and my colleagues enormously.

Also Emirates airline, who were absolutely fantastic, looking after us and making sure we were safe and getting us on and off planes.

And everybody else who sent me messages of support.

I haven’t read any of them yet, but I’ve been told all about them and it’s very nice that people have been thinking of me and taking the time and trouble to send me a message.

And also my long-suffering family and all my friends in Liverpool and the rest of England.

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These gracious & dignifying words from a middle-aged woman create a sharp contrast against the ridiculous actions of the Sudanese regime.