Who would have thought that the words “crisis” and “teddy bear” would ever occupy the same headline?

Indigo Jo writes as to why the Sudanese authorities should not have felt the teddy bear naming to be offensive.

[...] there is no suggestion that an insult to, or even a reference to, the Prophet, sall’ Allahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, was intended. For someone to be punished for an insult, it has to be intended, even if not premeditated. Someone coming from outside the Islamic world cannot be expected to understand that naming a teddy bear Muhammad might cause offence, because it is not something with well-known negative connotations. Teddy bears are cuddly, fluffy toys which are used for comforting children at night, even if real bears are not cuddly at all, but dangerous predators which can kill a man with one swipe of their front paws.

Meanwhile, Zareen points out some other facts that counter the Sudanese position.

[...] the children were asked to choose a range of names themselves, the teacher did not submit these names, so it is not surprising that the child was drawn to a Muslim name. So if you think about it, maybe those twenty-three seven-year olds were being blasphemous and should be held to account. Seems absurd doesn’t it?

And Sandmonkey sarcastically commends the Sudanese authorities for taking action.

Thankfully the very alert Sudanese authorities have sprung into action and arrested that evil quite-possibly-jewish zionist imperialist Islam-hating wench, who is now facing either 6 months in jail, 40 lashes or a fine. I say lash her 80 lashes and then cut off her head, for naming the teddy bear Mohamed AND for teaching the children to vote. Insulting the Prophet is bad enough, but teaching the kids the democratic process, that’s just downright unforgivable!

Finally, Sidi Masud launches a petition to pursue the Sudanese government to let go of the matter.