Perhaps most Arabs, and many people from all over the world, hate US President George W. Bush and his barbaric policies, ones that have wreaked havoc in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon and Palestine.
Yet, this does not necessarily mean that we agree with the Iraqi journalist who threw both his shoes at Bush with the intention of humiliating him and to symbolise revenge, protest and criticism.
By all means, this act of passion is uncivilised. I realise that many of our Arab readers could be surprised by my opinion, and even disagree with it. As a people, we've often had reactions which tend to be more emotional than reasoned.
Personally, I understand their position without arguing that the journalist would not have dared stage his show if Bush had not utilised all his country's resources to topple the dictatorial regime of Saddam Hussain, since most of our reactions, as Arabs, are emotional rather than reasonable.
Also, I understand that when helpless people have no means of expression, they join the emotional chorus of people who fail to express their opinion in civilised ways and resort to other means.
These people usually react by taking to the streets to express their support, issue statements, give bombastic speeches and compose poetry praising a "heroic act", while forgetting the real acts of heroism, which are shown in resistance of the US occupation by words and arms.
The emotional and unruly protests will turn the spotlight away from the blood of thousands of martyrs who resisted the occupation forces in Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon and Afghanistan.
For further explanation, Arabs without exception condemn and protest the acts of US occupation troops, which invaded Iraq on the grounds of Bush's foolish policies, and committed offences against its people.
From abusing prisoners in Abu Ghraib, raiding houses and terrorising women and children, to putting heavy military shoes on the heads of Iraqi freedom fighters or those suspected of having links with the Iraqi resistance, Arabs are very angry with Bush's policies.
Not to mention how his administration invaded a rich country, made its people poor, displaced millions of Iraqis, looted its natural assets and wasted its economic and cultural resources.
Undoubtedly, these are uncivilised acts by American soldiers, directly stemming from Bush's policies, yet such acts should not be met with an uncivilised response, such as throwing a pair of shoes at Bush during a press conference.
A civilised and legal reaction would have been far more welcome and effective in resisting the occupation and rejecting its barbaric policies as well as using all legitimate means until ending the US occupation of Iraq.
The shoe thrower should have resisted this occupation either by words or arms to go down in history as a hero, instead of putting on a show that only serves as a good topic of discussion for media outlets or talk shows for TV stations.
The journalist's act was of no benefit except for the ordinary shoes, which have become a main topic of discussion in some Arab media, with some wondering what brand the shoes were. Meanwhile, others offered millions to buy them, and some suggested the shoes be kept in our museums as a symbol of struggle and dignity.
Fake heroes
Since we, as Arabs, are now at a stage where cultural confusion and a chronic disability hinder our ability to face challenges in a civilised way, a new series of reactions to the shoe-throwing incident has started. After the arrest of the shoe thrower, many called for him to be referred to court, while others urged against this. This serves as a reminder of our amazing ability to create fake heroes out of nothing, through either chasing after him, trying him or even jailing him.
Yet, the civilised way of handling reckless acts would be to rise above them by forgiving and forgetting, which would erase the act the moment it takes place.
We have seen this pattern of behaviour in civilised countries, including European nations, when angry crowds attacked party leaders and prime ministers with rotten eggs and tomatoes, but these stories ended then and there.
Therefore, while I totally disagree and denounce the act of the Iraqi journalist, who undoubtedly was in a state of frustration and anger at Bush's flagrant violations against his nation and his people, I am at the same time against his trial or imprisonment.
I think the best way to deal with this angry journalist is to set him free and return his shoes as soon as possible in order not to create fake heroes at the cost of real ones. As Arabs, we do not want to see the day when we are told that we have been defeated, and shoes are our sole victory, since shoes are never victorious, even if they fly over the heads of presidents.
Your comments
Desperate people do desperate things. I think what Al Zaidi did was his way of protest against what is happening in his country.
Tahir Khan
RAK,UAE
Posted: December 20, 2008, 13:52
I agree with thr Editor-in-chief thst thr Iraqi journalist should be freed. As he pointed out, everyone in the world knows that Bush's policy in Iraq is wrong.
Jahabar Sathik Hakeem
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: December 20, 2008, 13:16
I really think that the journalist did right thing by hitting Bush with the shoe.
Asif
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 20, 2008, 11:34
The views in this article may be right. But the majority of people are thinking differently.To many people, Bush represents the most heinous anti-human activities against civilization.
Usman Alangadan
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: December 20, 2008, 11:19
I dont think Iraqis who have lost everything would still beleive that civilised protest could work.
Naveed
Lahore,Pakistan
Posted: December 20, 2008, 11:02
I thank the editor-in-chief.This is also my point of view.
Ali
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 20, 2008, 10:53
I totally agree with the comments given above.
Mansoor
Peshawar,Pakistan
Posted: December 20, 2008, 10:29
I agree that the Iraqi journalist was not right when he threw the shoe.
khalif Allah
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 20, 2008, 08:16
The US lost around 2000 people in the 9/11 attacks. Look what thay did to the world in return. They killed millions. How are people expected to act civilised when they lost everything? All their loved ones? I lost nothing but I feel sorry for these people.
Like the article mentioned, most people around the world, inclusive Americans, dont like this man.
Dan
Stockholm,Sweden
Posted: December 20, 2008, 07:01
A very nice article correctly portraying the minds of educated, mature and neutral people.
Guffor Sultan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: December 20, 2008, 06:48
Excellent article. I agree with Abdul Hamid Ahmad that the angry journalist should be set free.
Abdul Malik Khan
New York,USA
Posted: December 20, 2008, 06:15
I agree with some of the points that are mentioned but not all of them.
I am not surprised at the way the journalist acted. It just reflects the anger and the feeling of opression he has within.
Sami
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: December 20, 2008, 01:48
