Brits Seek Pardon For Gillian Gibbons; Sudanese Seethe

Two Muslim lawmakers in the British Parliament have been in Khartoum since Saturday morning meeting with government officials and community leaders in hopes of reaching a deal to free Gibbons.

But the country's justice minister said Sunday that only President Omar al-Bashir had the power to issue a pardon.

Nazir Ahmed and Sayeeda Warsi, members of the House of Lords, who arrived in Khartoum Saturday, now believe unless a deal is done by Sunday evening she will remain locked up until next Saturday, Time magazine reporter Sam Dealey told CNN. Video Watch as lawmakers try to free teacher »

The two lawmakers are working to convince the Sudanese government that releasing her now would create international goodwill, while continuing to hold her would mean extraordinarily ill will toward their country, Dealey said.

Moderates, who are in the majority in Sudan's government, appeared ready to hand her over to the British Embassy Sunday, but have become reluctant as hardliners in the minority increase local pressure on them, he said.

The moderates aren't in control; it's the Islamists. They may have a majority in the government, but they don't have control. Khartoum is dominated by Islamists, including the President. Those Islamists are not going to let this pass with a pardon. Then, CNN engages in some dissembling:

The case has sparked outrage both in Sudan and in Britain.

On Friday, hundreds of angry protesters, some waving ceremonial swords from trucks equipped with loud speakers, gathered outside the presidential palace in Khartoum to denounce Gibbons, with some calling for her execution.

The outrage shown by the Sudanese wasn't simply a few hundred people, but thousands streaming into the streets demanding Gibbons' head on a platter or shot to death for allowing her young students naming a teddy bear Mohammed.

Other reports showed thousands demanding Gibbons be executed. The demonstrations in Britain were muted and responses were virtually nonexistent among feminist groups or human rights groups.

So far, Gibbons is being treated well, despite being incarcerated for a trumped up crime in a kangaroo court that took hours to sentence her to 15 days jail and deportation for her "crime". She'd be treated even better if she was free to return to Britain and apologies given to her for this abhorrent treatment.

Of course, the Islamists will have nothing of that. They want her head on a platter and are upset that she was given such a lax sentence. To them, any affront of their religious views is a death sentence.

Some Muslim groups have spoken out against Gibbons' treatment by the Sudanese authorities, but they're few and far between. These groups really need to find their voice and tell the Islamists where to stick it. Of course, this puts those groups at odds with the Islamists who consider anything less than strict adherence to Sharia (Islamic law) apostasy and subjects those Muslims to fatwas and death sentences.

UPDATE:
Looks like whatever diplomatic maneuverings the Brits did, may have worked. There are multiple reports that Gibbons will be spirited out of Sudan within hours to the UK. This isn't to say that she's home free or safe, as Islamists around the world don't take kindly to someone insulting Islam.

The Sun notes the following:

If Gillian is released early, she is expected to be whisked to the airport from a secret government detention building.

Armed police are on standby to protect her after 10,000 sword-wielding fanatics took to the streets demanding her execution on Friday.

Consider that in light of the lowballing of the number of demonstrators calling for her death. The sentiment calling for her death is quite deep - and far more widespread than the Sudanese care to admit.