Region | Iraq
Al Zaidi's shoe protest spurs Arab delight
While "shoe attacker" Muntadar Al Zaidi appeared before a judge on Wednesday in his jail cell for throwing his shoes at US President George W. Bush, many Arabs continue talking about the incident, prompting the question: Why the fascination?
- By Layelle Saad, Deputy GCC/Middle East Editor
- Published: 21:10 December 17, 2008
- Image Credit: AP
- Al Zaidi's action won him widespread plaudits in the Arab world where Bush's policies have drawn broad hostility, although Iraqi reaction was mixed.
Dubai: While "shoe attacker" Muntadar Al Zaidi appeared before a judge on Wednesday in his jail cell for throwing his shoes at US President George W. Bush, many Arabs continue talking about the incident, prompting the question: Why the fascination?
"The overwhelming fascination with the incident flows from a feeling of powerlessness that has grown in the Arab world with the US invasion of Iraq.
Bush is yet to be held accountable for any of his actions, so that act should be treated as merely a symbolic one," Nathan Brown, an analyst specialising in Democracy Issues in the Middle East at the Washington -based Carnegie endowment for International Peace told Gulf News.
The family of Al Zaidi went to the Central Criminal Court expecting to attend a hearing, but they were told that the investigating judge went to see him in jail and that they should return in eight days, according to his brother Dhargham.
"That means my brother was severely beaten and they fear that his appearance could trigger anger at the court," he added. Iraqi officials have denied Al Zaidi suffered serious injuries. The White House has downplayed the incident.
"The president harbours no hard feelings about the incident. We've really moved on," White House spokeswoman Dan Perino told reporters on Tuesday.
"I think the president believes that Iraq is a sovereign country, a democratic country, and they will have a process that they follow on this," she continued. Under Iraqi law, Al Zaidi faces up to seven years in jail for "offending the head of a foreign state".
Al Zaidi's action won him widespread plaudits in the Arab world where Bush's policies have drawn broad hostility, although Iraqi reaction was mixed.
In Iraq's parliament, Baha Al Araji, an MP of the movement headed by radical Shiite anti-American cleric Moqtada Al Sadr, demanded an inquiry into the "brutality" of the security guards.
But Sami Al Askari, a Shiite lawmaker close to President Al Maliki, lashed out at Al Zaidi for what he branded a "shameful act which sullies the reputation of the media".
Meanwhile, the incident has inspired a spate of internet games where the players hurl footwear at moving images of the US president. The games, which have mushroomed online and spread by email, range from animations to cut-up footage of the now-infamous news briefing on Sunday when the incident occurred.
With inputs from agencies.
What is your view of shoes being hurled at leaders as a mark of protest? Is it uncivil or fair? What is your view of the actionby journalist Mountadar Al Zaidi? Do you think George W. Bush's reaction was very sporting? Fill in the form bellow to send your comments.
More from Iraq
More from Region
News Editor's choice
-
Credit profiles in six months
Credit profiles for individuals, firms to be made available to creditors in six months
-
Uncertainty ahead of UP vote
Seven-phase polling begins today in the testing ground for national parties
-
Go shopping with Nol cards soon
RTA in talks with top grocery and supermarket chains on new feature
